Who will win the Margaret River Pro: experts have their say

Past champions, surfing legends, sports personalities, politicians, acclaimed chefs and sports reporters share their tips on who they think will win.

Tom Carroll won 1986,1987 and 1992 Margaret River Pro and the 1983 and 1984 ASP World Champion.

Men's tip:  Hard to say, it's wide open and such a tightly contested competition. My feeling is that Gabriel Medina will have a good go at winning.

Women’s tip:  It’s hard to pick as there’s so much competition, but I have a feeling Tyler Wright might win it.

WATCH: Tyler Wright talk about her 2015 title aspirations.

1988 World Champion Barton Lynch who spent 15 years on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) clocking up 17 WCT victories says the conditions will determine the winner.

Men’s:  It’s difficult to say because certain surfers are suited to certain conditions. My gut feel is that John John Florence and Gabriel Medina both have a good chance.

Women’s: I think Tyler Wright or Carissa Moore will be strong contenders.

WATCH: Highlights of John John Florence in 2014. 

Ian Cairns was a pro surfer instrumental in shaping the sport to the professional levels it enjoys today. He founded the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) in 1983.

Men's: I like the power surfers but think the goofy's have an advantage on either the lefts or the rights. My picks are Gabriel Medina or Owen Wright.

Women's: The top girls are amazing - Carissa Moore or Tyler Wright

WATCH: Owen Wright tearing it up in the south of France. 

A Yallingup local pro surfer who won the 1996 ASP World Qualifying Series tour, the Pipeline Masters in 1998 and the Margaret River Pro that same year.

Men’s: I think John John Florence has a good chance to win. He’s won it before and has all the bags of tricks to do it again.

Women’s: Stephanie Gilmore is my pick for the women’s

WATCH: Hear what the other women on tour think of Stephanie Gilmore's talents. 

Dave ‘Maca’ Macaulay is a local surfing pro and winner of the 1989 Margaret River Pro who finished third on the ASP World Championship Tour in 1989 and 1993. His daughter Bronte is now surfing in the WSL Women’s CT and youngest daughter Laura is competing in the WA Trials to win a wild card entry into the Pro.

Men’s:  Dusty Payne is my tip.

Women’s: I think Tyler Wright.

WATCH: Dusty Payne surfing with a GoPro. 

Not many people can boast beating Kelly Slater in a Championship Tour heat, but Prevelly local Jacob Wilcox can. As a 16-year-old wild card entry in the CT event in Portugal, he beat the 11-time world champion in a the first round in 2013. Jacob won the ISA under 16 World Title in 2013 and won two junior tour events in 2014.

Men’s: It depends on the conditions. I’m going to have to go with one of my favourite surfers, Mick Fanning. It’ll come down to experience and knowledge of the wave. Jordy Smith and Michel Bourez could also do well. We’ll have to wait and see on the day.

Women’s:  Would love to see Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler Wright or Sally Fitzgibbons take the win. Carissa Moore is surfing really well at the moment – but I’d love to see Aussie to win.

WATCH: Sally Fitzgibbons talk about travelling the world as a surfer

Danny Green is a four-time world champion boxer and proud Western Australian.

I love surfing but I’m no expert, I’m just a spectator. It’s difficult to pick because it’ll depend on the conditions. It would be awesome if the surf is massive. In Margs, the sets can come out of nowhere. I’d have to say whoever wins Bells would be in with a good chance.  I’ll be backing an Aussie that’s for sure.

Men’s: It’s impossible to predict but will be hoping the legend Mick Fanning, Parko (Joel Parkinson) or Owen Wright do well. Although you can’t look past John John Florence.

Women’s: Stephanie Gilmore or Sally Fitzgibbons. Steph is an incredible surfer and consummate professional, but again, it’ll depend on the conditions.

WATCH: Joel Parkinson surfing in Newcastle Harbour. 

Colin Barnett has been the Premier of Western Australia since 2008. He lives close to the coast, enjoys the ocean and is an avid supporter of the Pro.

Men's tip: I’m backing Taj Burrow in the Men’s draw.

Women's tip: Stephanie Gilmore - if only because Margaret River is a favourite place for her to visit and surf!

I’m hoping a couple of young Western Australian surfers that get Wildcards into the Pro take a few scalps. Keep an eye on Bronte Macauley and Jack Robinson!

WATCH: Jack Robinson's return from a serious injury in 2013. 

Mia Davies is Western Australia’s first female Sports Minister. She’s loves the beach and is passionate about getting people of all ages, active.

Men’s: I agree with the Premier – it’s got to be the local boy Taj Burrow but I am told that rising star Owen Wright is well suited to the conditions.

Women’s: Steph Gilmore is well overdue to take out the Pro but I will be more excited if one of the Macaulay girls – Bronte or  Laura - make it into the main draw and cause a few upsets. 

WATCH: Highlights of Taj Burrow in the surf at Trestles. 

Russell Blaikie is an acclaimed local chef, a partner of Must in Highgate and founder of the Surfing Chefs charity that fundraises for SurfAid.

Men’s:  Mick Fanning for sure. Word is he’s on fire

Women’s:  Sally Fitzgibbons. She’s been surfing really well and I think this is her year for a World Championship.

WATCH: Mick Fanning enjoying the swell at his home beach on the Gold Coast. 

Tony Howell is an award-winning chef based in Margaret River, Executive Chef at Aravina Estate and a keen surfer and part of the Surfing Chefs charity that raises money for Surf Aid. Tony will be cooking for the world’s best female surfers at a special dinner when they are in Margaret River.

Men’s:  Taj Burrow is my pick. Cheering on the local lad.

Women’s: Stephanie Gilmore – Australian all the way!

WATCH: The rise and rise of Steph Gilmore. 

Mike Best is a company director, Surfing WA Chairman, daily beachgoer, retired short boarder, novice long boarder, father of three body boarders and owner of a bodysurfing poodle.

Men’s:  Kelly Slater to win the men’s because he will be hungry after being knocked out before the quarter finals at Bells by current world champ Gabriel Medina.  He will also want to show everyone that he’s not actually retiring, after his April Fools Day post that Bells would be his last comp.

Women’s:  I think Steph Gilmore will win the women’s because she seems to like it here and she’s a bloody legend.

WATCH: Kelly Slater on a late night surfing session. 

Long standing Seven News presenter and dedicated wave rider, Rick Ardon, first wanted to pay tribute to Surfing WA for all they have done for Sean Pollard who survived a shark attack in Esperance in October 2014 where he lost both his arms.

“More than $100,000 has been raised to buy Sean – a dedicated surfer – prosthetic arms so he can get back out in the barrels again.  Surfing WA played a big part in that by donating a surfboard signed by all the top surfers including Kelly Slater and VIP access to the Pro that was auctioned at a recent event. It’s important we do this for Sean – only a surfer knows the feeling.”

Men’s:  Mick Fanning would be a top pick. But I would love Taj Burrow to win being a local – and I’d love him to win for his parents Nancy and Vance. Vance still takes on the big waves around Elephant and Bears. Big surf is in Taj’s pedigree and now’s the time for him to stand up on that barrel and take the title.

Women’s: Would love Stephanie Gilmore to win. Great competitor and great survivor – she’s just a wonderful person. Hopefully Stephanie will do for Australia

WATCH: Taj Burrow surfing in Shonan

Tim Gossage is the sport presenter on Ten News and says he’s someone who can’t balance on a board that’s laying on the shop floor.

Men’s:  Brazil’s Wiggolly Dantas to win the men’s  – is there a better name in world sport at present?

Women’s:  Carissa Moore to win the women’s – winning form is good form ahead of Margs.

WATCH: Highlights of Wiggolly Dantas.

Michael ‘Thomo’ Thomson is the sport presenter on Perth’s Nine News.

Men’s: It’s been a long time, but would love to see the Taj Burrow win. Local lad, huge following here in the West and would be popular win. Plus he deserves it.

Women’s: My pick is Steph Gilmore to win the women’s.

WATCH: Highlights of the 2014 Drug Award Margaret River Pro finals.