Local surfers have benefitted from a home ground advantage with the World Surf League (WSL) Cape Naturaliste Pro kicking off in testing conditions at Yallingup Main Break on Thursday.
Mens Round 1 heats were completed in unruly and windswept swells with surfers battling the elements on the opening day of Yallingups first ever WSL Qualifying Series event.
The Cape Naturaliste Pro QS1,000 is the second event of the WA Pro Surf Series and powerful six-foot surf provided a challenge for the international field of surfers who have converged to compete.
Yallingup surfers Felix Leaver, Zak Ogram, Jack Thomas and Josh Cattlin all used their local knowledge to perfection, winning their opening round heats in style in front of a supportive crowd.
Felix Leaver started his campaign strongly powering through the lumpy seas with ease.
Picking off the best-shaped waves on offer, Leaver smashed the right-handers at Yallingup to score a two-wave combined total of 12.10 (from a possible 20) that included a heat high 7.25 (from a possible 10).
“It's pretty tricky out there, you need to pick the eyes out of it to find the good ones,” said Leaver.
“Im stoked to get that one out of the way and with a tricky forecast its good to get a few waves out at Yalls as I dont surf here that much.”
Zak Ogram also who found the conditions to his liking, using his powerful surfing to post the highest combined total on Day 1.
Ogram, a local surfboard shaper amassed 13.50 and will be a surfer to watch if the conditions reaming challenging.
“Ive surfed out there a thousand times when its like this, so Im stoked its finally paying off,” said Ogram.
“It was actually good fun out there, when it onshore like this the waves can actually stand up and provide some sections, Im stoked to have a win and be moving through.”
Others to shine in the difficult Round 1 conditions included; Callum Robson (Evans Head, AUS), Jake Edwards (Cottesloe, AUS), Maddy Job (Burleigh Heads, AUS), Hinata Aizawa (Burleigh Heads, AUS), Ben Gradisen (Gracetown, AUS) and Riley Laing (Central Coast, AUS), who all progressed through to Round 2 of competition.
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Margaret River Mail
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