As the world's best surfers gathered at Surfers Point to ring in the 2019 Margaret River Pro, local surfers Jacob Willcox and Mia McCarthy earned the opportunity to join the touring athletes on the first day of competition by taking out the Drug AwareWA Local Trials on Tuesday. McCarthy joined Coco Ho and current world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the water early on Wednesday morning, posting a combined wave score of 8.06 against the stronger performances of Ho (15.23) and Gilmore (12.50). Willcox will meet Brazilian surfers Gabriel Medina and Deivid Silva in Heat 5 of the first round of the men's competition. As the highest placed WA surfer in the 2019 Qualifying Series, fellow Margaret Riverian Jack Robinson took the wildcard entry to this year's event and will face a tough heat against Filipe Toledo and Sebastian Zietz in the first round. Gracetown's own Bronte Macaulay said the Margaret River Pro was of particular significance to her and the Macaulay clan. "This event means a lot to me because I've been coming to watch it since I was at school and we'd come here on excursions," Macaulay said. "I know it also means so much to all of the locals, especially the groms. "I surfed with a few local girls this morning and they were all frothing for the Rising Tides event and were so excited they couldn't sleep last night, so I know it means so much to everyone around here. "We really are so lucky to call this place home. It's such a crazy, rugged coastline with all of these different types of waves and fresh clean water. "Everyone that lives in the small town is so happy because of what we have. "I've had a few really heartbreakingly close heats this year, but I feel like I'm continuing to learn and improve which is great." Macaulay will have the hometown crowds behind her in Heat 6 of the Seeding Round when she does battle with Malia Manuel (HAW) and Lakey Peterson (USA).
As the world's best surfers gathered at Surfers Point to ring in the 2019 Margaret River Pro, local surfers Jacob Willcox and Mia McCarthy earned the opportunity to join the touring athletes on the first day of competition by taking out the Drug AwareWA Local Trials on Tuesday.
Photo: Surfing WA / Majeks
McCarthy joined Coco Ho and current world champion Stephanie Gilmore in the water early on Wednesday morning, posting a combined wave score of 8.06 against the stronger performances of Ho (15.23) and Gilmore (12.50).
Willcox will meet Brazilian surfers Gabriel Medina and Deivid Silva in Heat 5 of the first round of the men's competition.
Bronte Macaulay is stoked to be competing at home on the South West coast. Photo: WSL/Dunbar
As the highest placed WA surfer in the 2019 Qualifying Series, fellow Margaret Riverian Jack Robinson took the wildcard entry to this year's event and will face a tough heat against Filipe Toledo and Sebastian Zietz in the first round.
Gracetown's own Bronte Macaulay said the Margaret River Pro was of particular significance to her and the Macaulay clan.
"This event means a lot to me because I've been comingRead More – Source
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