Day one of competition at the 2017 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro was called on at North Point on Wednesday morning, for the first time in World Surfing League history.
A building 4-6ft swell was still filling in as eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater, three time champion and Australian Mick Fanning and Italian rookie Leonardo Fioravanti took to the water, notching up relatively low scores.
Slater marked a 8.07 two-wave score against Fanning’s 6.67, while Fioravanti had to settle for third.
The heat sees Slater progress to round three while Fanning faces Kanoa Igarashi in a sudden death match up next round.
Rides improved along with the waves throughout the day, Hawaiian John John Florence stamping his mark on the competition with the highest score of the day (13.67) in his heat against Portugal’s Frederico Morais and WA wildcard entry Jacob Wilcox.
Wilcox showed improved form in the warm up, and despite his convincing defeat at the hands of the Hawaiian, will get a second chance later this week.
Last year’s Pro champion Sebastian Zietz (HAW) had to wait until after 5pm for his heat, facing Australian Ethan Ewing and Brazilian surfer Filipe Toledo.
Fifteen minutes into the round all three surfers were still to catch a wave, and the round was restarted.
Zeitz saved the best until last with a blinding barrel that earned him a perfect ten, and a total score of 14.83, easily besting his opponents.
Crowds at Surfers Point, where the main event site is erected, were small as news of the site relocation spread through fans in town for the competition.
Conditions were raw and almost out of control at the Point, with Mainbreak hosting about five die hard keen big wave surfers.
Boatramps was also powerful and raw with another half dozen surfers making their way out.
Rumours continue to circulate that competition could be moved back to Surfer’s Point as early as Thursday, with conditions improving and organisers keen to make the most of the purpose-built facilities.
- With Surfing Margaret River
