Having an 'off' day
What the world's best surfers do

WSL world number one Matt Wilkinson with girlfriend Anna Jordan enjoying lunch at Wills Domain, Margaret River. Photo credit: Joli Photos

What the world’s best surfer do on ‘Off’ days

The world’s best surfers are in the Margaret River Region for the third round of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) event, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.

The Pro, which commenced on April 8, has a 12-day event window where surfers compete on days offering the best conditions. When the competition is called ‘Off’, surfers tend to explore the region.

Surfing WA CEO and Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Event Director Mark Lane said that Margaret River was the round where many of the surfers bring their families to join them on tour.

“Obviously the waves this time of year excite any surfer. But what’s unique about the Pro is that away from the contest, there a so many quality surf breaks and a huge selection of tourism experiences on offer,” Mr Lane said.

“That’s why so many surfers bring their families with them – they go and enjoy surfing other waves along the coast, spend an afternoon together over a winery lunch on the lay days, check out the caves, bush walks in the forest, go hiking on the Cape to Cape track, go to Hamlin Bay to feed the sting rays, visit breweries and the like.”

We caught up with some of the professional surfers before and during the lay days to find out how they have been spending their time in Margaret River.

Matt Wilkinson (NSW)
Walking into the Margaret River Chocolate Factory was like a childhood dream come true. They took us around the back and we had a go at making truffles and these big chocolate quokkas. It was unreal. Milk chocolate is my favourite, maybe with a bit of crunch in it. I’ve loved chocolate ever since I can remember, I don’t ever remember not wanting chocolate.

We had lunch at Wills Domain, the seven-course degustation – wow it was incredible – mind blowing. There are some native ingredients in the food – in one dish it had pretty little flowers, it was so tasty. I loved the Wills Domain Cab Sav, but only had a glass because I was driving.

We went to Aravina for Taj’s farewell lunch and that was amazing – the pork belly was so good. I met there chef there and he’s from the same part of the central coast as I am, which is pretty cool.

We’ve been up the coast and found some fun waves – we went to Gallows and had to go down a dirt road to get there, which was fun, we don’t get to that at home. We had lunch at Leeuwen Estate and we had seafood which unbelievable, so good. It’s so beautiful there. There are so many great spots around here. My girlfriend is here and she really wants to check out the caves and go to a few more wineries. We’re staying for a few days longer to relax and have a break.

Stephanie Gilmore (QLD)
My parents are here and this is their first time on the west coast, so they are excited to be here and to be tourists. My dad surfs so I’ll definitely be chasing waves with him. There’ll be some winery visits, we might check out the caves – there’s so much to do around here, it’s just beautiful. Even just driving up the coast and stopping to check out beaches is a fun thing to do.

Tyler Wright (NSW)
I have been to Gracetown and surfed with my brother. After the Pro finishes, we might go on a wine tour or two.

Courtney Conlogue (USA)
I went to Hayshed Hill and had a really nice cheese platter. I went to Cheeky Monkey and had a pizza. I’m going back to Colonial Brewery too – we enjoyed it there last year. I’m planning on staying longer after the tour and might go do some more fun stuff after that. I’ve been surfing a lot, surfing the competition break to prepare myself for Margarets. I stick to surfing this wave because that’s where I have to win.

Sally Fitzgibbons (NSW)
I’ve been sick, so laying low and not doing much besides surfing. I’ve been surfing Gas Bay, Main Break and Southside and even had a warm up at The Box. I’ve been on some coastal walks. I love being in WA, there’s a really good energy in Margaret River. Being in the open spaces and peace and quiet is what I love.

Davey Cathels (NSW)
At Wills Domain, they brought out little snacks to start with, they were really fresh and flavoursome little bites. The food has been fantastic. I’ve been to Morries too – it’s so good there.

Nat Young (USA)
We surfed at a couple of different spots near Gracetown, then surfed at Main Break. There are so many waves up and down the coast, so many breaks to choose from. I surfed Lefties the other day which was cool. I’ll be surfing on the lay days and maybe after the contest do a winery tour, but not during the contest. I’m going to say focussed on the event. What I like about the region is that it's so raw and not developed. You can get away and surf on your own, I really like that.

Julian Wilson (QLD)
I love the variety on offer in WA. I spent the day just relaxing, watched a bit of golf.

Joel Parkinson (QLD)
I love that the people in the south west have such a respect for nature and their land. It’s not all about high rises like where I come from. It’s so nice to come here. To me it feels like real Australia. I surfed for about five hours the other day – I felt like a grommet we surfed all day. It got to about 6pm and we were so tired we could hardly make dinner. When The Box is going, that’s up there as my favourite break.

World Surf League
The WSL commentary team enjoyed a Wills Domain lunch and have been spotted at the White Elephant Beach Café in Gnarabup. The WSL Commissioner Kieran Perrow and his crew lunched at Aravina Estate and he’s been spotted with is family at new cellar door, Fish Bone Wines. The WSL Broadcast team have been underground to check out the region’s ancient caves and have been to Hamlin Bay to see the friendly stingrays.

Mr Lane said that surfers were sharing their experiences on social media, which promotes the Margaret River Region to thousands of their followers.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is one of 11 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) events in the world and will be held from April 8 to 19 at Surfers Point, Margaret River.

The WSL CT brings the top 34 ranked male (plus two wild card entries) and top 16 ranked female (plus one wild card entry) surfers to the extraordinary waves in the South West of Western Australia.

For more information, visit http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events

Watch the unparalleled adventure, competitive drama and athleticism of professional surfing live at WorldSurfLeague.com.

The Western Australian Government supports the event through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions

WSL rookie Davey Cathels with world number one Matt Wilkinson at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Clockwise: WSL world number one Matt Wilkinson, Anna Jordan, photographer Jan 'Mrs Joli' Wainwright-Wilson, Maddy and WSL rookie Davey Cathels. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Anna Jordan and Matt Wilkinson wine tasting at Wills Domain. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Matt Wilkinson, Wills Domain head chef Seth James and Davey Cathels. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Matt Wilkinson at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory making chocolate quokkas. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Matt Wilkinson and Davey Cathels at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. Photo credit: Joli Photos

Media contact:

Dianne Bortoletto, Pronto PR, dianne@prontopr.com.au, 0439 997 075

Notes to Editors

Photos
High res photos contained in this media release above available here. Please credit: Joli Photos
High res photos available for media use - download from Dropbox here. Please credit: WSL or Surfing WA as identified.
Photos are only permitted for editorial use.

Extraordinary Margies Moments clips
The Extraordinary Margies Moments clips can be viewed on Surfing WA’s Vimeo page.
Web ready and high res clips available.
Photos of the Extraordinary Margies Moments behind the scenes can be downloaded here
For more information about Farmhouse Films, click here

Official website: http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events

Interviews with surfers require WSL approval - please send requests to dianne@prontopr.com.au

Surfline.com is the official forecaster of the WSL - click here for the latest forecast.

The World Surf League Championship Tour will bring the top 34 ranked male (plus two wild card entries) and top 17 ranked female (plus one wild card entry) surfers to the extraordinary waves of Western Australia. Over 12 days, surfers will compete on the days producing the best conditions.

The World Surf League Championship Tour was formerly the ASP World Championship Tour

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is proudly supported by the WA State Government through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions.

Media Accreditation
Local media planning to attend the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro are required to apply for WSL Media Accreditation - click on the Credentials link on the top right for the form.