WA top guns aim for wildcard entry as Margaret River Pro looms large
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Mikaela Greene of Yallingup – Photo: Woolacott
Mia McCarthy – Photo: Woolacott
Felicity Palmateer – Photo: Sproule
Jacob Willcox – Photo: Majeks
Jack Robinson – Photo: Supplied
For a group of Western Australian surfers, the action at Margaret Rivers Main Break has already begun, a week ahead of the start of competition in the 2018 Margaret River Pro.
“I feel my best right now – Im with my family, Im feeling in tune and grounded. Ive been back in Margaret River for over a week now and Ive surfed Main Break every day,” said 25 year old Felicity Palmateer, full time WQS surfer and South West local.
Palmateer will compete alongside fellow WA surfers at the Drug Aware WA Trials on April 10, the day before competition begins for the WSL event.
The winners of the male and female competitions will win a wild card entry into the Margaret River Pro.
“After a couple of good Big Wave events and the experience Ive gained in some CT events and in the QS, Im really motivated and my goal is to qualify for the CT,” Palmateer said.
“A few years ago I missed out on qualifying for the CT by one spot and I wasnt feeling my best then. Why wouldnt I try now when Im feeling my best? I want to live without regrets.”
Its a common thread amongst her fellow Trials challengers, with Margaret Rivers Jack Robinson revealing he is feeling confident.
“Im feeling the best Ive ever felt. I feel ready,” the full-time World Qualifying Series (WQS) surfer said.
At just 20 years of age, Robinson has contested the WA Trials five times previously.
“I did get a wildcard entry into the Pro that that WSL granted back in 2016, but I didnt do well then, I got knocked out early,” he said.
“My goal is to qualify for the CT. Im working towards that every day, always training, keeping up good nutrition and the like. The WA Trials is a great opportunity.”
“Having the Pro in Margaret River is really inspiring – I grew up going to it every year and now Im surfing against some of the competitors I used to watch. It gives kids inspiration and its great that they can watch their heroes surf here.”
Cottesloes Jake Edwards earned himself a place to compete in the WA Trials when he won the HIF WA Pro Am in Margaret River earlier in the year.
The 21 year old is studying law and commerce at Notre Dame University and fits surfing around his studies.
“Im feeling pretty good about the Trials. Im taking it seriously and Ive been surfing Main Break all week and getting some coaching,” Jake said.
“Its every surfers dream to compete in the main event. Its a great opportunity.”
Gracetown surfer Laura Macaulay, 26, is in the final stage of completing her physiotherapy degree from Curtin University and is excited about her next step.
“The past couple of years Ive prioritised my studies to finish my degree and Im almost there.
“Im now deciding whether to really focus on my surfing or join the workforce. With surfing, the ultimate goal would be to compete in the CT with Bronte,” Macaulay said of her younger sister, the only West Australian competing in the sports top tier.
“I feel really lucky to have a place in the Trials because its such a good opportunity to take my surfing up a level and an opportunity to surf locally,” said Macaulay.
“Were lucky to have a CT event at home, it definitely inspires all local surfers.
“Surfing Main Break is pretty prestigious even if its not my favourite wave –North Point is – but when you get a good wave at Main Break you feel pretty amazing.
“Id love to see the Pro take place at North Point. Its a wave that doesnt break very often, but when it does its really amazing. If the swell was big enough and clean enough, I reckon its be great to watch – Im sure some of the surfers would get some great air!”
Margaret River surfer Jacob Willcox has won the WA Trials for the last two consecutive years and competed as wildcard entry in the Pro.
“Whenever you surf at the Pro, you learn about competitive surfing and push yourself more because youre against best in the world. It does makes you raise the bar as a competitor and you push yourself more, for sure,” said Willcox.
This year is the 33rd edition of the Margaret River Pro and will be held at Surfers Point from April 11, with competition taking place on waves at Main Break, The Box and North Point.
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