The World Surf League Tour heads to the South West this week with the event set to kick off on Wednesday at Mainbreak with a fun, clean swell forecast and there looks like some potential to switch locations to the heavier Box on Saturday depending on the wind.
The event kicked off with the local trials on Tuesday with one male and one female making the main event. There is a great opportunity for local riders to make a name for themselves on the international stage and use their knowledge in the powerful reef breaks.
This year's event is set to be action packed with a resurgent Kelly Slater in form during his final year on tour; John John Florence is back to his blistering best after an injury last year; Julian Wilson will be going for the World Title again this year; and then there's the Brazilian storm headlined by the current World Champion Gabriel Medina and aerial wizard Felipe Toledo.
The women's draw has Stephanie Gilmore leading the pack after winning convincingly in Bali last weekend and also wearing the yellow jersey.
There will also be plenty of free surfing action around the South West with hopefully some larger swells next week.
Forecast: After a great week of surf the winds shift to the north on Thursday with some choppy conditions. Friday swings S again with a rising 1.9m swell. Saturday looks the best with offshore E winds and a solid 2.5m swell. Then Sunday turns onshore again with some N winds and a 1.6m swell. Hotspot: Yallingup on Saturday.
