Three West Australians have earned a place to compete in the Margaret River Pro held at Surfers Point in Prevelly.
A total of four West Australian surfers will now compete after the WA Trials – Dave Delroy-Carr, Kael Walsh, Mikaela Green and full-time CT surfer, Bronte Macaulay.
World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour surfer Jeremy Flores withdrew to be with his family after the birth of his first baby, opening up an place for the runner up of the men’s Drug Aware WA Trials to compete in the main event.
Winner of the Drug Aware WA Trials in the men’s Dave Delroy-Carr and runner up Kael Walsh will both be competing in their first CT event.
Margaret River local Delroy-Carr, who is also part of the Margaret River Pro water patrol team, said he was super excited to compete in the main event.
“I’ve been watching the Pro for years, from the channel on a jet ski mostly, and it feels really good to win the Trials knowing I’m going to compete in the Pro with the big boys,” 28-year-old Delroy-Carr said.
“I’ve surfed in a few QS events before but it doesn’t get any bigger than a CT event – this’ll be my biggest event for sure, and on my home break. I’m stoked.”
Second-placed Walsh, 18, said competing in the Margaret River Pro has been a dream since he was a young.
“I’m feeling really happy, overwhelmed actually, to be able to surf in the Margaret River Pro. I know Jeremy (Flores) and want to give him a hug for withdrawing – and also congratulate him on his baby girl,” said Walsh, a Yallingup local.
“My goal is to make the CT and I’m just so stoked to be surfing in the Pro – it’s a dream come true to be able to surf in front of the whole world.”
Delroy-Carr won the Drug Aware WA Trials final with 15 points over Walsh who scored 13.75.
Local favourite Jacob Willcox was a late withdrawal and didn’t compete, while another hot local favourite Jack Robinson bowed out in the semi-finals.
In the women’s, Mikaela Greene (Yallingup) defeated former CT surfer Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) 11 points to 5.5.
Greene, who flew in from Spain yesterday, said this was the biggest win of her career.
“I’ve been watching the Pro since I was a girl and I’m really on cloud nine right now,” said Greene, a full-time QS surfer.
“I’ve never surfed in a CT before and surfing Main Break is a challenge but I think winning a few QS events has been a good stepping stone.
“WA is so isolated and it’s so great to have a CT event here, in my backyard. It’s massive and attracts a lot of attention to Margaret River showcasing the beautiful coastline, the wineries and area.
“We’re in a great position to promote a healthy, active life style and spread the Drug Aware message, it’s a great initiative,” the 23-year-old from Yallingup said.
Laura Macaulay finished a semi-finalist, while Felicity Palmateer was eliminated in round 2.
Conditions this morning were near perfect with a light offshore breeze and a swell in the 4 to 6 foot (2.0m metre) range.
Surfing WA Event Director Justin Majeks said it was the best conditions for the WA Trials in recent years.
“Margaret River turned it on today. Despite a few patches of rain, the surf conditions were amazing this morning,” Majeks said.
“We’ve got a promising swell forecast for the opening part of the waiting period with a large ground swell and favourable conditions towards the back end of this week – it should be exciting.
“I’d like to congratulate all participants, and especially the winners. We’ll be cheering them on and we wish them the very best competing in surfing’s top tier event.”
Twelve male surfers and nine female surfers competed in the Drug Aware WA Trials.
