The World Surf League Championship Tour will bring the top 32 ranked male (plus two wild card entries) and top 17 ranked female (plus one wild card entry) surfers to the extraordinary waves of Western Australia.
Surfing WA CEO and Event Director Mark Lane said this year marks the 30th anniversary of the event.
“We have a team of 300 staff and volunteers who work on the event - they are such a friendly and passionate group it’s no surprise that the Pro is regarded as one of the most hospitable events on tour.
“We made a strategic decision to keep the event free and we are expecting thousands of spectators at Surfer’s Point to watch the world’s best take on the famous Margaret River Mainbreak.
“The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is now one of the best surfing events in the world thanks to its elevated status on the Championship Tour.
“The investment made by the Augusta Margaret River Shire and Royalties for Regions to build the best viewing platform of all the CT events helped boost the status of the Pro and the experience of surfers, sponsors and media who attend.
“It’s watched by millions globally via the live webcast and the television broadcast – it really does put Western Australia, and particularly Margaret River, on the world surfing map.”
Mr Lane acknowledged the important role of sponsors, particularly the Western Australian State Government, which has been a sponsor of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro for over 25 years.
Margaret River is the only wine region in the world that also has world-class surf breaks worthy of a Championship Tour event.
Surfing legend Tom Carroll, winner of the 1986,1987 and 1992 Margaret River Pro, said he is looking forward to returning to Western Australia’s south west.
“I love the pristine environment of the Margaret River region, the clean air, the experience of surfing there and the feeling of being on the edge of an ancient continent,” said the two-time world surfing champion.
Mr Carroll will be a beach commentator during the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
Over 12 days, surfers will compete on the days producing the best conditions.
For more information, visit http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events