2006 Margaret River Pro
presented by O’Neill

ASP 4 Star WQS Mens Event
Surfers Point, Margaret Rive
27 March - 2 April 2006

Live webcast    |    Scores/Results/photos etc

Big names of surf on their way to WA

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 March, 2006 : - - The groundswell of competition is mounting for this year’s Margaret River Pro presented by O’Neill, with a red-hot field of 200+ professional surfers from 14 nations confirmed this week. The four-star WQS (World Qualifying Series) contest, as part of the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) World Tour, offers $100,000 AUD in prize money and runs from March 27 to April 2 at Surfers Point in Margaret River. 

The Margaret River Pro was secured in January after the Western Australian Government increased funding to ensure Western Australia remained on the international surfing event calendar. Formerly known as the ‘Margaret River Masters’, the event has undergone a name change this year to bring it into line with other international surfing tournaments. 

“We have re-branded the event to give it a fresh name that reflects other high-calibre ASP events around Australia and the globe.  Like the ‘Bells Beach Pro’ and others, the Margaret River event is now known as the ‘Margaret River Pro’,” said General Manager of ASP Australasia, Glenn Best. According to Event Director Tim Thirsk, the contest has drawn a high-quality field of hungry competitors from both the WQS and WCT (World Championship Tour) circuits. 

“As well as some of the best in the business, the event will see some talented, emerging surfers in action as they put their skills to the test at a professional WQS competition level,” Mr Thirsk said. A capacity crowd is expected to witness the legendary Mark Occhilupo take to the surf, in his first time back to Margaret River since 2001.  Occy is well poised to serve it up to the younger competitors, who are literally half his age. 

Having begun his professional campaign as a 15-year-old way back in 1983, this year he turns 40, but is showing no signs of slowing down.  He boasts one of the most impressive careers in ASP history, including an incredible comeback in the late ‘90s to claim a world title at the age of 33. Occy contemplated retirement in 2005, before changing his plans and then finishing 19th on the WCT.  His track record at Margaret’s includes a title victory in 1985, when he defeated four-time world champion Mark Richards. 

Backed by enviable local knowledge of Surfers Point, Yallingup’s Taj Burrow (currently ranked 7th in the world) and Jake Paterson (ranked 13th) will be tough to beat.  Former ASP world number-two-ranked Taj returns from three months of rehabilitation from a foot injury and is back to his exhilarating best after putting in a quality performance at the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast this week. 

Marc Occhilupo : photo ASP/Tostee

Other West Aussies in the Margaret River Pro field include WQS surfers Yadin Nichol from Margaret River and Ry Craike from Kalbarri, both aged 20. The local contenders will meet O’Neill team riders Roy Powers and Timmy Reyes (both USA) and Jarrad Howse (Manly, NSW). Contest champion in 2005, Troy Brooks from Queensland will return to defend his title, having finished 24th in the world in his first official year on the WCT circuit last year.  

Finishing equal third in 2005 and returning this year are Gabe Kling (Florida, USA) and the fiercely competitive 2004 champion Neco Padaratz (Brazil).  Padaratz cites Margaret River as his favourite event of the year and his results at Margaret River certainly support his sentiment, with a win, runner-up finish and an equal third in the bag.  Padaratz’s entry in the 2006 Margaret River Pro will see him vie to reclaim a place on the WCT. 

Mr Thirsk said, as well as hundreds of competitors and crew, the event is expected to attract around 12,000 spectators. “The contest will also be televised to over a billion people and seen in more than 48 countries around the world,” he said. “Millions more will watch it live on the internet via a webcast in real-time, which will include interactive commentary with viewers around the world.” 

The 2006 Margaret River Pro presented by O’Neill marks the 22nd year of the event.  As well as spectacular competition between the world’s top surfers, the event showcases the unique virtues of the State’s beautiful South West, including Margaret River’s stunning beaches, breathtaking natural settings and premium Western Australian food and wine. 

Major supporters include Tourism WA and new presenting sponsor O’Neill Australia, the world’s leading wetsuit supplier and a major supporter of Australian surfing and ASP events worldwide.  Other sponsors include Nova 93.7, Department of Sport & Recreation, SunSmart, Licensed to Chill, Tooheys Extra Dry, Odyssey 2020, Surftech, Coca-Cola, Chooks Fresh & Tasty, The Sunday Times, Margarets Beach Resort, Margaret River Law, FCS Fin Control Systems, Tracks, Surfersvillage, Shire of Augusta Margaret River, Association of Surfing Professionals and Surfing WA. 

Also announced this week is the entertainment line-up for the ninth annual ‘Mainbreak’ concert, to be held on Saturday, April 1 at Margaret River Oval.  Mainbreak will feature a kaleidoscope of live sounds, including the multi-platinum king of pop n roll, Ben Lee in his only WA show, alongside international drum and bass superstars Pendulum, plus Butterfingers, Bodyjar, Cowtown, Raggabeats, Fdel, Armee, Cooker and Adema.  Tickets are on sale now.  Visit www.heatseeker.com.au for details. 

For further information on the 2006 Margaret River Pro presented by O’Neill, or to watch the event live online, go to www.margaretriverpro.com.  For travel, accommodation and visitor information, contact the Margaret River Visitor Centre on (08) 9757 2911, email welcome@margaretriver.com or visit www.margaretriver.com. 

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Julie Cameron
julie@jewelspr.com.au

WQS Contests - Surfersvillage