Matt McGillivray Gets Cut From Championship Tour Of Surfing, Jordy Smith Aiming For Number One Slot In The World

The Western Australia Margaret River Pro, Stop No. 7 on the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT), returned to The Box for the first time since 2019, allowing a barrel shootout at the shallow-water slab for the first six heats of the men’s round of 16, before slower consistency and incoming onshore wind forced a move back to Main Break for the final two heats of the round. In the process, Matt McGillivray gets cut from Championship Tour and Jordy aims for number one.

The rising onshore wind and increasing swell quickly changed conditions, leading to a decision to call the women’s round of 16 off for the day, especially with so much on the line for the women’s field regarding the Mid-season Cut and re-qualification for the 2026 CT season. The competition has already been called off for tomorrow, Thursday, May 22, with an update on the call tomorrow for the following days. 

Smith Sets the Standard, Moves to World No. 2

The decision to finish the round at Main Break paid off for Jordy Smith (RSA), who delivered a dominant performance as he posted the highest numbers of the event to defeat Marco Mignot (FRA). An opening 7.83 (out of a possible 10) was followed by a 9.50 for a 17.33 (out of a possible 20) heat total as Smith’s explosive railwork lit up the large face of Main Break. The win moved Smith up to World No. 2 on the live rankings, with the potential for the 37-year-old South African to leave Western Australia in the Yellow Leader Jersey. It will be the fourth straight Quarterfinals appearance for Smith, who has tapped into rare form since winning his first event in seven years at Stop No. 4 in El Salvador.

“I was stoked, I started with that seven, and then to get the nine was special, so I was pumped,” Smith said. “I kind of had my strategy for [The Box], and then as we got there, the wind kind of was coming. I was like, ‘Oh, I might need to get an early start before that wind really hits in’. And then they just U-turn, come back, reset. They made a great call, you know, I think they predicted it perfectly. I know it worked out for me in the end.”

Dreams Come True as The Box Makes Triumphant Return

Out of the many surfers excited to see competition return to The Box, trials winner Jacob Willcox (AUS) was potentially the most happy. Despite growing up in Margaret River and competing in the event seven times previously, it was Willcox’s first opportunity to surf in a jersey at one of his favorite waves in the world. Competing against Joao Chianca (BRA), a formidable opponent in waves of consequence, Willcox made it look easy as he navigated the nuances of the reef on his backhand. An 8.17 was the high point of the heat for the West Australian who moved into the Quarterfinals of the Margaret River Pro for the first time, matching his previous best CT result from the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in 2019.

Though Barron Mamiya (HAW) had only surfed The Box twice before today, it was unsurprising to see the 25-year-old deliver a masterclass in technique. The back-to-back Pipe Pro winner has dedicated his life to developing his unique barrel-riding skills. Regardless, as soon as he was aware of the possibility of running at the slab today, the North Shore, Oahu local situated himself in the channel to watch Margaret River local Jack Robinson (AUS) free-surfing in order to study his positioning. The dedication paid off as Mamiya threaded barrel after barrel to collect a 15.17 heat total and defeat Jake Marshall (USA).

That Was Sick

“That was sick,” Mamiya said. “I was definitely freaking out inside, but I was like, ‘Hey, just be mellow.’ Sometimes in the past, at Pipe or Teahupo’o or certain waves where it gets me super, super excited, and I’m freaking out, I’ll let my emotions get too freaked out, and then I’ll go out there and blow it. So I was kind of just like, alright, stay calm, go out there and just surf a normal heat. And yeah, I got into rhythm, and everything ended up being fun. I got some waves, got some barrels, it was sick.”

Two Japanese teammates from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games faced off when Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) took on Connor O’Leary (JPN). The low-scoring numbers registered didn’t account for the charging that took place between the two. Determined to continue his rise up the rankings and stranglehold on the GWM Aussie Treble leaderboard, Igarashi patiently waited for the bigger, deeper barrels but was unable to find any exits. O’Leary was more active, managing completed rides on lesser waves, to extend his head-to-head record over Igarashi and progress to the Quarterfinals for the first time this season.

Colapinto Brothers Are Quarterfinal Bound: Griffin Scores 9-Point Ride at The Box, Crosby Makes the Cut

Both Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Crosby Colapinto (USA) claimed round of 16 heat wins today to move through to the Quarterfinals. A lackluster start to the season for the brothers, who both featured in the CT Top 10 in 2024, had them in danger of the Mid-season Cut, especially Crosby, who came into the event well below the Cut-line. After their performances in Western Australia, the two Colapintos were able to confirm their places on Tour as it heads to their home in San Clemente, California, for Stop No. 8.

The younger of the two, Crosby, was able to hold his nerve in the most pressure-filled heat of the day against Jackson Bunch (HAW). It was a do-or-die match for both surfers, with the winner moving above the Cut-line and keeping their place on Tour, and the loser relegated to the Challenger Series. With neither competitor able to score above a 4.50, the heat remained wide open right until the end, when Colapinto was finally able to breathe a massive sigh of relief at making the Cut.

“I feel like that’s one of the best heats of my life,” G. Colapinto said. “Getting barreled in a jersey is the dream, and I feel like I’ve kind of missed out on that a lot in my career, where like I lose and then the next day is just all-time barreling, you know Teahupo’o or Pipe, and I’m just on the sidelines, just so bummed. And today I woke up and went, wow, I’m in this, like I get to surf in this, you know, and I was just so grateful for that opportunity.”

deVault’s Dream Run Continues, Matt McGillivray Gets Cut

The Cut scenario for the men was simplified by the end of competition today. With Crosby Colapinto (USA) making the Cut, Matthew McGillivray (RSA) was bumped below the line, officially relegating the South African back to the Challenger Series. Two surfers now remain in contention for the final remaining position above the Cut-line, Imaikalani deVault (HAW) and the current occupant of the spot, Alejo Muniz (BRA), who was eliminated yesterday. Nothing short of a win will see deVault able to take Muniz’s place.

A win over Alan Cleland Jr. (MEX) today sees deVault into his first Quarterfinal appearance of the season, which couldn’t come at a better time as the 27-year-old continues his slow climb up the rankings. At Margaret River last year, the Hawaiian was able to do exactly what he needed to save his place on Tour. With an even higher requirement on the line this year, deVault will next face Jordy Smith (RSA), who today posted the highest scores of the event.

“I’m just really enjoying how I’m surfing in my heats,” deVault said. “I’m just stoked to kind of be putting good performances together. Hopefully the next round has good waves because Jordy [Smith] is probably one of the best out here, so it’s going to be a battle.”

 

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