Willcox on the edge
WA’s valiant goofy footer Jacob Willcox’s championship tour career is on a knife’s edge as he heads home for the Margaret River Pro starting on Thursday.
After working his butt off for 10 years to qualify for the championship tour, Willcox’s time in the top echelon may be short and he could face relegation to the challenger series after only five events.
Following his defeat at Bells, in a closely-fought heat with Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi in the round of 32, Willcox was in the commentary booth where he remained positive and said that, despite the loss, it was the best he had felt this year, and was making smart decisions and competing well.
“This year I’ve made some pretty bad decisions and it let me down,” he said. “It’s a little frustrating but here I am at Bells, it’s a beautiful place, WA soon, happy days.
“I think sometimes people don’t recognise how hard this really is, competing against the best.
“You’ve got to be on your game all the time.
“Not that I didn’t think it was going to be hard, it’s definitely challenging, but that’s kind of why you do it, it makes you a better competitor and better at what you do.
“I feel like in the first couple of events I made mistakes and they were so crucial, one mistake and that’s the heat done.”
He can’t afford any mistakes at Margaret given he is ranked 25th, three shy of staying on tour.
WA compatriot Jack Robinson is safe from the cut in fifth spot. He returns to his home break after a two-year absence, which is a bonus for local fans of his incredible surfing.
Now, an update to last week’s story about Perth’s wave park saga (No cockies but wave park is green for go, Surfing, March 30).
Aventuur said environment minister Reece Whitby had dismissed the appeals against the clearing permit for the site and work on the park would soon get under way.
“The minister’s decision brings to a close two years of rigorous environmental review and assessment and follows decisions by both the federal department of environment and the WA Environmental Protection Authority that all significant environmental impacts occasioned through the development of the Perth surf park are able to be sufficiently offset though revegetation and other activities,” a spokesperson said.
“It’s exciting times ahead as it means Aventuur can now look to get on and build Perth Surf Park which will become a significant local recreation and entertainment destination and attraction for international and interstate visitors.”