Capes surfers dominate annual Surfing WA championship awards

The annual Surfing WA awards has paid tribute to Jacob Willcox, Bronte Macaulay and Willow Hardy while handing out a heap of honours to Capes surfers. Willcox’s long-awaited admission to the World Surf League’s Championship Tour earnt him the Ian Cairns Male Surfer of the Year award taken out by Jack Robinson in 2022. Macaulay won the Jodie Cooper Female Surfer of the Year honour and the Murray Smith award for Junior Surfer of the Year went to Hardy. Hardy’s little sister Olive was also on the scorecard, nabbing the under-18 Junior Girls award alongside boys winner Otis North. Capes surfers dominated the juniors as well as the adult surf masters championships. Finn Cox and Claire Bevilacqua were the Open Men and Women winners, and Cowaramup’s Macklin Flynn scored the Under-21 Pro Junior award. Chief executive Mark Lane said the chance to gather the Surfing WA family was welcomed. “It was inspiring to witness so many of our State champions gathered in one place, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends,” he said. “We recognise the immense commitment and support required to achieve the status of a State champion, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all for this remarkable accomplishment.” Capes bodyboarders Chad Jackson, Joe Jordanoff and Sean Oberholzher were also recognised. The region’s rich contest in longboard and logger division also saw Dunsborough’s Jack Medland claim the Open Men’s award as well as the Open Men’s Logger prize. Cowaramup’s Jock Bahen, Margaret River’s Doug Carruthers and national champion Amanda Curley, and Dunsborough’s Paul Burke, Barrie McKinnon and Bob Monkman won in their age divisions. Stand-up surfers Scott McKercher (Margaret River) and Jacenta McKenna (Dunsborough) garnered wins alongside Yallingup’s Ryder Vernon who scored the under-18 Junior Boys title.