Surfers battled strong winds and large swells on the opening day of the inaugural Mandurah Pro at Gearies Beach on Sunday.
The World Surf League (WSL) men’s and womens’ Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event tested the field of contenders who converged on WA from six different nations to compete.
The opening event of the Western Australian Pro Surf Series saw men’s and momen’s round one heats completed in windswept 3-4 feet surf.
Building swell, lumpy seas and squally rain made the going tough for surfers and spectators alike.
But Maddy Job (Burleigh Heads, AUS) made light work of the conditions, finding the best waves and steepest sections of on offer and building momentum on the long walling left hander.
Job threw his board vertically multiple times to be rewarded with an excellent 8.00 (from a possible 10), on his wave to an impressive round one win.
He scored a back up 5.50 to finish on a combined total of 13.50 (from a possible 20).
“It was a nice little double up that hugged the reef and just kept giving me opportunities,” said Job on reflection of his excellent ride.
“This is my first time coming to Mandurah and I’m stoked we’ve got some waves and I’m stoked to be into the next round.”
Luke Campbell (Margaret River) flew the flag for the local West Australian surfers, winning his opening heat and using his smooth and powerful approach to throw big fans of spray and post a two-wave total of 12.00 from a possible 20.
“I haven’t surfed in over a month, but to throw the jersey on is something I love,” he said.
“I’ve done plenty of laps on the QS and it’s so great to have this event here in WA.”
Others to shine in round one included winners Callum Robson (Evans Head, AUS), Alex Mainiatis (GRC), Hinata Aizawa (Burleigh Heads, AUS), Jed Gradisen (Gracetown, AUS), Harry McPherson (Mandurah, AUS) and Benjamin Hucker (Shelly Beach, AUS), who will all surf again on Monday in round two.
Claire Bevilacqua and Sophia Fulton (Mollymook, NSW) made their impact felt as the women’s heats hit the water.
Bevilacqua, a former WSL Championship Tour competitor, showed her competition experience finding great waves and linking major manoeuvres to move through on a combined total of 12.00 (from a possible 20).
“It’s definitely a wild and wooly west Aus day, but when the swell is up like here on these reef breaks it’s actually really good,” said Bevilacqua.
“It’s a dream come true to have events like this, although I’m now representing Italy I’m still a proud West Australian and that was a great heat with heaps of opportunity and everyone catching plenty of waves.”
Sophia Fulton looked dangerous as she clawed her way to a gutsy win with some powerful backhand surfing on display, as she ripped the highest individual score of the round with 8.00 (from a possible 10).
“I’m really happy I got those last couple of waves as I was getting a little worried in such a tight hear,” Fulton said.
“It’s always good to win at a spot you’re surfing for the very first time, that gives me confidence going into the next round.”
Coral Durant (Red Bluff, WA) and Jess Grimwood (Bateu Bay, AUS) also won their round one heats.
Conditions are set to improve on Monday with light and variable conditions on offer.
All heats and results will be available live via worldsurfleague.com.
