MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia, Australia (Wednesday, May 21, 2025) – The Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 7 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), returned to The Box for the first time since 2019, allowing a barrel shootout at the shallow-water slab for the first six heats of the men’s Round of 16, before slower consistency and incoming onshore wind forced a move back to Main Break for the final two heats of the round.
The rising onshore wind and increasing swell quickly changed conditions, leading to a decision to call the women’s Round of 16 off for the day, especially with so much on the line for the women’s field regarding the Mid-season Cut and re-qualification for the 2026 CT season. The competition has already been called off for tomorrow, Thursday, May 22, with an update on the call tomorrow for the following days.
Smith Sets the Standard, Moves to World No. 2
The decision to finish the round at Main Break paid off for Jordy Smith (RSA), who delivered a dominant performance as he posted the highest numbers of the event to defeat Marco Mignot (FRA). An opening 7.83 (out of a possible 10) was followed by a 9.50 for a 17.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total as Smith’s explosive railwork lit up the large face of Main Break. The win moved Smith up to World No. 2 on the live rankings, with the potential for the 37-year-old South African to leave Western Australia in the Yellow Leader Jersey. It will be the fourth straight Quarterfinals appearance for Smith, who has tapped into rare form since winning his first event in seven years at Stop No. 4 in El Salvador.
“I was stoked, I started with that seven, and then to get the nine was special, so I was pumped,” Smith said. “I kind of had my strategy for [The Box], and then as we got there, the wind kind of was coming. I was like, ‘Oh, I might need to get an early start before that wind really hits in’. And then they just U-turn, come back, reset. They made a great call, you know, I think they predicted it perfectly. I know it worked out for me in the end.”
Dreams Come True as The Box Makes Triumphant Return
Out of the many surfers excited to see competition return to The Box, trials winner Jacob Willcox (AUS) was potentially the most happy. Despite growing up in Margaret River and competing in the event seven times previously, it was Willcox’s first opportunity to surf in a jersey at one of his favorite waves in the world. Competing against Joao Chianca (BRA), a formidable opponent in waves of consequence, Willcox made it look easy as he navigated the nuances of the reef on his backhand. An 8.17 was the high point of the heat for the West Australian who moved into the Quarterfinals of the Margaret River Pro for the first time, matching his previous best CT result from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in 2019.
“I’ve dreamt of that moment for a long time,” Willcox said. “When I heard they were pretty keen to go to The Box I was so fired up to get through that day competing yesterday. It’s probably not the best Box ever, but just being able to compete out there was so special. That’s something I’ve dreamt of for so long, getting to watch the comp out there a few times and not being involved in it, I was just wishing to have a go. That was a pretty fun heat. Obviously, I don’t think I did as good as I could have done out there. It was kind of hard trying to balance, like, wanting to get the best wave, but then trying to compete as well. I let one go at the end because I just wanted the whole priority. Joao [Chianca] is such a hard competitor, especially for a wave like that. I think he got one at the start that, if he made it, probably would have been a 10. It could have been a completely different story. But yeah, I just had a bit of local luck on my side, I guess.”
Though Barron Mamiya (HAW) had only surfed The Box twice before today, it was unsurprising to see the 25-year-old deliver a masterclass in technique. The back-to-back Pipe Pro winner has dedicated his life to developing his unique barrel-riding skills. Regardless, as soon as he was aware of the possibility of running at the slab today, the North Shore, Oahu local situated himself in the channel to watch Margaret River local Jack Robinson (AUS) free-surfing in order to study his positioning. The dedication paid off as Mamiya threaded barrel after barrel to collect a 15.17 heat total and defeat Jake Marshall (USA).
“That was sick,” Mamiya said. “I was definitely freaking out inside, but I was like, ‘Hey, just be mellow.’ Sometimes in the past, at Pipe or Teahupo’o or certain waves where it gets me super, super excited, and I’m freaking out, I’ll let my emotions get too freaked out, and then I’ll go out there and blow it. So I was kind of just like, alright, stay calm, go out there and just surf a normal heat. And yeah, I got into rhythm, and everything ended up being fun. I got some waves, got some barrels, it was sick.”
Two Japanese teammates from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games faced off when Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) took on Connor O’Leary (JPN). The low-scoring numbers registered didn’t account for the charging that took place between the two. Determined to continue his rise up the rankings and stranglehold on the GWM Aussie Treble leaderboard, Igarashi patiently waited for the bigger, deeper barrels but was unable to find any exits. O’Leary was more active, managing completed rides on lesser waves, to extend his head-to-head record over Igarashi and progress to the Quarterfinals for the first time this season.
Colapinto Brothers Are Quarterfinal Bound: Griffin Scores 9-Point Ride at The Box, Crosby Makes the Cut
Both Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Crosby Colapinto (USA) claimed Round of 16 heat wins today to move through to the Quarterfinals. A lackluster start to the season for the brothers, who both featured in the CT Top 10 in 2024, had them in danger of the Mid-season Cut, especially Crosby, who came into the event well below the Cut-line. After their performances in Western Australia, the two Colapintos were able to confirm their places on Tour as it heads to their home in San Clemente, California, for Stop No. 8.
The younger of the two, Crosby, was able to hold his nerve in the most pressure-filled heat of the day against Jackson Bunch (HAW). It was a do-or-die match for both surfers, with the winner moving above the Cut-line and keeping their place on Tour, and the loser relegated to the Challenger Series. With neither competitor able to score above a 4.50, the heat remained wide open right until the end, when Colapinto was finally able to breathe a massive sigh of relief at making the Cut.
“Out in the water, I had so much emotion coming out of me, I was kind of crying and stuff,” C. Colapinto said. “It’s just wild. I started the year, broke my elbow and then went to Portugal, didn’t really get a result and then El Salvador got a third. I’m like, alright, I’m right back in this, I can do it. And then came over here and lost in the Round of 32 in the first two events over here. So there was a lot of doubt coming into this one. But then, just trying to lean into belief and like all the hard work I’ve done and all the preparation. I was really inspired by Seth [Moniz]’s story last year of coming in here and kind of doing what I just did. So I’m just kind of coming in here with the belief of doing it and then also having this opportunity to create a special moment like this right here.”
Griffin kicked off the day with an excellent 16.00 heat total to defeat Wildcard Mikey McDonagh (AUS), who was eliminated with a two-wave total of 2.43. After opening with an exceptional read on a classic slab barrel for a 7.00, Colapinto defied physics as he was flung into the lip of his second scoring wave by the foamball to completely disappear, only to emerge long after a heavy barrage of spit and earn a 9.00. Colapinto has spent a lot of time at The Box over the years, learning the intricacies of the wave. The 26-year-old Californian continued to catch anything he could even after leaving McDonagh in a solid combination situation.
“I feel like that’s one of the best heats of my life,” G. Colapinto said. “Getting barreled in a jersey is the dream, and I feel like I’ve kind of missed out on that a lot in my career, where like I lose and then the next day is just all-time barreling, you know Teahupo’o or Pipe, and I’m just on the sidelines, just so bummed. And today I woke up and went, wow, I’m in this, like I get to surf in this, you know, and I was just so grateful for that opportunity.”
deVault’s Dream Run Continues, McGillivray Relegated to Challenger Series
The Cut scenario for the men was simplified by the end of competition today. With Crosby Colapinto (USA) making the Cut, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) was bumped below the line, officially relegating the South African back to the Challenger Series. Two surfers now remain in contention for the final remaining position above the Cut-line, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) and the current occupant of the spot, Alejo Muniz (BRA), who was eliminated yesterday. Nothing short of a win will see deVault able to take Muniz’s place.
A win over Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) today sees deVault into his first Quarterfinal appearance of the season, which couldn’t come at a better time as the 27-year-old continues his slow climb up the rankings. At Margaret River last year, the Hawaiian was able to do exactly what he needed to save his place on Tour. With an even higher requirement on the line this year, deVault will next face Jordy Smith (RSA), who today posted the highest scores of the event.
“I’m just really enjoying how I’m surfing in my heats,” deVault said. “I’m just stoked to kind of be putting good performances together. Hopefully the next round has good waves because Jordy [Smith] is probably one of the best out here, so it’s going to be a battle.”
For more information and 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:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 16.00 DEF. Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 2.43
HEAT 2: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 12.16 DEF. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 7.04
HEAT 3: Connor O’Leary (JPN) 8.50 DEF. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 2.50
HEAT 4: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.17 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 5.73
HEAT 5: Jacob Willcox (AUS) 12.50 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 5.87
HEAT 6: Crosby Colapinto (USA) 6.53 DEF. Jackson Bunch (HAW) 3.34
HEAT 7: Jordy Smith (RSA) 17.33 DEF. Marco Mignot (FRA) 7.17
HEAT 8: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) 15.33 DEF. Alan Cleland (MEX) 8.26
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
HEAT 2: Connor O’Leary (JPN) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 3: Jacob Willcox (AUS) vs. Crosby Colapinto (USA)
HEAT 4: Jordy Smith (RSA) vs. Imaikalani deVault (HAW)
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) vs. Bella Kenworthy (USA)
HEAT 2: Caroline Marks (USA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
HEAT 3: Caitlin Simmers (USA) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRC)
HEAT 4: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN)
HEAT 5: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
HEAT 6: Sawyer Lindblad (USA) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
HEAT 7: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Vahine Fierro (FRA)
HEAT 8: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)
Watch LIVE
The Western Australia Margaret River Pro will hold a competition window through May 27, 2025. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, and the free WSL App. Check out more ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.
The Western Australia Margaret River Pro is Proudly Supported by Tourism WA, Red Bull, YETI, Surfline, True Surf, Bonsoy, GWM, Stone & Wood, Oakberry, Hydralyte, Bioglan Boost Mobile, Bond University, Fatboy Bikes, Rusty, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, and Spudshed.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
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