West Aussie surfers grab chance to surf against world's best

Jacob Willcox (Margaret River) and Mia McCarthy (Cowaramup) won the last Drug Aware WA Trials back in 2019 and will be two surfers to keep an eye on when competition gets underway next Tuesday. Photo: Surfing WA/Majeks

The upcoming Drug Aware WA Trials will give one male and one female West Australian surfer the opportunity to compete against the world's best at the upcoming World Surf League (WSL) Boost Mobile Margaret River Pro in May.

As the official curtain raiser to a thrilling month of professional surfing in WA, The Drug Aware WA Trials will take place on Tuesday April 27 at Surfers Point, Margaret River and will feature 12 of the best male and 8 of the finest female surfers in the state, all vying for that precious spot in the Margaret River Pro.

Mia McCarthy (Cowaramup) will compete in the trials next week. Photo: Surfing WA/Majeks

"This opportunity for one lucky guy and girl is truly the chance of a lifetime. To surf against their heroes and World Champions is something they will remember forever," said Surfing Western Australia CEO Mark Lane.

Surfers have been selected based on their performances over the past 12 months, with the trialists a mixture of local boardrider club champions, state champions, national champions, specialty event winners, the Drug Aware Digital Trials winners, as well the highest rated WA surfers from the World Qualifying Series.

Some of the invited surfers into the event include Jacob Willcox (Margaret River), Kael Walsh (Yallingup), Solomon Pogue-Englert (Gracetown), as well as female powerhouses Mia McCarthy (Cowaramup), Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup) and rising star Willow Hardy (Margaret River).

Surfing WA Events Manager Justin Majeks said the surfers had all followed different pathways to reach the trials.

"I can't wait to see who'll represent WA alongside local heroes Jack Robinson and Bronte Macaulay in Margaret River," he said.

The 35th Margaret River Pro, the fourth stop on the WSL Championship Tour, will be held from 2-12 May 2021 at Surfers Point with competition taking place on waves at Main Break and potentially The Box.