North Point Locals Block The WSL’s Proposed Run Time Like A Creepy DM

Much like when the world’s goofyfoot contingent – few, but proud – banded together to hijack our Stance Poll for their own selfish motives, the locals at North Point have taken a stance against the WSL’s local conduit for the Margie’s event, Surfing WA, who wanted the option to run four full days of competition at the scorching right reef. 

“Nahp,” said the Gracetown local council. “You lot get two days, then back to mushy Margie’s,” (or something along those lines).  

That’s according to Perth Now, who revealed this masterful blocking maneuver – perhaps the best since Zeke vs. John at Bells last year. 

More from their story: 

Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane said to avoid “future cancellations” the event needed flexibility to host finals at North Point without having to file last-minute applications for permits.

“It’s just all about popping scenarios into a risk matrix, how do we minimise our risk in the future given the uproar last year which occurred through cancellation,” he said. 

“I believe if we had to cancel it (the event) again… it wouldn’t be back for a long time.”

Shire president Pam Townshend said Surfing WA was coming back with more information to Wednesday’s council meeting when it would reconsider the North Point proposal.

“We don’t want to bring about the end of the Pro,” she said.

“What we need to be assured of is that there is a real understanding of the environmental constraints and a very robust management plan.” 

Miggy Pupes jags another off the local crew. Photo: WSL

Now, let’s be real.

Unless Dave Rastovich recently moved to Gracetown and started a cult of eco-surf warriors, we can reasonably assume that “environmental constraints” are not the real issue at hand. It’s more likely that North Point locals want that lovely slice of reef all to themselves and not in the greasy hands of “The Man” (WSL). 

And while we’re saddened by the potential loss of competition days at North, we must offer a nod of appreciation to the Gracetown locals for evolving their craft.

In a world where threats of physical violence, and actual physical violence, are no longer tolerated in the sanitized surf world (remember the Mikey Wright vs. Jesse Mendes “almost” fight?), Gracetown’s saltiest heads have discovered a more appropriate avenue to assert ownership over their local swing set. 

Politics, baby!