Jay Davies : 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

Local talent the standouts at Day 2 of the Margaret River Pro

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 28 March, 2006 : - - Local knowledge does count in surfing, with two West Australians and relatively unknown surfers on the World Qualifying Series (WQS) proving to be the clear standouts on a windswept day two at the Margaret River Pro presented by O'Neill. 

Yallingup (WA) youngster Jay Davies (19 years of age) continued his good form from yesterday by advancing through his Round Two heat today.  In his four-man heat, Davies finished equal first with highly-rated Portugal surfer Tiago Pires, with both first and second-placed surfers advancing through to Round Three. 

The powerfully-built Davies exhibits a typically aggressive WA surf style and is looking forward to taking on some of the higher seeded surfers at the event, particularly with an increasing swell forecast for the coming days.  He will face Hawaiian Raymond Reichle and Brazilian Heitor Pereira in Round Three and coming out of the water today, was enthusiastic about his chances. 

“Margaret River is certainly one of the better events for me, and the bigger the better for me here.  I'm familiar with the waves out there and very comfortable in these type of conditions, so it's a great opportunity.  I have to really try to capitalise on this event.  My form is good and the surf outlook is bigger and better over the coming days, so I'm looking forward to my next round and hopefully to keep progressing.” 

The highest-scoring winner today was local Dunsborough (WA) surfer Jason Duffy.  The two-time State Champion surfer posted the highest wave score of the event to date, with an excellent 8.93 out of a possible 10, and backed it up with a strong 7.83 ride to leave his three opponents chasing a combination of scores to progress. 

“Living down here over the past 12 months has been good for my surfing and I’ve been practising out here a lot recently.  It’s paying off and I feel I have an advantage over most of the rest of the field.  That advantage won't be so obvious as the higher seeded surfers come through, but if I can maintain today’s form and get the right waves in my heat I’m confident in this field,” said Duffy following his heat today. 

This year’s Margaret River Pro runs as a four-star WQS event, providing unique opportunities for up-and-coming surfers like Duffy and Davies to contest the Series in a field mixed with young surfers and the more experienced competitors. 

Later in today’s Round, fellow young WA surfer Tom Clarke (Rockingham) joined Davies and Duffy in Round Three with an easy win over Brazilian Diego Santos and Japan's Shota Nakamura.From a local perspective, not so fortunate was high-profile Kalbarri surfer Ry Craike, who was narrowly eliminated in his Round Two heat. 

Other standouts on what was a shortened day due to strong southerly winds, included former event champions Michael Campbell and Neco Padaratz, who jointly progressed through their heat.  Both looked very confident in their surfing, as did Portugal's Tiago Pires who has performed consistently well at Margaret River over the past three years. 

The surf outlook remains excellent for the remainder of the week.  At the event site today was the event’s number one seed, WA's favourite surfing son and current World Championship Touring surfer Jake Paterson, who optimistically predicted excellent conditions leading into the weekend.

Paterson, along with current event champion Troy Brooks and Mark Occhilupo (both Queensland) will most likely surf their opening Round Four heats on Friday, with the event’s final rounds running throughout the coming weekend. 

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 : Previous champs off to flying start at Margaret River Pro

# 5 : Coming soon
# 6 : Coming soon
# 7 : Coming soon
# 8 : Coming soon    

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Julie Cameron
julie@jewelspr.com.au

WQS Contests - Surfersvillage