Neco Padaratz : photo Steve Robertson

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

Previous champions off to a flying start at Margaret River Pro

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 March, 2006 : - - Perfect waves to 1.5m (4 -6ft) greeted the 200 field of international surfers gathered at Surfers Point in the south west tip of Western Australia for day one the annual Margaret River Pro. 

Under sunny cloudless skies and with a brisk offshore wind creating high performance conditions,  former event champion Neco Padaratz opened the event with an ominious opening heat win defeating Portugal's Tiago Pires. Padaratz scored an excellent 8.17 out of a possible 10 for a long barrell ride and backed that score up with a strong 6.5 to easily win the heat. 

Padaratz is surfing in this event under controversial circumstances following a lengthy ban placed on him by the Association of Surfing Professionals last season for performance enhancing drug. While Padaratz argued the case that his medication was for medical reasons, the ban was enforced and Padaratz is now forced to compete from round one of all the World Qualifying Series events in an attempt to requalify for the elite World Championship Tour.  

With the ban behind him, Padaratz seems determined to simply get on with the job and following today win said " I love surfing here at Margaret River - We seem to always get great powerful waves here and I have had many good results here including a win in 2004 - It's very important to me this event, obviously more important now than maybe ever before so I look forward to doing my very best and hopefully achieving a great result - I know it's hard from round one but I believe I can do it." 

The other big and successful comeback today was from another former event champion in Michael Campbell. Like padaratz, Campbell has been a longstanding and highly rated World Championship Touring surfer who at one sage was rated number 2 in the world (1998). Eighteen months ago he needed a break from the grind of the world tour and retired but is using this event to make a comeback.  

In his four man heat today Campbell finished second behind local Yallingup surfer Jay Davies, with first and second positioned surfers both progressing to round two - Campbell looked nervous early in the heat falling on some potentially high scoring waves but settled in and managed to complete two good rides to narrowily progress ahead of experienced local surfer Brett Hardy. 

Relieved to progress Campbell said " This is the start of my comeback and it's good to get that heat out of the way and progress. It's no easier than when I left the tour 18 months ago and every heat is loaded with talented surfers so I need to really apply myself and get back into the competitive groove. My plan is to do all major events on the World Qualifying Tour this year and try and requalify for the Wolrd Championship Tour - It's a hard road but a great challenge!" 

Other standout surfers on day one of the event included Gold Coast surfers Shaun Harrington and Clint Kimminsalong with new Zealand's Bobby Hansen. 

The event runs all week with highest seeded surfers, including local West Australian champion and number one seed Jake Paterson, expected to enter the water at round four on Thursday. The outlook on the surf conditions is fantastic with solid 3 meter plus swells forcast for mid week and a continuation of excellent weather and wind conditions. 

Quarter finals through to finals of the event will run over the weekend with large crowds assured at one of surfings historic and great events. 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. 

To be held in conjunction with the Margaret River Pro will be the ninth annual ‘Mainbreak’ concert, on Saturday, April 1 at Margaret River Oval.  Mainbreak features 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 Bodyjar, Butterfingers, Cowtown, Raggabeats, Fdel, Armee, Cooker and Adema.  For tickets and full details, visit www.heatseeker.com.au.  

Contest runs from 7.00am daily.  Monday to Thursday (March 27 to 30) – entry is free.  Friday to Sunday (March 31 to April 2) – entry is $8 for adults and free for children under 12.  Industry VIP tickets are available for just $50, offering prime viewing from a licensed marquee - contact Surfing WA on (08) 9448 0004, email nadia.auletta@surfingwa.com.au or visit the Beach Life Surf Shop in Margaret River.  

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. 

Major sponsors include Tourism Western Australia and new presenting sponsor O’Neill Australia, the world’s leading wetsuit supplier and a committed supporter of Australian surfing and ASP events worldwide.  Other sponsors include Nova 93.7, Department of Sport & Recreation, SunSmart, Brownes Chill, Tooheys Extra Dry, Odyssey 2020, Surftech, Coca-Cola, Leeuwin Estate, 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.  

Previous reports:
# 1 : Big surfing names heading to 2006 Margaret River Pro.
# 2 : 2006 Margaret River Pro event schedule now available
# 3 : Young talent set to mount Margaret River Pro challenge
# 4 : Coming soon  

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Julie Cameron
julie@jewelspr.com.au

WQS Contests - Surfersvillage