WA Surf Trials Offer Wildcard Entry to Margaret River Pro

Some of Western Australia’s top surfers will compete at Surfers Point in Margaret River on Friday, vying for a coveted spot in the upcoming Margaret River Pro on the World Surf League Championship Tour.

The WA trials feature 12 men and 12 women, each contending for a single wildcard entry per division into one of the premier events on the global surfing circuit. A win at the trials secures the opportunity to compete against the world’s elite surfers when the Margaret River Pro commences.

Entrants were selected based on their performances over the past year in the World Surf League’s Qualifying Series, state titles, specialty events, and nominations from local board riders clubs, according to event organizers.

Among the prominent athletes confirmed for the trials are former Championship Tour surfer Bronte Macaulay from Margaret River and up-and-coming talent Willow Hardy, who earned the women’s wildcard in last year’s Pro and will surf the Challenger Series in 2025. Other key names include Macklin Flynn, the 2026 Open Men’s State Champion from Cowaramup, as well as Okie Fraser and Mia McCarthy of Margaret River, and Jack Thomas of Yallingup.

Surfing WA chief executive Matt Wilson highlighted the event’s role in supporting local surfers’ progression to the highest level. "WA has an incredible depth of surfing talent, and this pathway ensures our surfers have genuine opportunities to progress from local competition right through to the championship tour," Wilson said.

The Pathway to the Pro initiative, developed by Surfing WA in collaboration with the World Surf League, provides multiple routes for local surfers to qualify for the trials and ultimately contend for a spot on the WSL Championship Tour.

The winner of each division will be decided on Friday. The competition has become a significant showcase of local talent and a stepping stone for surfers aiming to establish themselves on the world stage.