John John Florence might own the most excellent rides of any competitor at Main Break but Margaret River is still Jack Robinson’s backyard.
And the hometown favourite took full advantage of his local knowledge and a pumping 6-8ft swell on Sunday to win his second Margaret River Pro in three years, in a high-quality repeat of his 2022 final against Florence.
Robinson, 26, trailed early against two-time world champion and two-time Margaret River winner Florence.
But like he did during his maiden win at his home break two years ago, Robinson summoned two incredible waves and took full advantage, cashing in with a two excellent scores of 9.10 and 8.17.
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READ NOW“It was pretty cool to have a final with John, it’s pretty special, especially after I missed last year, to come back and start right where we left off,” Robinson said after prevailing 17.27 to 16.04.
“He inspires me a lot wherever we are in the world and he’s one of those guys who brings the best performances out of myself and a lot of the other guys on tour.”
An emotional Robinson reflected on how special it had been to return home to Margaret River in almost two years with wife Julia and four-month-old son Zen for the first time, having missed last year’s home event with a knee injury.
“It’s incredible, it’s amazing, it’s scary sometimes, you don’t know what you are in for at times, it’s everything, every emotion you feel but I’m just really thankful I can bring him on tour and have him be with me,” he said of becoming a father for the first time in December.
“They are so much a part of this. He’s born in the water, he came from it and I feel like it’s his home, I dunk him under all the time.
“First trip back with him and first time back since the year he won. We saw all my family, so it’s a special moment.”
Robinson said he had fed off the passionate home crowd, which roared from atop the Prevelly hill every time he paddled on to a wave, and credited time spent at home fishing with keeping him relaxed throughout long periods of waiting at the stop-start event.
“The crowd gave me more energy than I’ve ever had before in my life,” he said. “I try to make it fun, I knew the event was going on but it almost felt like I was just having a good time the whole week.”
Robison’s also leapfrogged Florance into No.2 in the rankings after the result, with Florence maintaining No.3 ahead of Australia’s Ethan Ewing who slipped to No.4 after his round of 16 exit.
American world No.1 Griffen Colapinto held onto the top spot despite his shock elimination by wild-card George Pittar, whose fairy-tale semifinals run in just his second championship tour start was ended by a dominant Florence in a heat that included a perfect 10.00 ride.
Hawaiian superstar Florence said he had enjoyed another strong event in Western Australia despite losing in the final — including adding to his record 51 excellent scores at Main Break.
“I think this wave is really similar to Hawaii, it has a lot of power on an open face and a lot of raw ocean and for me I get really excited by it because it’s just a lot of speed,” he said.
“The final was a good final . . . I just didn’t get one of those big clean open ones.”
Earlier, the final male surfer left fighting to avoid the mid-season cut, Brazil’s Samuel Pupo was eliminated in the quarterfinals sending him back to the challenger series. Margaret River’s Jacob Willcox also among those who missed the cut earlie,r after going out in the round of 32.
Men’s semifinals
HEAT 1: John John Florence (HAW) 18.40 (10.00, 8.40) v George Pittar (AUS) 14.87 (7.70, 7.17)
HEAT 2: Jack Robinson (AUS) 14.33 (7.33, 7.00) def. Seth Moniz (HAW) 13.70 (7.37, 6.33)
Men’s final
Jack Robinson (AUS) 17.27 (9.10, 8.17) def John John Florence (HAW) 16.04 (8.77, 7.27)