Gracetown surfer Bronte Macaulay discusses career journey at South West Academy of Sport awards night

A Gracetown sportswoman who has made her mark on the global surfing scene has spoken about her journey to the top echelons of the sport. Bronte Macaulay shared her story with the region’s upcoming sports stars at the South West Academy of Sport awards night last month as part of a three-person panel including former world-class triathlete Ryan Bailie and Olympic-qualified open water swimmer Kyle Lee. She told attendees she fell in the love with sport growing up in the coastal community. “I tried a few other sports,” Macaulay said. “I tried touch football training once and the coach said I’ve got the ugliest running style she’s ever seen, so I thought maybe I should just stick with surfing.” Macaulay followed in the footsteps of her father Dave, who was a professional surfer in the 80s and early 90s before later shaping surfboards for a living. Despite admitting a love for the surfers and shark paradise of Jeffery’s Bay in South Africa, Macaulay said South West residents were blessed with the waves in the region. “They’re some of the best in the world and I know for me when I go away now I’m always like, ‘I just can’t wait to get home’ and I’m looking at the forecast at home and going ‘it looks so good’,” she said. Macaulay had a stellar year last year, finishing third in the Margaret River Pro after being selected as a wildcard. As for her goals this year, she will be combining her current career with a bit of university study. “My goal this year is just trying to requalify for the World Tour, which is like the top 17 girls in the world,” she said. “I’ll compete in the Challenger Series and do a few events overseas and that’s basically it.” During her sporting career, Macaulay has experienced plenty of high and lows. Her advice to the upcoming sports stars in the region was to back themselves in difficult situations. “I feel like it’s such a journey like you go through, so many different highs and lows, but if you can just maintain that self belief through that journey, that’s probably what’s helped me the most,” she said.