The holding pattern continues at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. Strong swell and onshore winds are currently lashing the coast around Margaret River.
This means Stop No. 2 of the 2026 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour remains on standby. There are only 14 heats left to run, and with lighter offshore winds predicted from Friday, officials have decided to wait for more contestable conditions later this week with the next call now on Saturday.
Renato Hickel, the WSL VP of Tours and Competition, noted they had a small bit of hope that the wind could become more favourable on Wednesday. However, the forecast changed, forcing the decision to continue the holding pattern through the week.
When competition finally resumes, fans will be treated to the Quarterfinals for both the men’s and women’s draws.
In Women’s Heat 1, Main Break standouts Gabriela Bryan of Hawaii and Sawyer Lindblad of the USA will face off. Bryan, who is wearing the Yellow Leaders Jersey, is hunting for a third straight win at Margaret River from a fourth consecutive Final. Lindblad, meanwhile, is searching for her maiden elite level victory. Quarterfinal 4 is set to be a massive clash, with 2024 World Champion Caitlin Simmers taking on returning five time World Champion Carissa Moore. Moore is chasing a historical fourth win at the Margaret River Pro. The other women’s matchups feature Caroline Marks against Lakey Peterson in Heat 2, and Molly Picklum taking on Luana Silva in Heat 3.
On the men’s side, Crosby Colapinto is up against three time World Champion and former Margaret River winner Gabriel Medina in Quarterfinal 2. Colapinto will need the same form that saw him defeat his older brother Griffin in Round Three. Reigning World Champion Yago Dora is defending his title strongly, reaching the Quarterfinals once again. He can regain the Yellow leaders jersey with another heat win, but first, he must get past an in form George Pittar in Quarterfinal 3. Pittar is aiming for another Semifinal spot at Margaret River. Rounding out the men’s draw, Samuel Pupo faces Joel Vaughan in Heat 1, and Italo Ferreira meets Ethan Ewing in Heat 4.
Yellow Alert for Finals likely to Commence.
​A Finals Day Yellow Alert has been issued for the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, which signals a probable start to the final rounds in the next 24 hours. The next call will be tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, at 7:15 a.m. AWST for a possible 7:35 a.m. start.
With winds becoming lighter and more favourable from tomorrow, and only 14 heats remaining in the competition, the event will likely resume tomorrow, with event winners to be crowned in the coming days.
