Yallingup siblings Josh and Emma Cattlin have been selected as wildcards to compete in the upcoming Cape Naturaliste Pro, a World Surf League Qualifying Series 1000 event which is set to commence next Thursday.
Nineteen-year old Josh and 17-year old Emma were chosen by the Yallingup Boardriders Club and become the second brother and sister combination in as many weeks to be awarded the chance to compete in the WA Pro Surf Series, after Falcon's Harry and April McPherson were named wildcard's for the Mandurah Pro.
The Cape Naturaliste Pro will return to the wave-rich Yallingup, which boasts world class waves and stunning natural beauty.
As Yallingup's only internationally rated surfing event, it is hoped that the Cattlin's will ride a wave of success on their home breaks with great community support behind them.
At just 17, Emma has quickly grown to be one of WA's best female surfers.
She has captured multiple State Championship Titles, represented Australia at the ISA World Junior Championships last year in the USA and this year claimed the prestigious Queen of the Point crown at Trigg Point.
"I'm so stoked to receive the wildcard, it's such an honour to represent Yallingup and to compete alongside my brother is pretty sick," she said.
"Having WSL QS events here in WA is such a massive opportunity and I look forward to playing host to a few girls from the East coast who are coming to stay with me.
"I really look forward to showing off this beautiful landscape and competing in the waves I know and love so much."
Older brother Josh also enjoyed a glittery junior career and has been a standout surfer along WA's North-West coastline over the past few winters.
Despite a recent ankle injury, Cattlin is confident he'll get the green light to compete and represent his hometown.
"I'm stoked to get the wildcard and I'll probably be asking Emma for some advice as she's such a great competitive surfer," he joked.
"I'm hoping the ankle heals up and I get to surf a few heats. I wiped out pretty badly about 10 weeks ago and tore a bunch of ligaments and sustained some cartilage damage as well.
"I've got an appointment with a specialist on Thursday and I'm hoping they'll say I can surf.
"I've been working with a great local physio Trevor Lawrence-Brown who has been amazing and helped Taj Burrow get back from his knee reconstruction."
City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley was on hand to congratulate the local duo and was genuinely excited that Yallingup surfers would get the chance to compete against an international field on home soil.
"The City supports Taj's Small Fries and this event, which along with the Margaret River Pro illustrates the pathway that exists for our young surfers," he said.
"It is great for Yallingup to host this qualifying event and it is such an amazing opportunity for these two wildcards."
Yallingup is home to WA's most successful professional surfer Taj Burrow, as well as former Championship Tour competitors Jake Paterson, Claire Bevilacqua, and Melanie Redman-Carr.
Surfing WA's events manager Justin Majeks said thanked the Yallingup Boardriders for their support and looked forward to showcasing the region to surfers from as far afield as Japan, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Hawaii and the US.
"We have a strong partnership with the City of Busselton and we look forward to building this event each and every year," he said.
The second event of the WA Pro Surf Series, the Cape Naturaliste Pro will run in and around Yallingup, a WA tourism hot spot, famous for its powerful surf, limestone caves, amazing wineries, restaurants and much, much more.
Competition will commence on Thursday October 24 with a four-day event window spanning through to the Sunday October 27.
The WA Pro Surf Series has been made possible thanks to a successful partnership between Surfing WA, WSL, City of Mandurah, Visit Mandurah, City of Busselton, and the WA Government and Tourism WA.
For more information, please visit SurfingWA.com.au or WorldSurfLeague.com for live results, photos, video highlights and much more.
WA Pro Surf Series event dates include Mandurah Pro Men's & Women's QS1,000 from October 19 until 22, and the Cape Naturaliste Pro Men's & Women's QS 1,000 from October 24 until 27,
