Anticipation Swells for the Margaret River Pro

This year, the 34th Margaret River Pro has moved from its usual place as third stop on the WSL tour, to fourth, pushing the event a little later and taking place from May 27th – June 9th.

The WSL (World Surfing League) Championship Tour attracts the best 34 male and 17 female surfers in the world to Margaret River each year. Grab your board and round up some mates and get along for the action.

The first Margaret River Pro was held in 1985 and the judges’ area was nothing more than a double-decker bus parked at Surfer’s Point. Nowadays, it’s a top-tier competition with three breaks on offer. Thousands of spectators are attracted to mainbreak, generating an economic boost to the region to the tune of over $5 million.

The entire event, including new initiatives, is entirely free, with an option to purchase passes for the VIP tent at the point. Watching the event on the lawn is a fantastic spectator experience with big screens playing replays, expert commentary, food trucks, merchandise stands, and groms lining the surfer walkways to collect autographs and selfies.

New initiatives this year include a Healthy Habits festival, held at the recently opened Margaret River Skate Park. From May 27th – May 31st, kids and parents can hit up the skate park and adjacent zone room from 3.30pm – 6pm for live music, movies, daily DJ’s, a photobooth, jewellery making, free snacks, and prizes worth up to $5000!

If you want to embrace the festival scene while visiting the region for The Pro, get your tickets to The Drop Festival, happening on June 1st. Supported by triple j, the event will headline Angus and Julia Stone and The Jungle Giants.

Another new initiative is the world’s first climate change summit held in conjunction with The Pro. Developed in partnership with Surfing WA and the Augusta Margaret River Shire, the summit will focus on sustainability, the environment, and reducing our carbon footprint.

CEO of Surfing WA, Mark Lane said that “The Margaret River Pro has a good track record in regards to looking after the environment.”

“The Pro has reduced onsite emissions by 70 per cent in the past three years and there’s a massive amount of recycling done as it moves towards a zero plastic policy in 2020.

“The event policy is to use biodegradable products, the competition rashies and clothing are made from recycled plastic, the fencing mesh is recycled, and vendors are strongly encouraged not to use plastic straws.”

The climate change satellite event is the first of its kind, offering proactive and focused environmental awareness messages with support from the world’s best surfers, local community groups, and passionate speakers including comedian and writer Ben Elton.

Main Break will host the Drug Aware WA Trials the day before the Margaret River Pro begins, which guarantees a place for one female and one male Western Australian surfer to compete alongside the world’s best.

And who are the world’s best? Well competing in Margaret River this year you’ll find the likes of John John Florence, Stephanie Gilmore, and local surfing inspiration Bronte Macaulay. So plan your posse, pack the board, and get down to Margaret River to watch them compete for World Surf League Championship Tour points over the 12 day period.

With free entry to events, free shuttle bus transfers, and a dozen satellite events to get along to, there are no excuses not to attend this premier surfing contest.

• Event webpage here 
• Purchase VIP Event Passes here
• Check out The Drop Festival here