A controversial non-interference ruling at the World Surf League stop in Margaret River set off a heated dispute during Heat 9 of Men’s Round 2. Reigning world champion Yago pulled back as local wildcard Jacob Wilcox appeared beneath him, and both surfers believed interference had occurred. Two of five judges signaled interference but the majority did not, and officials ruled no interference. About ten minutes later Wilcox caught a wave that effectively turned the heat in his favor, and the day, the league’s longest on record at 28 heats, was overshadowed by the contested call.

Tempers flared in the water and continued up the stairs, prompting a locker-room security call. The dispute spilled into the car park, where Wilcox, Yago’s coach, former boxer Danny Green, WSL security and others confronted one another and the situation nearly became a physical brawl. A reporter said they were told to “delete footage.” WSL security eventually calmed the scene and both parties left separately. There were no reported physical blows.

The episode cast a spotlight on officiating decisions and the potential for off-field incidents to follow contentious in-competition rulings at the Margaret River stop.

Sources