Gabriela Bryan and Jordy Smith delivered commanding performances at the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, securing pivotal victories that have significantly reshaped the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour rankings. Bryan defended her title, while Smith claimed his second event win of the season, both solidifying their positions at the top of the leaderboard.
Bryan’s Dominant Repeat Victory
Kauai’s Gabriela Bryan showcased exceptional power and precision, successfully defending her Margaret River Pro title. She defeated Caity Simmers in the final with a commanding score of 17.33 to 12.84. This marks Bryan’s second Championship Tour victory of 2025, following her win at the Surf City El Salvador Pro, making her the first WSL women’s competitor to achieve multiple event wins this season. Her opening wave in the final, a 9.50, was the highest single-wave score of her career, cementing her status as World No. 1 heading into the Lexus Trestles Pro.
- Second CT Win of 2025: Bryan secured her second victory of the season, matching her El Salvador Pro win.
- Defended Title: She successfully repeated as the Margaret River Pro champion.
- Retained World No. 1: Bryan maintained her top position in the WSL rankings.
- Career-High Score: Achieved a 9.50 in the final, her best single-wave score.
Smith’s Ascent to World No. 1
South Africa’s Jordy Smith also celebrated a momentous win, defeating Griffin Colapinto in the men’s final with a score of 12.00 to 4.83. This victory marks Smith’s second Championship Tour win of 2025, a first in his 18-year career. His consistent performance throughout the event, despite challenging conditions in the later stages, propelled him to the World No. 1 ranking, surpassing Italo Ferreira. Smith dedicated his win to the late surf filmmaker Jack McCoy, highlighting the emotional significance of his achievement.
Impact on Championship Tour Rankings
The Margaret River Pro proved to be a critical event for the WSL rankings. Jordy Smith’s win elevated him to the top spot in the men’s division, while Gabriela Bryan’s repeat victory solidified her lead in the women’s standings. The event also saw significant movements for other competitors:
- Griffin Colapinto moved up four spots in the rankings.
- Crosby Colapinto climbed 11 spots, the highest rise among competitors at Margaret River.
- Barron Mamiya demonstrated strong potential, positioning himself as a future world title threat.
Challenging Conditions and Standout Performances
The competition at Margaret River was marked by varied and often challenging conditions, with heats held at both The Box and Main Break. The Box tested surfers’ barrel riding skills, notably with Griffin Colapinto’s impressive 9-point wave. However, a fading swell in the semifinals and finals led to strategic, lower-scoring heats, requiring adaptability from the top athletes. Despite the fluctuating conditions, the event delivered high-stakes surfing and reshaped the competitive landscape as the tour progresses.
Sources
- Surfers Prepare for Competition at the Margaret River Pro Quarterfinals, Sports Illustrated.
- Surfers knifed at Margaret River stare down long summer of discontent, BeachGrit.
- Jordy Smith, Gabriela Bryan Get Historic Wins at Margaret River Pro, SURFER Magazine.
- Kauai’s Bryan repeats as WSL Margaret River Pro champion, Spectrum News.
- Jordy Smith heads into back third of season number 1 after Margaret River win but is he title favorite? –
BeachGrit, BeachGrit.
