Calvin Best

OK, I'll spare you the obvious Margaret River wine puns, which so often leave a bitter aftertaste. This years Margaret River Pro was a memorable affair with great surf on most days and a final day that featured an old legend, rising stars and a relatively unknown powerhouse standing on the winners dais. It was, as they say, a fine vintage.

Local photographer and Swellnet reporter, Calvin Best, snapped all the action.

The surf pumped in Margaret River yesterday for the Telstra Drug Aware competition. Yet as good as the surf was at Mainbreak - and at 6'-8' and offshore it was pretty damn good! - spectators were distracted by the action going down on the other side of the bay. The Box was throwing out meaty slabs for a hungry horde, amongst them Kelly Slater who attracted an armada of boats and even a heliicopter to document his session. 14-year old uber-grom, Jack Robinson, also threw himself over a couple of cliffs.

As far as summers go West Oz is having a cracker. While there's been nothing huge they've been copping plenty of mid-range swell with good conditions to boot.

Last week our Margaret River reporter, Calvin Best, swum out to his local to photograph a few of the lads at close range. In typical style the natives are riding longer boards, taking off late and laying a bucketload of rail.