With two comps done and dusted, and Matty Wilko sitting pretty while everyone stands around scratching their heads, we cast our eyes west. Margaret River looms, with its whites and wines and a reputation for the heavy stuff, and in four days’ time the world’s best will gather on the shores of the Indian Ocean to await the kick-off of the Drug Aware Pro. After what went down last year, with the event shifting between huge waves at Main Break and the kind of Box that had most pros shitting their suits, the newest addition to the Aussie leg is establishing itself as a rugged and beautiful tour location that demands more versatility from competitors than anywhere else. With the prospect of North Point being added as a possible playing field, it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds in the wild west, if there’s a hint of coming bloodshed or if our newfound heroes will continue on their merry way.
Anyway, here’s some predictions from me following an impressive showing in my local footy-tipping comp last week.
Wilko won’t win
I want it to happen, you want it to happen, yet something tells me it won’t. Wilko’s in the form of his life, and over the course of the last two events he’s proved to himself, his competitors, and the surf world alike that he’s got the goods to have a serious crack at the top. But that pendulum can only swing so high, and with waves like The Box coming into play and a roster of highly-skilled, highly-experienced tube specialists in the mix, it’s hard to see him owning the podium for a third time running. Still, it doesn’t mean the wheels have to fall off. If a large chunk of the event takes place at Main Break and Wilko can put that mongrel backhand to use again, there’s no reason why he can’t keep the chasers at bay a little longer.
Kelly’s coming
Did everyone see that post-loss interview at Bells? For all Kelly’s candour and humble self-appraisal, there seemed to be something else at play as well. I think what we were seeing was the most successful competitive surfer of all time realising that, with Mick gone, Wilko winning, and the other heavyweights underperforming, this year’s title race is as wide open as ever—and that’s a scary prospect. Expect Kelly to come alive at this event, especially if things get big and hairy.
Adriano will rediscover the hunger
Since claiming the title in 2015, the little steam engine that could has looked more content than ever. His surfing at Snapper was smooth and polished, his Bells’ act displayed a wealth of experience, but what’s been missing is a bit of that diehard competitiveness we’re all so used to seeing. That won’t last. Guys like ADS live for the fight, and with a couple of close losses behind him and the prospect of defending last year’s win here on the line, he’ll be looking to step back into the kind of fierce headspace that’s seen him take down big names his whole career.
John John’s year is about to click
A runner-up finish here last year, a win at the Eddie, some smart heat showings in the opening two events—John John hasn’t really put a foot wrong this season, he’s just been on the receiving end of some close calls in tricky conditions. But if he’s given the right kind of canvas, namely big, scary barrels detonating over shallow reef, then the kid won’t leave much room for deliberation. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a ten from JJF, something tells me the drought’s about to break.
Beware the local hero
The southwest has long had a reputation for producing some of Australia’s most well-rounded surfers, the kind of guys that can switch from heaving pits to onshore ramps in the blink of an eye. So it was no surprise last year when local boy Jay Davies made it all the way to the quarters, taking out big names like Medina and Flores along the way. Although a local wildcard has yet to be announced, expect whoever gets the call-up to bring their A game and invaluable knowledge to an arena that has already proved challenging for some of the world’s best.
