Peel Pro gives Margaret River, Dunsborough and Gracetown surfers a chance to mix it up

Capes surfers have had a great opportunity to compete against some of the nation’s best juniors, despite missing out on the final results.

The Peel Pro Junior in Mandurah at the weekend attracted a convoy of South West surfers to the event, which offers a rankings boost to Australia’s best semi-professional surfers in the opening event of the 2022 WA Pro Surf Series.

NSW firebrand Lennox Chell and Victoria’s Ellie Harrison took out the top honours in underwhelming surf like only that stretch of coast can offer.

But Margaret River region surfers fared well in the difficult conditions, with a lay day stalling Monday’s finals.

Margaret River’s Willow Hardy finished in equal third in the overall competition, unfortunately knocked out in the semifinal by Sierra Kerr.

Gracetown’s George Simpson and Dunsborough’s Kade Martin got as far as the quarterfinals and finished in equal fifth position.

Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said the weekend was a great opportunity for local talent to compete against some of Australia’s emerging surfing stars.

“The WA Pro Surf Series is all about exposing our local talent to the level of east coast and international surfers, to compete against them, and learn for a high level of competition,” he said.

“WA’s hard borders have kept these events out for the past two years so we’re glad to have them back and welcome travelling surfers to the shores of WA.”

Other Capes surfers included Otis North, Maverick Wilson, Ruby Berry, Kaleisha Launders and Olive Hardy.

The Peel Pro Junior kicked off the 2022 WA Pro Surf Series, which headed to Yallingup yesterday for a Men and Women’s QS1000.