Dusty Payne wins the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro

Can you believe a man who surfs as well as Dusty Payne has only just won his first major surfing event? Watching the Hawaiian ride a wave in after beating Josh Kerr in the final of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, an ASP Prime event, the thrill of a first win was written all over his downward fist-pumps. “I’ve never won anything before, this is sick!” said Dusty. “This is my first major win and this is an awesome event. I’m so glad to win in Western Australia, I love it over here!” Dusty didn’t lose a heat on his way to the final, clocking up some heat totals like 18.60 and 18.00, and locking in a 9.23 outta 10 for one wave in the final against Josh. “I was in good rhythm at the event, which never happens,” continued Dusty. “Lucky, I guess. I’m just so stoked right now. I was injured for half of last year and had to sit on the sidelines and watch my friends surf and win events, and now here I am. It feels great.” Josh, who also kinda killed it through most of the event, was just happy to be in another final (Pipe Masters!), and was a gracious loser. “I’m stoked for Dusty,” he said. “He’s been surfing so good at this event. I almost penciled him in for the win before I paddled out for the final because he’s been surfing so good. I also made some errors out there and was behind in the end, but I’m super stoked to be in the final. It was one of those ones where a bit of luck went my way in a few heats so you’ve got to be happy when that happens.” And now, we look to Bells Beach.