As WA surfers battled it out on the waves off Surfers Point for the WA Trials on Tuesday morning, Tourism Minister Paul Papalia and Member for Warren-Blackwood Terry Redman were at the Margaret River Pro event site to officially launch the 2018 competition.
Joined by competing surfers Stephanie Gilmore, John John Florence, Bronte Macaulay, Sally Fitzgibbons, Caroline Marks and Bells Beach winner Italo Ferreira as well as Margaret River surfer Jack Robinson, Mr Papalia said he was in town to pass on one message.
“That is that we value the Margaret River Pro,” Mr Papalia told the media gathering.
“It is our premier event on the sporting calendar, it is the only one that we have in Western Australia every single year that is a world championship event.
“And we want to retain it.
“I think everyone here should take the opportunity to convey to the World Surfing League that we love this event, we support it, and we’ll be doing everything we can to extend our event into the future.
“I look forward to seeing some magnificent surfing in coming days.”
Mr Papalia acknowledged the traditional Wadandi custodians of the area and thanked indigenous performers for their welcome to country.
“This event is in a magnificent part of the world, it’s a brilliant surfing destination. It’s on the edge of a world class wine and food producing area, it’s in the heart of a world class biodiversity hotspot, and as we have just witnessed, it is the home of the world’s oldest living culture.”
Gracetown surfer Bronte Macaulay is a hometown favourite and the only Western Australian professional competing in the event.
“It’s so nice just to be here, being home in Gracetown is the best thing ever and it’s pretty exciting with the event starting tomorrow,” Macaulay said.
Macaulay said she was keen to see the event continue in the region past the planned two years.
“I hope it goes on forever – I heard they’re redoing the airport in Busselton and that would be really positive to be able to fly straight from Sydney or Melbourne, that could help.”
When asked about the addition of hometown break North Point to the competition, Macaulay said it was her sister’s preferred wave.
“I would love to watch the guys out there, and I’m not very good out there but I’d love to give it a crack,” she laughed.
“It’s a sick wave, it’s on Laura’s forehand and my backhand so she’s definitely better than me out there!
“I went out there this morning, it’s such an epic wave.”
Nicky Lefebvre
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
I am a journalist, photographer and content creator based in the beautiful Margaret River wine region, covering all aspects of our community including local news, sport, entertainment and events, as well as providing a platform for our readers to share their voices direct from regional Australia.
