​The 2026 Margaret River Pro wrapped up under clear blue skies and three-to-four foot waves at Main Break. In front of a massive Sunday crowd, Aussie George Pittar and American Lakey Peterson took home the ultimate prizes. For 23-year-old Pittar, it was his first Championship Tour victory, while 31-year-old Peterson secured her seventh career win and second at this iconic Western Australian venue.
Pittar, hailing from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, had a giant-slaying run that will be remembered for years. He took down a series of World Champions, including Filipe Toledo, Yago Dora, and Italo Ferreira, before meeting three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina in the Final. Pittar stayed patient in the Final, waiting out Medina’s early small scores. The turning point came when Medina made a priority error, allowing Pittar to capitalise with a stunning 9.00 ride. He linked four sharp turns, showing off his world-class rail surfing. Medina kept attacking but could not find the excellent score required, handing Pittar the emotional win. After falling victim to the Mid-season Cut at this exact location last year, Pittar now sits at World No. 2. “I can’t even believe it,” Pittar said. “To have him in the Final and then to get a couple and win it, I don’t have too many words”.
On the women’s side, veteran Lakey Peterson showed the next generation she is still a major force. Peterson took down a talented trio of younger surfers, including Erin Brooks, Caroline Marks, and Sawyer Lindblad, on her way to the Final. Facing off against Luana Silva, Peterson relied on her years of experience at Main Break. With under five minutes remaining, Silva dropped a massive 6.83 to take the lead. Peterson needed a 6.01 and immediately responded with an aggressive two-turn combo that scored a 6.40, sealing the victory. “I’ve been doing this a really long time, and it’s cool to prove to myself, like, I can still do this,” Peterson said.
With the second event of the 2026 GWM Aussie Treble concluded, Medina and Gabriela Bryan now lead the overall rankings, though Peterson is tied on points with Bryan. The tour now heads to the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro, running from May 1 to May 11.
With only 4 days until the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro, everyone is Queensland bound.
