Day one of competition at the 2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has been called on at North Point, for the first time in World Surfing League history.
A building 4-6ft swell will greet the world’s best surfers as they take on the new location, north of the planned event site at Surfers Point in Prevelly.
First in the water for Heat 1 is eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater, three time champion and Australian Mick Fanning and Italian Leonardo Fioravanti, who impressed the crowds at last year’s event.
Gracetown surfer Bronte Macaulay should be feeling right at home on the North point break, especially with sister Laura by her side.
Laura Macaulay took out the local trials to secure a spot in the Margaret River Pro, making this the first time the sisters have competed in a Championship Tour event together.
“This will be the second time I have competed at this event,” Laura said.
“It will be the first time Bronte and I have done it together, which is so cool.
“The two of us competing together at home with our family watching is going to be so special. I feel really lucky to be able to do this.”
Bronte Macaulay heads into the competition for the first time as a full time Championship Tour competitor, after placing 9th on a wildcard last year.
Macaulay said she was excited to surf at home and was looking forward to some quality waves.
“I’m feeling really relaxed coming into this event,” Bronte said.
“It’s such an exciting time for everyone in the Margaret River region so it’s so special to be a part of it, especially with the fantastic forecast we have on offer.
The goofy-footer said she expected her sister to be a force to reckon with in the water.
“Laura and I have been dreaming about competing in the event together since we were kids and now we finally get to.
“I think she will be really dangerous out here. We are all so stoked and excited for the week ahead.”
Round 1 sees Bronte Macaulay take on Johanne Defay (FRA) and Malia Manuel (HAW) while Laura Macaulay will face fellow Aussies Tyler Wright – last year’s Pro women’s champion – and Keely Andrew.
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Men’s Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Kelly Slater (USA), Mick Fanning (AUS), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA), Stuart Kennedy (AUS), Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Jesse Mendes (BRA)
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW), Frederico Morais (PRT), Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Heat 7: Owen Wright (AUS), Connor O’Leary (AUS), Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Jadson Andre (BRA)
Heat 9: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), Conner Coffin (USA), Joan Duru (FRA)
Heat 11: Julian Wilson (AUS), Josh Kerr (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 12: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Ethan Ewing (AUS)
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Women’s Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Sage Erickson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS), Keely Andrew (AUS), Laura Macaulay (AUS)
Heat 4: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Nikki Van DIjk (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Heat 5: Carissa Moore (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Pauline Ado (FRA)
Heat 6: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Silvana Lima (BRA)