Latest news with #MargaretRiverPro
West Australian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Margaret River challengers to make road trip as junior surfing titles move to Trigg
Fresh from the inspiration of the Margaret River Pro, some of the region's best juniors will head to Perth this weekend for the second round of the WA Junior Surfing Titles. Some of the Capes surfers, including Ily Fraser and Cowaramup duo Grace Cook and Ace Flynn, will be defending strong wins in the first round which took place in home waters in February. Eyes will also be on Okie Fraser and Olive Hardy to score victories at this weekend's event at Trigg Beach. Meanwhile, local surfers would be up against some of their rivals from metropolitan schools as well as clubs as far afield as Geraldton, which hosts round three in July. 'We've got a great run of surf on the way and a solid field of competitors ready to put on a show,' Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said. 'It's always nice to host such a big event at our home beach. 'The local energy, the community support, and the chance to showcase the State's best juniors is something we really look forward to.' The three-day contest will culminate in a finals showdown on Sunday. To keep up with the scores or watch the action live, visit and
West Australian
12 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
World Surf League cops backlash after surfers bail on key community event
The World Surf League has copped a blast for not sending any of its athletes to a key annual community conservation event during the Margaret River Pro. WSL traditionally organised for a handful of Championship Tour competitors to attend Nature Conservation Margaret River Region's annual busy bee held in conjunction with volunteers and local junior surfers. While Nature Conservation staff, volunteers, parents and Cowaramup Bay Boardriders grommets attended the May 15 event at Grunters, no athletes came along this year as they had in the past. Although it remained a WSL-supported event as part of its One Ocean partnership, parents and other stakeholders told the Times youngsters were left disappointed and feeling like their genuine conservation efforts didn't matter. Gracetown parent Megan Garnett, who also co-ordinates the Friends of Gracetown conservation group, said many grommets had hoped for more than a free t-shirt. 'The event was a success, but I think it was a bit of a slap in the face,' she said. 'It does make that actually look like a tick-box for WSL and its environmental standing. 'All of us parents and local schools are trying to encourage this idea of being environmental custodians, and when that's not valued by their role models, that makes it twice as hard.' In years past, surfers including Bettylou Sakura and Italo Ferreira joined young talent laying brushing and planting seedlings along the coast. Ms Garrett said the region's young surfers looked up to the Pro athletes and the chance to rub shoulders with them while helping the local environment 'could have meant so much'. Others told the Times it wasn't good enough for WSL to muster local groups when it needed to apply for permits — such as the inclusion of North Point as a location option, bitterly opposed by many surfers — but then pay lip service when the Pro was running. However, a WSL spokesperson said the official surfing body remained committed to working with local groups and residents 'through sustainability and community engagements throughout the WA Margaret River Pro competition'. WSL cited its partnership with Nature Conservation that included junior Boardriders, the Margaret River Coastal Residents Association, philanthropic group Line in the Sand, and the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River. But WSL declined to comment on why no professional surfers were available this year. The disappointing no-show followed complaints from surfers also wondering why the wild cards trial in the lead up the Margaret River Pro was not televised despite everything being in place at Surfers Point. And that negative feedback came on the heels of last week's reports the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation had voiced its own disquiet that objections to using certain important heritage sites near the competition were overruled by the State Government. WSL passed inquiries about the wild cards event to Surfing WA who were unable to comment before deadline. A Nature Conservation spokesperson said talks were under way to avoid the shortfall in the future. 'Nature Conservation felt disappointed for the Cowaramup Bay Boardriders groms who were so pumped to work on country with their surfing idols,' interim manager Cass Jury said. 'We are working with the WSL to come up with a solution for future years that will prevent this disappointment and give the pro surfers an opportunity to contribute to the worthwhile work of the many coastal volunteers who work tirelessly to protect our fragile coastline.' Boardriders spokesperson Keighley Bremner told the Times the event was 'a successful day' but declined to comment on the lack of talent on show. WSL also noted this year it hosted a Capes Coastal Forum during the Pro. 'The forum created a space for community stakeholders to come together to discuss coastline protection,' the spokesperson said. 'The WSL is committed to supporting the community by joining forces with local organisations through workshops, projects, and the WSL PURE Grant program.'
ABC News
30-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Parking at Margaret River Pro exposes tension in Australia's biggest native title agreement
A dispute over parking at a major surfing event has exposed tension within the country's largest native title agreement as traditional owners accuse the West Australian government of undermining their authority. Five of the six regional native title bodies for the Noongar people say they are concerned the state government is undermining their agreed role as the foremost representatives in decision-making and consultation. The Yued, Gnaala Karla Booja, Ballardong, Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar, and Karri Karrak Aboriginal corporations issued a joint statement to the ABC reiterating their role as the "front door" for people and organisations seeking to engage with traditional custodians and operate on country. "Only the Noongar Regional Corporations are required by law to represent all the people in their respective agreement areas — other organisations can only lay claim to representing a small subsection," the statement said. The groups' disquiet stems from the approval of parking near an Aboriginal burial site for the recent Margaret River Pro despite repeated objections from the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch recently defended the approval citing consultation and endorsement from the Undalup Association, a not-for-profit organisation formed in 2012 by Wardandi traditional custodians. The regional corporations have limited statutory authority under the state's 1972 Aboriginal Heritage Act and proponents are only legally required to engage with Noongar corporations when an Aboriginal heritage survey is required. Karri Karrak director and Wardandi woman Nicole Casey said the minister's position undermined the representative role of native title bodies set out in the terms of the 2021 South West Native Title Settlement — the biggest settlement in WA's history. "It certainly feels like it undermines the intent and purpose of that very difficult process," she said. In a statement to the ABC the World Surfing League said it received "all required permits through the correct avenues as advised by the state government". A Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage spokesperson said regional corporations played an important role in providing advice on cultural heritage matters. "The WA government encourages meaningful engagement and consultation with regional corporations as a key representative body for traditional owners in the region," the spokesperson said. There has been growing tension about Undalup and Karri Karrak's roles in Aboriginal cultural heritage consultation in the South West. Karri Karrak recently issued two statements rebuking proponents who had sought the endorsement of Undalup instead of its own. The second takes exception to the World Surfing League's approved use of the registered Aboriginal heritage site for parking, again with Undalup's support. Ms Casey said the relationship with Undalup was sensitive. "The Undalup Association is made up of people who are, for the most part, also members of the Karri Karrak Aboriginal Corporation — they are traditional owners of the region," she said. "It's always been our intention to walk respectfully with Undalup and to continue to develop those relationships they've spent many long years building up in the community, but the reality is the corporation was established for a purpose." The ABC has repeatedly contacted Undalup for comment on this matter. Yued Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Rewi Lyall said Noongar corporations' legal obligation to consult and represent the interests of traditional owners made their role vital in all relevant consultations within an agreement area. "Only the relevant native title body for a particular agreement area can ensure that everybody who is entitled to express an opinion about an act or decision affecting Aboriginal cultural heritage has an opportunity to do so," he said.
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘It feels incredible': Jordy Smith sets sights on historic world surfing title
With two wins in the bag this season, Smith holds the overall lead in the World Surf League series. Though he has taken the overall lead in the World Surf League (WSL), veteran Jordy Smith says he's not getting ahead of himself as he aims to become the first South African man in 48 years to win the top-flight series. Smith earned his second win of the season on Monday, beating Griffin Colapinto of the United States in the final to secure victory at the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia. Having produced consistent performances throughout the seven WSL legs thus far, Smith took the overall lead with four events left in the regular season. 'It feels incredible. I think it's just a testament to showing up every day and trusting what you're doing,' said the 37-year-old South African. 'And it's not just myself. I can't say I've been doing all the work because I've got such a great team of people behind me… so there's a lot of dedication that goes on every day. 'I'm sure all the surfers live a similar path, but for me this year has just been about having fun and enjoying this because it's not forever.' Looking ahead Having competed in the top-flight global league for the last 16 years, Smith has finished in the top five overall on six occasions and has twice finished second, but he is still in search of his first global senior crown. With the top five competitors in the WSL qualifying for the series final to be contested in Fiji in August and September, Smith was well on track to become the first South African to win the men's world title since Shaun Thomson in 1977. And while he looked forward to the next event, the Trestles Pro to be held in California starting on 9 June, he admitted it would be a challenge to hold on to his overall lead. 'I think everyone's going to be kind of fighting for that top five now, and there are a lot of guys who are swinging for it, so that's going to be exciting,' he said. 'And I think just having that opportunity to kind of push myself against the best in the world is all I'm really looking for, taking every day for what it is and not thinking too far down the line.'
ABC News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Gabriela Bryan and Jordy Smith claim victory at the Margaret River Pro
A young star and tour veteran have won the Margaret River Pro, with Hawaii's Gabriela Bryan and South Africa's Jordy Smith celebrating after a challenging week of surfing. It is Bryan's second successive win at the Margaret River Pro, and her second win in the World Surf League's Championship Tour this year. Posting a 9.5 and securing the best combined total for the women's series so far, Bryan holds onto the yellow jersey and puts extra space between herself and 19-year-old Caitlin Simmers, who sits at a close number two on the women's world rankings. She told the World Surf League she was still getting used to her status as the competition's front-runner. "Every heat I have with it I'm getting more comfortable," Bryan said. "I have amazing people supporting me and I honestly couldn't do it without them." Simmers is still hoping for her second world title in a row after becoming the youngest to claim one last year. She knocked off the last-standing West Australian, wildcard Bronte Macaulay, in their semi-final heat earlier in the day. It was Macaulay's fourth time making the semi-finals at her home break but she has never made it to finals. But she came out all smiles, to cheers from local supporters. It was the veteran versus the comeback kids in the men's final, with South Africa's Smith eventually securing the win. American surfer Griffin Colapinto charged up the ranks to make both the cut and the Margaret River Pro finals, but Smith's performance was too strong. Smith, oldest in the league at 37, has already had one win this year and currently sits at number one, chasing his first world title. He made the most of the slight swell on offer, less than a week after Main Break offered up some of its biggest waves on record. The Margaret River event has served as a crucial mid-year cut point for the tour, after which lower-ranked competitors are relegated back to the qualifying circuit, a format which has divided surf fans. It was announced earlier this year that the feature would be dropped in 2026, and tour organisers would reintroduce a more traditional cumulative points winner to determine titles for the 2026 season. The Margaret River event will also be held earlier in the tour, with the season-ending event shifted to Pipeline in Hawaii. The tour now moves to California where 11-time world champion Kelly Slater will compete as a wildcard ahead of the world title showdown in Fiji in August.
