Bronte Macaulay and Otis North to take on world’s best at elite Margaret River Pro

Perennial competitor Bronte Macaulay will get a chance to strut her stuff on home ground alongside Yallingup charger Otis North after the pair won through the weekend’s wildcard trials for the Margaret River Pro.

With competition starting on Thursday, the 10-day event will pit the challengers against the world’s best on the elite Championship Tour.

A series of Surfing WA events during the past year paved the way for a full field of mostly Capes-based male and female competitors to compete in the trials held in 6 to 8-foot waves at Surfers Point at the weekend.

Amidst gusty winds and a building swell, the selected 12 male and 12 female surfers pushed for their very best with the elite opportunity in sight.

As WA’s 2023 under-18 boys State champion, the odds favoured North from the get-go.

Judges said the Yallingup charger displayed remarkable tenacity, braving the elements to secure his maiden Championship Tour event appearance after a marathon day of surfing.

An awe-inspiring performance saw North surf four times to claim victory in the men’s division, edging out Margaret River’s Finn Cox in a thrilling final.

As a past victim of the tour’s midyear cut, Macaulay claimed her second consecutive trials victory by outclassing rising star Willow Hardy with two seven-point plus rides on her way to a combined total of 15.00, finishing ahead of Margaret River’s Hardy on 13.23 out of 20.

Macaulay’s superior wave selection and manoeuvre placement proved the difference in the end.

“It has been a pretty challenging day,” she said after the win.

“The waves were quite good, but the wind was pretty strong from the south-east.

“All the young girls were pretty impressive and just watching the heats before mine was scary, so it’s good to get through.

“I feel the future for women’s surfing in WA is so bright, with Willow, Ruby Berry and Isi Campbell, they’ve all got good things ahead of them.”

North was hailed for a performance beyond his 17 years.

He posted a combined two-wave total of 14.66, which included a 8.33 and back up 6.33, while rival Cox finished on 13.47 and was left chasing a 7.50 ride for the win.

“I’m feeling very excited, very stoked and also very tired,” North said.

“It’s been a windy day and it’s quite a big swell out there, so it’s awesome to come away with the win.

“This is the top of the top for me. It is like a dream come true to surf against the world’s best here in Margaret River. I can’t wait.”

Australian George Pittar also scored a wildcard entry as the third-highest Australian surfer on the Challenger Series rankings, while fellow Aussie Reef Heazlewood took the injury replacement spot for Brazil’s Joao Chianca.