Locals ready for Pro challenge

Two Margaret River surfers, Jacob Willcox and Mia McCarthy, will compete in this year’s Margaret River Pro.

In a field of 12 of the best South West male talent, a red-hot Jacob Willcox made it three straight World Surf League events, smoothly negotiating the 2m waves at the Drug Aware local trials on Tuesday.

Willcox, 18, is in fine form, having won a wild card entry to the Bells Beach Pro, where he came fifth.

He will be looking to better his 33rd placing at the Corona Bali Pro last week.

The future WSL star will now compete in his home event and, on Instagram, thanked his dad for making it down to Main Break to see the final, where he defeated Cyrus Cox.

Jack Robinson, Jed Gradisen and Ben Spence all relished the pumping conditions but were unable to outperform one of the sport’s rising cult figures.

Mia McCathy was the best of the nine local girls, defeating April McPherson in a close final.

McCarthy’s two scoring waves, a 7.4 and 7.23, combined for 14.63, edging out McPherson’s best of 6.5 and 6.43 totalling 12.93.

Yallingup trio Claire Bevilacqua, Mikaela Greene, and Emma Cattlin performed well.