All eyes are on Western Australia as the Championship Tour heads to Margaret River for the fifth stop of the year and the final event before the dreaded mid-season cut.
And with plenty of swell in the water – and more on the way – competitors had a few days to prepare for the competition with some warm-up sessions at Margaret River’s Main Break. Peep the clip below:
Per the WSL:
“Featuring John John Florence, Gabriel Medina, João Chianca, Caio Ibelli, Liam O’Brien, Jordy Smith, Callum Robson, Barron Mamiya, Nat Young, Connor O’Leary, Italo Ferreira, Leonardo Fioravanit, Filipe Toledo, Kolohe Andino, Jacob Willcox, Michael Rodrigues, and Matthew McGillivray.
“The Mid-season Cut is here and Margaret River is a battle for survival. The full Championship Tour enters, but only the top 22 men and 10 women advance. In Western Australia’s powerful surf, who will make the cut and continue their hunt for a World Title, and who will leave headed for the Challenger Series?”
Conspicuously absent from the free surf warm-up sessions is none other than Kelly Slater who, sitting at 26th place on the rankings, faces potential elimination if he doesn’t secure a solid result in West Oz (likely a semifinal finish or better). But Slater has had plenty of practice out at Margs, more so than any other surfer currently on Tour; and he’s known for his last-minute heroics.
Also absent from the clip – aside from a single ride from John John Florence – is The Box, the alternative venue for Margaret River. With a solid forecast incoming for the event, fans and (some) surfers are hoping for a crack at the heaving righthand slab.
For the official forecast, Surfline Forecaster Schaler Perry writes:
“Rippable SW swell with nice wind to start the event. Stronger surf, less favorable wind leads into middle of the window. A couple of quality days possible through back half of the event window.”
Stay tuned for the Margaret River Pro, running from April 20th – 30th.
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