Denmark’s Isi Campbell and Albany’s Lily Shepherd chase Margaret River Pro spot as they tackle WA trials event

Denmark surf sensation Isi Campbell and former Albany resident Lily Shepherd will be out to try win a place at the Margaret River Pro when they battle with a host of WA’s best competitors on Sunday. Surfers Point will host the Think Mental Health WA Trials, where 24 of WA’s finest surfers will be in action. Two competitors — one male and one female — will carve their way into the fifth event of the World Surf League Championship Tour and surf alongside champions of the sport in home conditions. The 2024 WA Margaret River Pro event already includes local talent Jack Robinson and Jacob Willcox. Campbell has been one of the hottest young surf prospects in WA over the past couple of years and in 2022 she competed at the world championships before being named WA Junior Surfer of the Year. Shepherd grew up in Albany but now calls Geraldton home, where she is working as a nurse, and has been competing in the north of the State. The WA Trials will mark the start of an adrenaline-charged fortnight of professional surfing in WA, with 12 males and 12 females vying for their shot at glory on one of the sport’s biggest stages. “The event stands as the pinnacle of the pathway to the Pro initiative, offering two remarkable WA surfers the chance to showcase their skills against surfing’s elite,” Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane said. “Selected based on their stellar performances over the past year, these trialists represent a fusion of local talent, State and national champions, rising stars, qualifying series competitors and former CT surfers, all eyeing their moment in the spotlight.” The Great Southern pair will do compete against Bronte Macaulay (Gracetown), Ruby Berry (Margaret River), Willow Hardy (Margaret River), Coral Durant (Red Bluff), Claire Bevilacqua (Yallingup), Emma Cattlin (Yallingup), Mia McCarthy (Margaret River), Kaleisha Launders (Margaret River), Grace Cook (Cowaramup) and Rosie Gillett (Dunsborough) for the coveted Margaret River Pro spot. “This is as big as it gets for our local surfers,” Surfing WA events manager Justin Majeks said. “Our 24 surfers have followed unique paths to earn their spots in the trials and we wish them all the best as they embark on this thrilling journey towards the Pro.” Results from the World Qualifying Series rankings, State championships, specialty event winners and boardriders clubs nominations determined the selection of surfers in the event.