SURFING conditions continue to be flat for the Margaret River Pro today, but surfers are still buzzing after receiving highly-contested awards at the Surfing WA State Champion and WA Surfer of the Year Awards night.
Taj Burrow, Felicity Palmateer, Jacob Willcox and Yadin Nichol took out the four specific categories in the Surfer of the Year awards, standing out among more than 200 surfers present.
The awards are named in honour of four of Western Australia's finest surfers: Ian Cairns, Jodie Cooper, Murray Smith and Mike McAuliffe.
Burrow claimed the Ian Cairns Award for WA Male Surfer of the Year – his 11th since first winning the award in its inaugural year of 1999.
"This award is something I don’t take lightly and despite winning it numerous times, it is still something I strive for each year," Burrow said.
The Yallingup surfer is cementing his name as the best surfer of all time to come out of WA. After another stellar year on the World Championship Tour (WCT), he won two events at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast and the Cold Water Classic in Santa Cruz.
Perth's Felicity Palmateer has wowed spectators this week and by finishing 14th on the ASP Women's Tour last year, winning the trials of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, and defeating five-times world champion Steph Gilmore, she received the Jodie Cooper Medal for WA Female Surfer of the Year.
"I'd like to thank my family and friends for all their support and for Surfing WA putting on such an excellent evening for us all,” Palmateer said.
Yadin Nicol of Gracetown took out the Mike McAuliffe Award for Exceptional Performances, following his fifth-place finish at the Pipeline event, where he scored a perfect 10-point ride.
Local surf school owner and former professional surfer Josh Palmateer accepted the award on Yadin's behalf as he is currently in America recovering from an injury.
"Everyone know's how much of a legend Mike is and I think everyone would be stoked to have this award on their mantelpiece,” Josh said. “Yades would be over the moon."
The Murray Smith WA Junior Surfer of the Year was hotly contested with a number of fresh faces displaying their talent throughout the year.
Jacob Willcox, Kael Walsh and Jack Robinson all from the South-West received nominations for their performances in state, national or international events. Despite an exceptional year from all, Jacob Willcox dominated the state and national ranks and won almost every event he entered in 2012 to take the award.
Willcox was awarded a wildcard into this year’s Margaret River Pro and took down world #5 Adriano De Souza of Brazil in his opening heat.
"This is a massive honour for me and I hope it helps me with my next heat out here," Willcox said.
Surfing WA announced their 38 state surfing champions and 36 runners-up from four separate disciplines (shortboard, longboard, bodyboard and stand-up paddle) in a celebration and recognition of our sport's best.
"It is vital to recognise and honour the achievements at the grass roots of competitive surfing in WA,” Surfing WA event manager Justin Majeks said.
Competitors in the Margaret River Pro are currently on standby for a possible afternoon start as the swell begins to fill back in at Surfers Point.
See our Margaret River Pro page to catch up on what's happened in the event so far.
