Classic hopefuls rise to occasion

The 38th Margaret River Classic was held at Surfers Point over the weekend in trying 6ft-8ft conditions.

A field of about 95 competitors aged aged 10-50 braved the elements to vie for a swag of cash and other prizes.

There was a distinctly local vibe at Surfers Point with many of the region’s surfing families and boardriders members working together to put on another amazing event.

Under the direction of Rip Curl store owner and contest director Neil Thompson, Margaret River Boardriders hosted many of WA’s finest competitive surfers.

Despite challenging conditions, there was amazing surfing on display, with championship tour contender Jacob Willcox, Boardriders president Jerome Forrest and local big-wave charger Felicity Palmateer some of the stand-out performers on finals day.

Spectators were treated to a perfect score from Willcox in the final of the open men’s contest, tearing apart the lumpy waves with his razor-sharp rail game.

Palmateer won the open women’s final with a score of 13.6 far ahead of finalists Mia McCarthy, Laura Macaulay and Willow Hardy.

Forrest won in the men’s locals only final with 14.17 against Rohan Annesley, Andrew Sheridan and David Englert.

This year also saw the addition of the inaugural under-16 cadets division, which featured junior male and female surfers navigating tricky onshore conditions.

There were solid performances by Brock Launders, Otis North, Macklin Flynn and Ruby Berry.

Thanks must go to Settlers Tavern, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River, and all the local board manufacturers and surf shops, which once again got behind this prestigious event.

Margaret River Boardriders committee members look forward to making the Classic even bigger and better next year