The Australian leg of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) will continue with Stop No. 5, the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, during its competition window of April 11 – 21, 2024. As the last event before the Mid-Season Cut, Margaret River will be the final decider of who continues on Tour and who will be relegated to the Challenger Series.
Already nearing the halfway mark, the 2024 CT season has delivered non-stop action. From the history-making performances in Hawaii to the incredible battles witnessed in Portugal to the 61st running of the iconic Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, 2024 is proving to be one for the books.
After four action-packed events, held in an array of conditions, Californians Caitlin Simmers (USA) and Griffin Colapinto (USA) head to Western Australia wearing the Yellow Leaders jerseys.
Next Up: The Stunning Western Coast of Australia Awaits
Long regarded as an arbiter of a surfer’s mettle when it comes to powerful, open-ocean swell, Western Australia is now also the test of an athlete’s mental fortitude as they face the chopping block of the Mid-Season Cut.
Historically competed on the left of Margaret River Main Break, recent competition has primarily shifted the action to the other side of the peak, on the shorter, steeper rights. Dialling equipment and perfecting timing are necessary elements of preparation for the world’s best surfers to take on the large southern swells that wrap into the breathtaking south-western coast of Australia. Driving, open-face carves, and dramatic end-section hits over exposed reefs tend to define excellent scores in the primary location, along with the occasional barrel. Meanwhile, the backup location of The Box is entirely centred around deep, technical barrels, the quality of which is unrivalled by many other locations on the planet.
When competition kicks off, we will discover who will rise to the occasion and who will buckle under the pressure. One thing is guaranteed: each and every surfer present will be bringing their A-game in the challenging and dynamic canvas of Australia’s rugged western coast.
Event Wildcards and Injury Replacements Announced
On the weekend, the Think Mental Health WA Trials ran at Main Break and were taken out by former women’s CT Competitor Bronte Macaulay (AUS) and up-and-comer Otis North (AUS), who will make his maiden CT appearance.
George Pittar (AUS) will receive the WSL Wildcard as the third-highest Australian surfer on the Challenger Series rankings while Reef Heazlewood (AUS) takes the Injury Replacement spot for Joao Chianca (BRA).
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Molly Picklum (AUS), Luana Silva (BRA), Alyssa Spencer (USA)
Heat 2: Johanne Defay (FRA), Lakey Peterson (USA), Sophie McCulloch (AUS)
Heat 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA), Sawyer Lindblad (USA), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 4: Caroline Marks (USA), Gabriela Bryan (HAW), India Robinson (AUS)
Heat 5: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW), Tyler Wright (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Heat 6: Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Isabella Nichols (AUS
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Opening Round Matchups:
Heat 1: Barron Mamaiya (HAW), Imaikalani DeVault (HAW), Eli Haneman (HAW)
Heat 2: Jack Robinson (AUS), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Deivid Silva (BRA)
Heat 3: Jake Marshall (USA), Ramzi Boukhiam (MOR), Kelly Slater (USA)
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW), Ian Gentil (HAW), George Pittar (AUS)
Heat 5: Ethan Ewing (AUS), Kade Matson (USA), Reef Heazlewood (AUS)
Heat 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Seth Moniz (HAW), Otis North (AUS)
Heat 7: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Callum Robson (AUS)
Heat 8: Cole Houshmand (USA), Ryan Callinan (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA)
Heat 9: Crosby Colapinto (USA), Yago Dora (BRA), Frederico Morais (POR)
Heat 10: Jordy Smith (RSA), Matthew McGillivray (RSA), Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Heat 11: Rio Waida (IDN), Connor O’Leary (JPN), Samuel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12: Liam O’Brien (AUS), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
Watch LIVE
The Western Australia Margaret River Pro will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition’s Quarterfinals and beyond will continue co-exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.
The Western Australia Margaret River Pro is proudly supported by Tourism WA, Red Bull, Shiseido, YETI, Surfline, True Surf, Eventbrite, Apple Watch, Augusta Margaret River Shire, Healthway, Rusty, Bonsoy, GWM, Oakberry, Bailey Ladders, Boost Mobile, Coopers, Bond University, Bioglan, Weatherguard and Hydralyte.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
