Rookie’s talent runs in family

Bronte Macaulay, Gracetown resident and daughter of surfing legend Dave Macaulay, was named World Surf League rookie of the year at the WSL awards last Thursday.

The achievement came after Macaulay stepped up from the gruelling qualifying series to secure a spot on the World Championship Tour.

Her father said the award was a reflection of her hard work.

“It was an honour for her to win the rookie award,” he said.

“She had a testing year on the CT tour, but learned a lot and will try to put those lessons to good use in 2018.”

Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane also congratulated Macaulay on her win.

“I can’t help but feel immensely proud of Bronte, who we’ve supported as she’s risen through the ranks,” he said.

“It’s fantastic for her surfing career to be recognised as she competes at the sport’s top level.”

To top off the win, Macaulay was the only West Australian to be selected for the 2018 Australian National Squad at the Surfing Australia Awards last Tuesday.

The 16-strong team was selected on the back of an Olympic Readiness Camp in January, when Australia’s top surfers deemed most likely to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games trained for three days.

Surfing Australia national high performance director Kim Crane said the athletes were “already making their mark on the international stage”.

“… the character and courage they display in their quest to become world’s best is an absolute credit to them,” she said.

“As a sport, we are grateful to have such incredible role models, and in identifying this group as our highest priority, we will do whatever we can to support their journey.”