Gabriela Bryan and Jordy Smith Win Margaret River Pro
Photo: Gabriela Bryan and Jordy Smith celebrating the 2025 Margaret River Pro win Credit: Beatriz Ryder / World Surf League
MARGARET RIVER, Western Australia (Tuesday, May 27, 2025) – Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Jordy Smith (RSA) emerged victorious at Stop No. 7 of the 2025 World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, the Western Australia Margaret River Pro. A condensed Finals Day saw the Semifinals and Finals unfold in subdued conditions at Main Break, but the level of surfing remained high as Bryan and Smith both secured their second wins of the season. With earlier triumphs in El Salvador, the pair are the only surfers with multiple wins in 2025, reinforcing their hold on the top positions heading into the Lexus Trestles Pro.
Bryan Secures Back-to-Back Wins at Margaret River
Gabriela Bryan (HAW) delivered a dominant performance in Western Australia to claim consecutive titles at Margaret River. The 23-year-old, who first reached the Final here in 2022 and won the event in 2024, returned as World No. 1 wearing the Yellow Leader Jersey. Her commanding win today ensured she retains that status heading into the next stop.
"It's incredible, I mean, I tried not to think about going back-to-back, but how cool it would have been to see my name twice on the stairs, one after the other," Bryan said. "So yeah, it's a really cool accomplishment. I don't feel like [the World No. 1]. I am, but yeah, yellow, wow. I try to just tell myself it's red, but I'm getting used to it. Every heat I have with it I get more comfortable. I thought I lost it over at Burleigh and then to come back with a win and now to wear it at Lowers. I can't wait to compete there, I haven’t competed there since I was a junior."
Bryan opened the Final with a 9.50, the highest scoring wave of her career, and backed it up with a 7.83 to build an insurmountable lead over Caity Simmers (USA), the reigning World Champion. Bryan had also posted a 16.34 heat total in her Semifinal against Lakey Peterson (USA).
"I'm honestly speechless, I don't even know what to think," Bryan said. "That 9.50 was just the wave. I turned around and that thing just came right at me. I saw the wave and it had a perfect line. I just kind of went out there, like just got to surf my heart out, and that's what I did on that wave. And then I was lucky enough to get a backup before it went flat. So yeah, I'm so stoked."
Caity Simmers Returns to Form
Caity Simmers (USA) finished runner-up in Margaret River, marking her third Final appearance of the season. After a strong start to 2025, Simmers experienced a dip in performance in Australia before bouncing back in Western Australia. She defeated Brisa Hennessy (CRC), Luana Silva (BRA), and Bronte Macaulay (AUS) with her signature rail work to reach the Final.
"It was just cool that we got a couple waves in that heat, because it was pretty inconsistent, and there actually ended up being waves in our heat," Simmers said. "But yeah, I think we have two different styles of surfing, and we both can get good scores from it. That's the beauty of surfing, there's not a straightforward way to do it. And [Gabriela Bryan] just won fair and square, there was no other way to put it. But yeah, it's really fun to watch. I had a perfect view of both of her waves. After I got my waves, I just turned around, and she's getting the 9.50, and then her next wave, too. I literally watched both of them from paddling out, and I was just like, well, whatever."
Smith Claims Second Win of the Season, Leads Men’s Rankings
Jordy Smith (RSA), now in his 18th season on Tour, captured his second CT victory of 2025 with a composed win in the Final against Griffin Colapinto (USA). Smith earned an 8.50 early in the Final, a wave that ultimately proved decisive in slow, inconsistent surf. The result strengthens Smith’s lead at the top of the men’s rankings as he eyes a World Title push.
"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 have fun and enjoy this 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. And 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."
"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, obviously my family first and foremost: 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."
Colapinto Climbs Rankings with First Final Appearance of 2025
Griffin Colapinto (USA) continued his strong track record in Western Australia, reaching the Final for the first time this season. Entering the event ranked 26th, Colapinto surged to 11th overall with highlight-reel surfing, including a Perfect 10 and a 9.00 at The Box. The Californian will now return to his home break at Lower Trestles for the next stop on the Tour.
"When we got in the water, I was having flashbacks to when I was, I must have been like 13 or 14 up at like 1am watching [Jordy Smith] win J-Bay," Colapinto said. "And I was staying up watching him win that, and then Modern Collective, and that being like my favorite movie ever. And then to us in a Final together is just a cool chain of events, you know, over time. So yeah, super grateful and psyched to see Jordy back on top and doing his thing again. Guy's one of my favorite surfers. Coming into this event, I was a little bit nervous about the Cut. Both my brother and I were on the bubble. So to get past that, it just feels like we're playing with house money and the weight's off our shoulders. I'm so excited to be going home and feeling that way."
Bronte Macaulay Caps Wildcard Return with Third-Place Result
Bronte Macaulay (AUS), competing as a local Wildcard, delivered a memorable performance to reach the Semifinals, marking an excellent farewell to her CT competition career. Now focusing on her studies and coaching, Macaulay’s performance at Margaret River was a fitting send-off in front of her home crowd.
Smith and Nichols Claim Inaugural GWM Aussie Treble Titles
The GWM Aussie Treble concluded in Margaret River, following events at Bells Beach and the Gold Coast. Jordy Smith (RSA) and Isabella Nichols (AUS) earned the first-ever Treble titles, along with new GWM vehicles, after accumulating the highest points across the series.
"Winning an event in Australia, let alone winning the Treble, is super, super special," Nichols said. "I couldn't have done it without everyone here supporting me. I want to dedicate this win to my sister, the newlyweds, Helena and George. Also, thanks to my family for being here, Mike McAuliffe for housing us, Kurt [Jacobs], Bottle [Jay Thompson], everyone who's been in my corner. I couldn't have done this without everyone's support. And also everyone here in W.A., thanks for the love. We always love coming here. Thanks for hosting such an incredible event."
Mid-Season Cut Finalised as Tour Heads to Trestles
The Margaret River Pro marked the final event before the Mid-season Cut. The field has now been narrowed to the top 22 men and top 10 women, who will continue to the next four regular-season events, including J-Bay and Teahupoʻo. Surfers who missed the Cut shift to the Challenger Series, beginning June 2 in Newcastle, Australia.
Women Who Made the Cut:
- Gabriela Bryan (HAW)
- Caity Simmers (USA)
- Molly Picklum (AUS)
- Isabella Nichols (AUS)
- Tyler Wright (AUS)
- Caroline Marks (USA)
- Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
- Luana Silva (BRA)
- Lakey Peterson (USA)
- Erin Brooks (CAN)
Men Who Made the Cut:
- Jordy Smith (RSA)
- Italo Ferreira (BRA)
- Yago Dora (BRA)
- Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
- Barron Mamiya (HAW)
- Ethan Ewing (AUS)
- Filipe Toledo (BRA)
- Jack Robinson (AUS)
- Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
- Miguel Pupo (BRA)
- Griffin Colapinto (USA)
- Jake Marshall (USA)
- Rio Waida (INA)
- Connor O’Leary (JPN)
- Marco Mignot (FRA)
- Crosby Colapinto (USA)
- Alan Cleland (MEX)
- Joao Chianca (BRA)
- Joel Vaughan (AUS)
- Seth Moniz (HAW)
- Cole Houshmand (USA)
- Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Western Australia Margaret River Pro Final Results:
- Women’s Final: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 17.33 def. Caity Simmers (USA) 12.84
- Men’s Final: Jordy Smith (RSA) 12.00 def. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 4.83
Source: World Surf League