Organizers at the Margaret River Pro in Margaret River, Western Australia, said a solid swell filled Main Break, producing overhead to head-high, six- to eight-foot surf that enabled A-class power surfing. Judges rewarded aggressive approaches throughout the day, and photographers captured a pumping first day as athletes pushed for high-performance turns and committed maneuvers.

Officials ran 28 heats on day one: eight Women’s Round 1 heats, four Men’s Round 1 heats and 16 heats to finish Men’s Round 2. First call was set for 6:50 a.m. AWST Thursday, with a possible 7:05 a.m. start; the event runs through April 26.

The world’s best surfers have arrived for Stop No. 2 on the Championship Tour and as part of the GWM Aussie Treble, an early-season indicator of form. Kanoa Igarashi called the six- to eight-foot waves “so rippable,” likening Margarets at that size to a “big XL version of Lowers,” and said he struggled early but found his rhythm after the first 20 minutes. Organizers said coverage and heat running will depend on how the swell and local conditions evolve, with fans and media poised to follow a concentrated period of high-performance surfing over the coming days.

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