Surfers Gabriela Bryan (Hawaii) and Jack Robinson (Australia) emerged victorious at the Margaret River Pro in Western Australia, the fifth stop on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). The high-stakes event, saw the competitors vying for a spot in the coveted back half of the 2024 CT season.
Coming into the competition, Bryan, ranked tenth, desperately needed a strong performance. A standout at Margaret River in the past, she had secured a career-best second-place finish here as a rookie, saving her place on the Tour. This year, her path to the final was challenging, with narrow wins against Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy and Australia’s India Robinson. However, Bryan saved her best for last, putting on a dominant display in the final against American rookie Sawyer Lindblad. She earned a 15.93 out of a possible 20, her best heat score of the week, to clinch her maiden CT victory and propel herself to fifth in the world rankings.
The elation was evident as Bryan expressed, “I’m speechless! It’s been an intense day, week, and month. This win feels amazing, especially considering the pressure. It wouldn’t have been possible without my incredible support system – my family and coach, Sebastian Zietz. There are so many people back home cheering me on, and I truly hope I made them proud. This is surreal; I’m still trying to process it all.”
The women’s final showcased the immense talent of the next generation of female surfers. Throughout the 35-minute matchup, both Bryan and Lindblad displayed exceptional skills. Bryan’s powerful frontside hacks contrasted Lindblad’s strong vertical backhand approach, keeping the heat scores neck-and-neck for most of the duration. With just under five minutes remaining, Bryan seized the opportunity presented by the biggest wave of the set. She executed a flawless frontside carve followed by a critical late rebound, scoring an excellent 8.10 and securing the win.
Bryan’s enthusiasm continued, “Entering the event below the Cut, I now find myself at number five, which is a massive difference. It validates my surfing’s place on the Tour. I’m grateful for the good waves today. Last year’s elimination here forced me to rely on others’ results to make the Cut, so doing it myself this year feels fantastic. All the competitors put on a phenomenal show. As I came off that wave, I felt a sense of destiny – with those dolphins riding alongside it, it was magical.”
Jack Robinson, the 2022 Margaret River Pro champion, returned to reclaim his title after a knee injury hampered his performance last season. The young Australian, a strong contender for the World Title, displayed exceptional form throughout the day, culminating in a well-deserved final against John John Florence (Hawaii). Robinson progressively built momentum, culminating in a remarkable performance in the final. He bagged a 9.10 for executing three colossal carves on one of the day’s largest waves. He followed this up with an impressive 8.17 for a massive frontside straight air with three turns. Robinson’s heat total of 17.27, the second-highest of the event, left Florence needing a perfect 10 to take the lead. While Florence managed an 8.10, he couldn’t find another scoring wave, handing Robinson the victory. This win ties Robinson with Florence for most Margaret River Pro wins (two each) and propels him to second place in the rankings as he heads to Tahiti, where he is the defending champion.
Reflecting on his win, Robinson said, “John John pushes me to new heights, and I always relish competing against him. He’s the ideal final opponent. Watching him surf here inspires me immensely; he sets the bar high. This win isn’t just mine; it belongs to everyone who supports me. It’s an unforgettable moment. Returning here after competing worldwide feels special. Margaret River is my home, and it’s the best place on earth. I’m incredibly grateful to be here right now.”
The Margaret River Pro witnessed exceptional surfing performances, with both Bryan and Robinson triumphing and solidifying their positions on the Championship Tour. As the tour moves forward, the surfing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in this thrilling competition.
