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The greatest Margaret River Pro in 30 years
Margaret River is synonymous with surfing and over the past thirty years has proven itself as the preferred playground for the world’s best.
In the past week, Margaret River has been showing off to the world, producing phenomenal surf day after day with bright blue skies and sunshine bathing bumper crowds.
Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane said that it’s been the best surf conditions in the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro’s history.
“We have one of the best places for a world-class surf event. The Box produces fast powerful barrels, and Mainbreak has big clean-faced waves that surfers can carve up and showcase their turns and aerials,” Mr Lane said.
After five straight days of perfect conditions producing waves between 6 and 15 feet with off shore winds, and two lay-days, preparations are underway for the final rounds of the Men’s and Women’s competition.
Last year, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro generated an economic impact of $4.5 million and online content showcasing Margaret River’s surf reached a potential audience of 1.6 billion people across the globe.
The exposure is due to the status elevation of the event to the highest level in the sport – a World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) from its previous status as a World Qualifying Series 6 Star Prime rated event.
The CT consists of just 11 events, the significance being that the world’s top ranked surfers must compete in it to contest for the World Champion title.
Mr Lane said growing the event would not have possible without the support of the State Government and the Augusta Margaret River Shire.
“Besides offering tremendous support, the State Government has been transparent and detailed of their objectives for this event,” Mr Lane said.
“Knowing the big picture, we have been able to collectively incorporate strategies to work towards it. Their involvement is much deeper than handing over a cheque – they have been hugely supportive in negotiations to progress and successfully gain CT status.
“As we’ve seen, the waves at Surfers Point are fantastic - this year unbelievably good - but it takes more than great waves to run an event of this calibre. Infrastructure and Government support are critical.
“To be able to say that we have that support to the highest level in WA Government provided the World Surf League the comfort and confidence to run their top-tier event here.”
After the devastating bush fires of 2011, funding through WA Royalties for Regions and the Federal Government to the tune of $6 million was provided for the upgrade of the Surfers Point site.
Besides the physical improvements of the car park, boardwalk, stairs, fencing and toilet facilities, the site, importantly, has increased electricity capacity, phone lines, water, toilets, sewerage and other essential services that a major event requires.
“The upgrade of Surfers Point was an influencing factor – it enhances the experience for spectators and surfers,” Mr Lane said.
“The improvements have translated to dividends – not only increased spectator capacity, but we are able to capitalise on every opportunity – the ability to get broadcast vision out instantly and fast broadband internet speeds so media and photographers can upload their vision and photos quickly – these are just a couple of examples.
“What having a CT event here says to the world is that Margaret River is a surfing Mecca. And because of the region’s rich tourism experiences, it’s one of surfers’ favourite – they love the food, the clean air, the natural environment, tourism experiences and the wineries,” Mr Lane said.
The tenure of the licence agreement with the World Surf League is a further two years.
Watch the unparalleled adventure, competitive drama and athleticism of professional surfing live at WorldSurfLeague.com.
The event has attracted capacity crowds and over 3.5 million people will view the event live via the online stream.
The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is proudly supported by the WA State Government through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions.
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Taj Burrow. Photo credit: WSL / Cestari
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Media contact:
Dianne Bortoletto, Pronto PR, dianne@prontopr.com.au, 0439 997 075
Notes to Editors
The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is proudly supported by the WA State Government through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions.
High res photos available for media use - download from Dropbox here. Please credit: Joli Photos, WSL or Surfing WA as identified
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 was formerly the ASP World Championship Tour
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.
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 right for the form.
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Past media releases
Great achievement in surfing career - Yallingup's Jay Davies and Taj Burrow doing Western Australia proud
Local wildcard entrant knocks out world number one - Jay Davies defeats Mick Fanning
Girls' night out - world's best women surfers get a taste of WA
A wild ride for Yallingup duo in WA Trials - results of the WA Trials for a wildcard entry into the main event.
Waves of excitement in Margaret River - big swells predicted, the best event forecast in a decade.
The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro by numbers - stats and fun facts of the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
Snapshot: 30 years of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro - summary highlights of each event held over the past 30 years.
Tips to win the Pro - Past champions, surfing legends, sports identities, politicians and media give their tips on who will win the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro
Surfers: What I love about Margaret River - Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Stephanie Gilmore and Laura Enever and more share what it is about Margaret River that they like, besides the waves.
Joel Parkinson talks all things Margaret River - Joel Parkinson, winner of 2002 Margaret River Pro and 2012 WSL Champion chats with Chris Binns at Bells Beach about Margaret River.
Celebrating 30 years of world-class surfing in WA (note: caption correction: World Surf League reining World Champion Gabriel Medina (Brazil)
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