Can Jack Robinson Secure a Third Straight Win at Margaret River as the Mid-Year Cut Approaches?
The 2025 Margaret River Pro kicked off with breathtaking conditions, delivering 18 opening-round heats under a clear sky and head-high to overhead waves. The vivid blue water of Western Australia was on full display, offering the kind of power and beauty that rivals surfing meccas like Pipeline and Teahupo’o.
Mid-Year Cut Drama and Standout Performances
Many of the surfers fighting to stay above the mid-year cut delivered impressive performances. Of the ten excellent scores recorded during the men’s opening round, seven came from surfers hovering around the cut line, including Cole Houshmand, Samuel Pupo, Joao Chianca, Connor O’Leary, Matthew McGillivray, and Liam O’Brien. Liam, just outside the cut line, looked confident and in control, outshining big names like Yago Dora and wildcard Winter Vincent.
Matthew McGillivray continued his strong record at Margaret River, securing a win in a tough heat against Ethan Ewing and Ryan Callinan. Despite recent setbacks, McGillivray expressed optimism about turning things around at this event.
Jack Robinson’s Homecoming
The highlight of the day belonged to local hero Jack Robinson, who scored the highest single-wave score of the day (8.93). Having won the event in both 2022 and 2024, and missing 2023 due to injury, Robinson has not lost a heat at Margaret River since 2021. With no John John Florence in the draw, his path to another title is wide open. Riding a custom Eric Arakawa board with a design inspired by Andy Irons, Robinson soaked in the crowd’s support and shared how meaningful it is to compete at home.
Other Notable Heats and Moments
The most entertaining heat featured Jordy Smith, Joao Chianca, and Mikey McDonagh. Chianca and McDonagh engaged in a fierce paddle battle for priority, drawing laughs from Smith and applause from Chianca for the spirited duel.
Family rivalry also played out as Griffin Colapinto advanced to the next round while sending his younger brother Crosby to the elimination round. Crosby, who missed two events due to injury, now faces a do-or-die heat to keep his Championship Tour hopes alive.
Other highlights included strong showings from Alan Cleland Jr., local wildcard Bronte Macaulay, and reigning women’s champ Gabriela Bryan.
Women’s Competition and the Lone Cut
The women’s draw also saw big moments. Gabriela Bryan picked up where she left off, while Bronte Macaulay delivered a surprise win over Caitlin Simmers and Lakey Peterson. Sawyer Lindblad started strong, winning her heat as she aims to repeat her success from last season and stay above the cut.
In a significant shift, only one woman will be cut from the tour this year due to the expansion of the field from 18 to 26 in 2026. That spot currently belongs to veteran Sally Fitzgibbons, who will need at least a quarterfinal finish to stay on tour. Despite making the final at the Gold Coast, she hasn’t moved from last place and faces the familiar threat of falling to the Challenger Series.
Caroline Marks has already secured her place in the second half of the season, and Rio Waida became the 11th male surfer to do the same. Eleven spots remain open for the men, with several names still battling it out.
Looking Ahead
The competition is likely to pause for a few days as a massive swell is expected by Tuesday. This could open the door for heats to run at The Box, a legendary slab wave that hasn’t hosted heats since 2019. With all eyes on the forecast, fans and surfers alike hope conditions align to allow for a dramatic showdown at one of surfing’s most iconic venues.
Opening Round Results
Men’s Round Highlights:
Jack Robinson, Liam O’Brien, Joao Chianca, and Cole Houshmand were among the top performers.
Elimination round features tough matchups for surfers like Crosby Colapinto, Mikey McDonagh, and Ryan Callinan.
Women’s Round Highlights:
Wins for Sawyer Lindblad, Gabriela Bryan, Bronte Macaulay, and Caroline Marks.
Sally Fitzgibbons, Lakey Peterson, and Bettylou Sakura Johnson head to elimination heats with their seasons on the line.
As the competition builds, the stakes rise for every surfer—especially those eyeing the mid-season cut. With the potential for heavy waves and dramatic finishes, Margaret River is once again proving to be a pivotal stop on the Championship Tour.