Margaret River trio of Jacob Willcox, Cyrus Cox and Willow Hardy have earned their place among the world’s best surfers, after winning the Drug Aware WA Trials today down at Surfer’s Point.
At just 14 years of age, Willow Hardy is on a roll. Recently crowned Under-18 Girls WA State Champion and winning the Drug Aware Trials today with a combined heat score of 9.10, the upcoming wildcard place puts Hardy into a World Championship Tour event for the first time.
“I just can’t take it in, it feels like a dream, I can’t process it, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity,” said Hardy after being chaired up the stairs at Margaret River Main Break.
It was a repeat of the 2019 Drug Aware WA Trials final for surfers Jacob Willcox and Cyrus Cox, who battled it out in 4-5ft challenging conditions which saw Jacob crowned the winner, but both men gained a wildcard entry into the Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro.
“It’s so fun to surf out there with Cy, he’s been ripping the whole event,” said Willcox. “The waves haven’t been great but I feel like it’s always fun as the conditions for the trials are different every year.”
Narrowly beating Cox with a combined heat total of 15.10 (from a possible 20), Wilcox has been competing in the Drug Aware WA Trials for many years, but his history with the event goes even further.
“It’s an amazing event! I remember coming down here since I was a little kid and how much excitement it brings to the town and all the up and coming groms that love surfing.” Willcox enthused.
With the forecast looking possible for a solid start to the WCT event, local experience will be put to good use. “It sounds like it’s going to be pretty solid,” said Hardy. “Which is good, I like it when it’s a bit bigger.”
“I heard it looks big on Sunday,” Cox echoed. “I’ll need to go through my dad’s boards and see if there’s something I can ride out there.” he laughed.
Willow Hardy defeated Coral Durant (Red Bluff) in the Women’s final, 9.10 to 5.25 respectively, with Jacob Wilcox defending his title against Cyrus Cox 15.10 to 13.10 respectively.
Drug Aware Women’s Final:
1. Willow Hardy (Margaret River) 9.10
2. Coral Durant (Red Bluff) 5.25
Drug Aware Men’s Final:
1. Jacob Willcox (Margaret River) 15.10
2. Cyrus Cox (Margaret River) 13.10
For more information on this or any other WA event be sure to log onto www.surfingwa.com.au and check out all the Surfing WA social media platforms for event updates and information. Further information on the Margaret River Pro can be found at: www.worldsurfleague.com
Drug Aware WA Trials Male Invitees
Jacob Willcox (Margaret River)
Duke Nagtzaam (Yallingup)
Alex McGuffin (Spearwood)
Solomon Pogue-Englert (Gracetown)
Jerome Forrest (Margaret River)
Jed Gradisen (Gracetown)
Max Marsden (Geraldton)
Kael Walsh (Yallingup)
Cyrus Cox (Margaret River)
Luke Campbell (Trigg)
Ben Spence (Margaret River)
George Simpson (Gracetown)
Drug Aware WA Trials Female Invitees
April McPherson (Mandurah)
Emma Cattlin (Yallingup)
Isi Campbell (Denmark)
Coral Durant (Red Bluff)
Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup)
Willow Hardy (Margaret River)
Ruby Berry (Augusta)
Mia McCarthy (Margaret River)
About Drug Aware:
Drug Aware has been delivering these messages across the state since 1996. Drug Aware was established as part of a state framework of educational strategies designed to address illicit drug use among young people in Western Australia. It is the first comprehensive ongoing program on illicit drug education undertaken in Australia. The program seeks to provide honest, credible and evidence-based information to young people in order to help them make informed decisions. www.drugaware.com.au
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