The Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 5 on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), saw a short but moving day of competition with the first four heats of the men’s Round of 16. Main Break hosted the men in three-to-four-foot conditions, but the high tide and strong onshore winds promoted the WSL Commissioner’s Office to put the round on hold until conditions improve. The next call will be tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, at 2:45 pm AWST for a possible 3:03 p.m. start.
World No. 1 Colapinto and No. 3 Florence Through to Quarterfinals
In an early clash of surfing World Champions at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, John John Florence (HAW) emerged victorious over Gabriel Medina (BRA) in the first heat of the men’s Round of 16. Despite early dominance from Medina, Florence steadily closed the gap, securing a crucial 7.00 (out of a possible 10) before clinching the lead in the final two minutes with a 6.90. Medina set out to defend his event title and come back from early losses this season, but ultimately, it was Florence who advanced to the Quarterfinals, adding another chapter to their rivalry.
“That was quite a stressful heat,” said Florence. “Just surfing against Gabe is always fun, and I’ve been surfing against him since we qualified together. I was just so stoked to get that wave in the end and really try to hold together the nerves on it and try to beat him. He’s one of the best competitive surfers of our time. He’s so calculated in what he’s doing in the heat, and I feel like he’s able to think about everything really quickly, so it’s like a constant pressure through the whole heat if you don’t get an early lead on it.”
Current World No. 1 Griffin Colapinto (USA) continues his run in the West after dispatching Morocco’s Ramzi Boukhiam in Heat 3. Establishing the lead with a 12.07 two-wave combined score (out of a possible 20), Colapinto held control and left Boukhiam scrambling to find a back-up wave substantial enough to take the win. Despite Boukhiam’s loss, his earlier qualification for the back half of the 2024 CT marks a significant milestone in his career, offering him a long-awaited chance to showcase his talent after missing his rookie season due to injury.
Event Wildcard George Pittar Continues Dream Run at Main Break
Event wildcard George Pittar (AUS) is on a dream run in his second CT opportunity this month. Pittar defeated Liam O’Brien (AUS) in Heat 4 in dominant fashion, kicking off the opening exchange with a near-perfect 9.00 (out of a possible 10) with a 6.90 backup score to O’Brien’s 6.67 and 2.17. Pittar’s form in the recent Main Break conditions is a serious threat to the field, and he will look to play spoiler when he comes up against Colapinto in the Quarterfinals.
“I can’t even believe what’s going on really,” said Pittar. “I just feel like the waves just keep popping up, and I’m just in the spot. I’ve been enjoying it but definitely a few mistakes in that heat falling on the end sections. I feel like it’s sort of easier coming into this event with less pressure. Everyone’s having to worry about the Cut and they’ve just got so much on the line, and for me, I’m paddling out there and everything is experience for me. I’m enjoying the whole experience and getting to know this wave. It’s actually a really fun wave when you can get on the right ones and it just feels good to put a few heats together on this level and keep the ball rolling.”
Emotional Win for Samuel Pupo, Relegates Brother Miguel to Challenger Series
In a highly emotional heat, brothers Samuel and Miguel Pupo (BRA) faced off in a high-stakes matchup where the outcome would determine one surfer’s relegation to the Challenger Series. Samuel controlled the scoreboard with an excellent 8-point ride and strategic use of priority, making it challenging for Miguel to overcome. As the heat came to a close, emotions ran high, with Samuel in tears and Miguel offering consolation, showcasing the deep bond between them despite the competitive intensity of the moment. Samuel’s win keeps him in contention to stay in the CT, while his older brother will fall off Tour and will need to go back to the Challenger Series to requalify for 2025.
“Without him, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am now,” said Samuel Pupo. “Maybe I wouldn’t be surfing. For me to be in this position, it’s all because of him and to be the one to get him off Tour, it just feels like a loss for me. But he’s really strong. He’s going to come back. He got out of the water smiling, and it looks like he was the guy that won the heat, but that shows how strong he is, but it still hurts so much.”
Mid-Season Cut Scenarios To Come in Men’s Round of 16
When the competition resumes, Mid-season Cut scenarios will be in play in Heats 5 and 6 with Seth Moniz (HAW) and Caio Ibelli (BRA), respectively. Moniz will make the Cut if he defeats World No. 2 Ethan Ewing (AUS). Should he lose, he will be relegated as Samuel Pupo (BRA) would beat Moniz on a tiebreaker. For Heat 6, Ibelli will face Jordy Smith (RSA). Connor O’Leary (JPN), who was eliminated in the previous round, will make the Cut should Moniz or Ibelli lose. Yago Dora (BRA) will make the Cut if both Moniz and Ibelli are eliminated.
The next call will be tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, at 2:45 pm AWST for a possible 3:03 p.m. start.
For highlights from today’s competition at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Round of 16 Results (Heats 1 – 4):
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) 13.90 DEF. Gabriel Medina (BRA) 13.66
HEAT 2: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 13.00 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 10.10
HEAT 3: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.07 DEF. Ramzi Boukhiam (MAR) 8.33
HEAT 4: George Pittar (AUS) 15.90 DEF. Liam O’Brien (AUS) 8.84
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Round of 16 Remaining Matchups (Heats 5 – 8):
HEAT 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Seth Moniz (HAW)
HEAT 6: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
HEAT 7: Jake Marshall (USA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
HEAT 8: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Jack Robinson (AUS)
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: India Robinson (AUS) vs. Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
HEAT 2: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Tyler Wright (AUS)
HEAT 4: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Sawyer Lindblad (USA)
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
