SOME of the best surfers on the planet are gearing up to compete in the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
The event will see Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning and Stephanie Gilmore earn World Championship points from April 15 to 26.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Surfing WA which event director Mark Lane said had grown in popular since inception.
“We have a team of 300 staff and volunteers who work on the event - they are such a friendly and passionate group it’s no surprise that the Pro is regarded as one of the most hospitable events on tour,” he said.
“We made a strategic decision to keep the event free and we are expecting thousands of spectators at Surfer’s Point to watch the world’s best take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak.
“The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is now one of the best surfing events in the world thanks to its elevated status in the World Championship Tour.”
There will be two wild card entries for the men’s competition and one wildcard for the women’s.
This will be decided with a trial competition on April 14 with local grommets involved.
Jack Robinson, Jake Paterson, Jay Davies, Jerome Forrest, Josh Burke, Kael Walsh, Luke Campbell, Shaun Howe, Shaun Manners andYaden Nicol.
For the female side Bailee Hastie, Bronte Macauley, Claire Bevilacqua, Eliza Greene, Emi Campbell, Felicity Palmateer, Laura Macaulay and Mikaela Greene are in the running.
Surfing legend Tom Carroll, winner of the 1986,1987 and 1992 Margaret River Pro, said he was looking forward to returning to Western Australia’s South West.
“I love the pristine environment of the Margaret River region, the clean air, the experience of surfing there and the feeling of being on the edge of an ancient continent,” said the two-time world surfing champion.
Mr Carroll will be a beach commentator during the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
For more information, visit http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events
Photos: Joli Photos.
