Girls face local waves with world's best surfers

Margaret River Main Break, celebrated for its world class waves and vibrant surf culture, came alive on Friday, as a sea of yellow rashies filled the lineup for the annual World Surf League’s ‘Rising Tides’ event.

Started by former professional surfer and WSL executive Jesse Miley-Dyer, the initiative hosts events at various Championship Tour locations around the globe, offering aspiring surfers – specifically young girls – the opportunity to surf alongside their heroes, build confidence in the water and gain insight into what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“When we first announced equal prize money for all WSL athletes, we also committed to a grassroots engagement program for girls,” Miley-Dyer shared.

“I remember when I was a kid starting to surf and going to contests – meeting women on tour and taking photos with them was such a powerful experience.

“We wanted to create that opportunity for everyone, to facilitate those connections and memories.”

From the early morning the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as groms from across the Margaret River region prepared to take on one of WA’s most powerful left hand reef breaks.

With light offshore winds and 6-to-8-foot waves, the junior athletes surfed alongside the likes of Felicity Palmateer, Sawyer Linblad and event wildcard, Bronte Macaulay, who mentored the next generation through firsthand guidance, encouragement and lighthearted fun.

Current world number one, Gabriela Bryan reflected on her experiences with Rising Tides both as a role model and a participant.

“I did Rising Tides before I was on tour, and even if you don’t end up becoming a professional surfer, just getting out there with your friends, catching good waves and knowing your place in the lineup is super important,” she said.

“Getting to see new girls come through each time and watching their progression – like Willow Hardy, for example, who’s in the main event this year – is super cool.”

Hosting the program at Margaret River brings a special energy.

With its heavy swell and renowned power, surfers as young as 7 years old faced the conditions head on, courageously tackling the west’s best, despite the morning nerves.

Bryan shared what makes this location-and its surfers-stand out.

“The girls here charge harder than anywhere else in the world.

“In Western Australia, I’ve noticed they surf because they genuinely love and enjoy it, and seeing them so happy in the water is really refreshing and inspiring for us as pros.”

Margaret River local Bronte Macaulay is set to compete in this year’s Championship Tour event as a wildcard, returning to her home break for the last CT event of her professional career.

But before donning a jersey for the main competition, Macaulay spent the morning giving back and sharing the stoke right where it all began.

“I feel like a lot of girls tend to stop surfing particularly around their mid to late teens, often because school or other interests take priority.

“My hope is that these girls continue to embrace surfing as something they enjoy for life.

“Initiatives like Rising Tides are so important because they help foster that ongoing love for the sport-whether or not the girls choose to pursue it competitively.”

More than just an inspiring morning in the water, Rising Tides represents the upliftment of women in sport and continues to build a stronger, more connected surfing community- one wave at a time.

As more girls around the world take to the waves, it becomes clear that the rising tide of young talent is stronger than ever before.