• Florence Posts Highest Heat Score of the Day, Banks His 41st Excellent Wave at Margaret River
• Slater, Lau, Baker, O’Brien, Andino, and Mamiya Keep Qualification Dreams Alive with Opening Round Wins
• Brazilian World Champions Kick into Gear at Main Break

John John Florence (HAW) was the one to beat at Main Break today, posting two back-to-back excellent scores to open his heat. In his ninth event appearance, Florence now has 41 excellent scores to his name here at Margaret River, cementing his connection with the wave as one of the strongest ever between a surfer and a Tour location. The Main Break standout displayed his incredible speed and power on rail as well as a front-side straight air to post an excellent two-wave total of 17.93 (out of a possible 20). Florence left Seth Moniz (HAW) and Carlos Munoz (CRC) in a competition for second place. At the end of the heat, Moniz threw caution to the wind and landed a critical air reverse to advance over Munoz, who is relegated to the Elimination Round.

“That heat, I just surfed how I wanted to surf,” Florence said. “I just surfed one turn at a time and for what the wave offered up for me. I took some confidence out of my result at Bells and feel like I have my season on track now and am just starting to warm up and build my confidence again and get comfortable with my equipment. Once you have good confidence in yourself and your equipment, all you have to do is go out and surf. It’s good to be back here in Western Australia though. This is one of my favourite places in the world, and I have a great connection with the place.”

Kelly Slater (USA) was in top form today as he bested current No. 1 Joao Chianca (BRA) in Heat 6 of the Opening Round. The 11X World Champion is currently in 26th on the rankings and needs this to be the best result of his season in order to make the Mid Season-Cut. The urgency of significant result in Margaret River was evident as Salter turned in his best performance of the 2023 season.

“That heat felt good, it felt nice,” Slater said. “I got on a new board for that heat, and it felt quite a lot better than what I had been surfing, which was nice. This is a big week for a lot of people on tour with the Cut and everything, including me. I always surf my best when I’m coming up against the best or have a massive reason to lift my performance, so I really feel up for the challenge this week. Hopefully, we will get some more good waves. It looks like we will.”

Also needing a big result here at Margaret River is Ezekiel Lau (HAW). Lau has had a slow start to the season, and today marks his second heat win of 2023. He will need to continue this run deep into the draw if he is to save his spot on the CT.

In an all-Australian matchup, Jackson Baker emerged victorious over Ethan Ewing and Jarvis Earle. Baker is currently just over the Cut line and needed this heat win to keep his qualification campaign alive. Baker looked in touch on the open walls of Main Break, showing massive power on his frontside turns. Another Australian who is currently equal with Baker on the Rankings is Liam O’Brien, who posted the second-highest heat total of the day, which included an excellent 9.07 under an extreme amount of pressure. The CT newcomer overcame current World Champion Filipe Toledo (BRA).

“That one wave was really nice,” O’Brien said. “It held its power and speed down the whole line and allowed me multiple sections to hit, and fortunately, I got the timing right on all of them, which felt good. It just felt good to display what I know I’m capable of. Let’s hope I can continue rolling through the next few rounds.”

California’s perennial title hopeful, Kolohe Andino (USA), has found himself in the unfamiliar spot of fighting for his spot on tour as he currently sits in 30th place on the rankings. Andino found a way to thrive under pressure today, putting on an inspired performance at Main Break, which included massive carves, fins-free surfing and aerials, which ended up earning him a heat total of 13.50 which was enough to take the win over Yago Dora (BRA) and Kanoa Igarashi (JPN).

The last heat of the day saw Hawaiian prodigy Barron Mamiya (HAW) take a clutch win over Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) and Callum Robson (AUS) to keep his making-the-cut dreams alive. It was an important heat for all three surfers, with the second-place progression confirming that McGillivray has made the cut, while Robson’s trip to the Elimination Round could be costly for his hopes to continue into the second half of the season.

Similarly to McGillivray, Connor O’Leary (AUS) was able to secure his spot on the second half of the CT with an impressive heat win over Jordy Smith (RSA) and Michael Rodrigues (BRA) in Heat 11 of the Opening Round.

Brazilian powerhouses Italo Ferreira (BRA) and Gabriel Medina (BRA) currently find themselves in 17th and 11th on the rankings, respectively, which is unfamiliar territory for the pair of World Title holders. Their current positions come off the back of lower-than-expected performances in 2023, but today at Main Break, they each seemed to kick into gear, both winning their Opening Round heats. Medina looked in searing form, posting the third-highest total of the day with a 16.00 total for his explosive backside attack.

“The waves are really fun out there today,” Medina said. “It felt nice to get two waves and open up. It’s cool to see the next generation coming up and pushing everyone surfing. It really keeps pushing everyone, which is good for the Tour. The forecast looks great for tomorrow, and everyone is ripping, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the event brings.”

West Aussies and Wildcards Head to Elimination Round 

It was a tough day at the office for the men’s event wildcards and West Australian contingent, with Reef Heazlewood (AUS), Jacob Willcox (AUS), Jerome Forest (AUS), Jack Thomas (AUS), and Jarvis Earle (AUS) all finding their way into the Elimination Round at Margaret River. They all have the opportunity to play spoiler as they come up against the likes of Carlos Munoz (CRC), Michael Rodrigues (BRA), and Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), who are all in desperate need to progress past the Elimination Round if they’re to keep their spot on the CT.

For highlights from the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

• EARLIER UPDATES BELOW
• THURSDAY WEST OZ….Women Go Excellent to Open Western Australia Margaret River Pro
• World Champs Wright and Moore Dominate Opening Round
• Event Wildcard Macaulay Overcomes World No. 1 Picklum
• Rookie Simmers Officially Makes Mid-season Cut
• Callaghan and Nichols Miss Mid-season Cut, Relegated to Challenger Series

In an emotional end to the day, Macy Callaghan (AUS) and Isabella Nichols (AUS) were eliminated from the event and have officially fallen off Tour. They will now turn to the Challenger Series to fight their way back on the CT in 2024. One more spot above the Cut line was claimed by rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA), who showcased her talent brilliantly during the Elimination Round after hearing the good news.

Two-time World Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) looks to have carried her momentum from last week’s win at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach into Day 1 at Main Break, posting the highest heat total of the event so far, a 16.83 (out of a possible 20). Wright’s frontside power hacks were the perfect match for the big open walls as she overcame Johanne Defay (FRA) and Macy Callaghan (AUS) in Heat 2 of the Opening Round. Currently sitting comfortably in 2nd on the rankings, Wright will now be looking to solidify her spot inside the Top 5 heading into the second half of the season.

“I haven’t actually had the prep that I would have liked here,” Wright said. “That was actually my second surf since Bells, so it was nice to get out there and pinpoint your spot and adapt to the wind out there. It’s all a bit different here in the West, so I’m glad to have my bearings and happy to be back in this incredible place.”

The first heat of the day saw Main Break standout Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) take an impressive heat win, posting a 14.00-point two-wave total to overcome Sunshine Coast duo Isabella Nichols (AUS) and Sophie McCulloch (AUS). Moore, a five-time World Champion and two-time winner here at Margaret River is looking to add another event win to her name to take the yellow Leader jersey back from Picklum.

Tour veteran Lakey Peterson (USA) finally found her form here at Main Break, putting together a solid performance to earn a near-excellent heat total of 16.07. Peterson won this event in 2019 and needs another big result this year to climb the rankings and make the Cut, as she is currently in 15th place. Peterson’s impressive heat total was enough to edge out reigning 8-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), who progressed in second place with a solid two-wave combination of 15.00 points.

“It’s hard when you keep getting bad results over and over, but you’re surfing is there,” Peterson said. “I feel like I’ve been surfing well this year, but it feels like I just haven’t had the rhythm. Since Bells I’ve just had to remind myself that I’m living my dream and I’m trying my best so whether I make the cut or not, I’m doing what I can, and I should be happy with that.”

Event Wildcard Macaulay Overcomes Rankings Leader Picklum

Event wildcard Bronte Macaulay (AUS) proved she is a threat to the world’s best, using her local knowledge and backhand attack to overcome current rankings leader Molly Picklum (AUS) in Heat 3. She is looking to improve on her back-to-back equal third-place finishes at Main Break this time around. Her father, Dave, won here in 1989, and she hopes to add to the Macaulay legacy by winning this event

Rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) had a rough start to the day, losing her Opening Round match and being sent to the Elimination Round. But, after receiving news of officially making the Mid-season Cut, she bounced back. The rookie phenom turned in an excellent score of 8.17 and a solid backup of 7.07 to win the first heat of the Elimination Round.

“Really happy about making the Cut,” said Simmers. “That was my goal for this year. I was kind of stressed coming into this event not knowing. I definitely wanted the assurance so it’s pretty nice knowing I made it.”

Both heats of the Elimination Round were must-win situations, as Courtney Conlogue (USA), Macy Callaghan (AUS), Isabella Nichols (AUS), and Brisa Hennessy (CRC) fought to keep their spots on Tour. Tour veteran Conlogue looked confident under pressure in the first heat of the Elimination Round. Her power carves ultimately earned her the win over CT sophomore Callaghan.

Hennessy got off to a quick start in Elimination Round, Heat 2,  throwing two massive turns to earn a 6.50. She then bettered her position, earning her highest score of the match, a 7.27. In a shocking turn of events, defending event winner Nichols couldn’t find a rhythm and was eliminated from the event and cut from the Tour. Callaghan and Nichols will now have to fight their way back to qualify for the 2024 Championship Tour through the Challenger Series.

“It’s crazy to have had the best day of my life on this beach a year ago and today to be having one of my worst,” Nichols said. “That’s competitive sport for you, though–lots of ups and downs. I don’t think I’ve had a great year to this point, and all of the emotions just came out in that heat. I’ll go away and reset and be back ready to go.”

The next call will be tomorrow, Friday, April 21, at 7:15 a.m. AWST for a possible 7:35 a.m. start.

For highlights from today’s competition at the Western Australian Margaret River Pro, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Competition Called ON at Western Australia Margaret River Pro

• Women’s Opening Round to Commence at 7:30 a.m. AWST
• Women’s Elimination Round to Follow
• No Men’s Competition Today

2023 CT Rookie Caitlin Simmers (USA) will have the tough task of taking on 8-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) and former Margaret River event winner Lakey Peterson (USA). Both veterans are lower on the rankings than they would like to be and are hoping to finish stop No. 5 above the Mid-season Cut line.

WSL One Ocean Hosts Coastal Restoration Project Ahead of Margaret River

For the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, WSL One Ocean, formerly known as We Are One Ocean, teamed up on a coastal restoration project with Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, Great Southern Reef Foundation, Margaret River Coastal Residents’ Association, Undalup Association, Shire of Augusta Margaret River and Tangaroa Blue Foundation, to work together in healing the landscape to prevent erosion and to learn more about this incredible ocean ecosystem. The Western Australia Margaret River Pro takes place within the Great Southern Reef, which is an interconnected kelp forest ecosystem that spans across the southern half of the country and is a global biodiversity hotspot. Its rocky reef systems are what make these world-class waves possible.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com/WSLOneOcean.