MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia, Australia (Tuesday, May 27, 2025).
Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA) won the Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 7 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT).
It was a shorter Finals Day, featuring the Semifinals and Finals in slower conditions at Main Break. It still delivered standout moments and performances from the finalists. Bryan earned back-to-back wins at Margaret River with a commanding showing, marking her second event win of the season. Smith also secured his second victory of the year. This is a repeat podium for Bryan and Smith, as they both claimed victory in El Salvador earlier this year. As the only two surfers with two victories this season, their success further solidifies their positions. TRhey are on top of the rankings as the CT heads to Lower Trestles in San Clemente, Calif.
Jordy Smith Wins
Competing in his 18th season on Tour, Jordy Smith (RSA) has claimed a second CT win within the same season for the first time in his long tenure. Since winning his first CT in eight years in El Salvador, the 37-year-old has continued his exceptional form. He now sits with a strong lead in the rankings as World No. 1. Having previously placed runner-up to the World Title in 2010 and 2016, Smith has been in the Title conversation for much of his career. He now sits in the prime position to deliver on that promise. Smith has previously won three of the four remaining regular-season events. Two of those he has won twice, both in locations that he has called home, Trestles and J-Bay.
“It feels incredible, I think it’s just a testament to like, every day keep showing up, trusting what you’re doing,” Smith said. “I can’t just say that I’ve been doing all the work; I’ve got such a great team of people behind me. For me, this year, it’s just really been about having fun and enjoying it because it’s not forever. I think everyone’s going to be fighting for that top five now. There’s a lot of guys that are swinging for it, so that’s going to be really exciting. I think just having that opportunity to kind of push yourself against all the best in the world is all I’m really looking for. And yeah, take every day for what it is and don’t think too far down the line.”
Jordy Smith (Photo by Beatriz Ryder/World Surf League)
Perfection At The Box
After moving through an extremely wide range of conditions, from massive, unruly Main Break to slab perfection at The Box, the men’s Final was decided in small, inconsistent surf that saw only three waves ridden. With two previous Margaret River Pro runners-up, Smith and Gryphon Colapinto (USA), battling for their first event win, a fiery exchange was expected, but quite the opposite occurred. Smith opened with the single defining wave of the Final, an 8.50, earned through a variety of manoeuvres, echoing the type of surfing the South African had delivered throughout the event and across his long career. Meanwhile, after opening early with a 4.83, Colapinto dropped anchor, waiting for a wave that never arrived, and closed his account with just a single score.
“I’m so stoked, bru,” Smith said. “”It’s been a lot this week, a lot this last two or three months. Two people I want to dedicate it to, first and foremost, are my family: my wife, my mother, my father, my sister, and my two sons. And then, this is for Jack McCoy. He passed away just recently. It’s someone that’s inspired me throughout my whole life. All his movies, his videos, his family. This is for you guys. I’m sending all my love and prayers are with you guys.”
Further reading.
Blue Cheese on Wheels: A Surf Dad Story
The 10th Edition Of The Tiger’sMilk Winter Classic At Muizenberg This Weekend
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