The Brazilian Storm blew through Bells Beach and left the rest of us licking our Aussie wounds. Now the Championship Tour heads to Western Australia for the raw, unforgiving slabs of Margaret River — this isn’t Winkipop. This is heavy water, fat lips, and maybe even some cones of consequence.
Here’s some help for your fantasy team for Stop 2.
Women’s Tier A: Gabriela Bryan Is Mandatory. Pickles Is Right There
Bryan is the defending champion at Margaret River, she just won Bells, she’s wearing the yellow jersey, her power is unmatched. If you don’t have her on your team…good luck out there.. Molly Picklum is a must too — she lost the yellow jersey at Bells and will be absolutely frothing to get it back. Don’t bet against a pissed-off, world champion Pickles at a heavy wave with massive end sections.
Contrarian Pick: Alyssa Spencer Keeps It Going
Spencer was arguably the surprise of Bells, making the semis before falling to Bryan. She had an electric coming back/out party much to the chagrin of popular fantasy picks. She’s a goofy with a backside attack that genuinely suits heavy righthanders, and after that Bells run her confidence will be sky-high. Was Bells a fluke? Is she this season’s Sawyer? Let’s find out.
Women’s Tier B: Riss and Brooks
The pick: Carissa Moore. Five-time world champ is looking free this season. She had a solid Bells showing after her hiatus and looks good. Margaret River’s powerful righthanders suit her explosive rail game, and she’ll be hungry to remind everyone why she’s one of the greatest ever.
Contrarian: Erin Brooks. Quietly one of the most dangerous surfers on tour in heavy conditions and slipping a bit under the radar right now. Maybe for good reason. But at some point she is going to connect the dots and this could be it.
Women’s Tier C: Vahine, Sawyer, and the Wild Card
Vahine Fierro. The Tahitian surfer is built for raw, heavy conditions. She had good showing last year barely going down to Isabella Nichols in the Round of 16. Vahine has the wave-reading ability to go deep when conditions get serious.
Sawyer Lindblad. Her sharp backside attack on powerful rights has already proven itself through her young career and carries huge value if she connects on few Main Break walls. Also, she has surfed well the last two years before going down to Gabby…we think she’s worth a few coins on betonline.ag.
Also worth a look is veteran local Bronte Macauly.
Men’s Tier A: Gabriel Medina Is Back.
Medina was the story of Bells even without winning it. He posted the highest heat total of the entire event in the quarterfinals before falling to Dora’s buzzer-beater in the semis. He’s back, he’s sharp, and heavy powerful waves suit his surfing. Plus, he won at Margaret River in 2023. Don’t be surprised.
Griffin Colapinto — Sneaky Doubler
Colapinto reached the Bells semis before falling to Pupo. His powerful frontside attack suits Margarets’ long, grinding walls and massive end sections. He’s not exactly a sleeper but he’s also not Jack.
Contrarian Tier A: Barron and Leo
I mean did you even see Leo’s wave against Fil at Bells? Fioravanti quartered last year at Margs and we expect at least the same result here. His oil boy will be all over him.
Margs lends itself to heavy water riders and Barron Mamiya is at the top of the pack. He semi’d last year. Sleeper pick.
Men’s Tier B: Jordy Smith. That is all.
Jordy won Margaret River in 2025 and has been quietly surfing some of his best competitive surf in years. He surfs heavy waves for breakfast, and defending champions at Margies tend to go deep. He’s a steal in Tier B.
Other Tier B: Rio, EE and Cros
Rio has been quietly posting solid heat wins across the tour. He’s got nothing to lose. Pure upside pick in Tier B. Ethan Ewing will be looking to wash off Bells with some monster hacks in WA. And Crosby Colapinto’s big frame and swooping cuttys took him to the semis here last year. We expect he’ll be fired up.
Men’s Tier C: Um Jack.
No need to explain this one. However, Robo did get knocked out in the first round last year to Imaikalani deVault, so the home court advantage only goes so far…but surely we won’t lose our favorites two events in row? Right?
Also, local lord, Jacob Wilcox. He’s one step away from the CT and quartered here last year.
Take A Flyer: Big Al
Al Cleland reached the round of 16 last year and could easily thrive in the big, chunky chaos of Margies…he’s a true wildcard and worth a flyer.
Friendly Fire Match-Up Of The Event
We love covering Jack with Kauli Vaast if you go in that direction. The Tahitian could easily go on a run if he gets past the fav. And if he spoils your power surfer it gives you some hope.
The Margaret River window opens April 16. Get your picks in and good luck out there. 🤙
Oh, and not too late to join!