George Pittar last appeared at the Margaret River Pro, a key event in the World Surf League, under challenging circumstances. The surfer, born in Manly and raised in Vanuatu, traveled to Western Australia in May of the previous year, aiming for a series of victories in tough waves to escape the mid-season elimination from the elite tour. However, a defeat in the round of 32 against Brazil’s Miguel Pupo ended his debut season prematurely. After the loss, a disheartened Pittar retreated to a secluded area near the athletes’ zone at the main break, sitting motionless for 15 minutes with a towel over his head, overcome by disappointment as his aspirations faded early.
On Sunday, prior to the final of this year’s competition, the 23-year-old revisited that same location. ‘Just before the final, I sat in the exact spot where I was last year after dropping off the tour,’ he explained following his win over Gabriel Medina. ‘The emotions are so different now.’
After his exit from the tour, Pittar worked diligently to regain his position, placing fourth in the secondary Challenger Series, which involved demanding contests in remote locations against experienced rivals. Building on a solid performance at Bells Beach earlier this month, he returned to Western Australia ready for another challenge.
Pittar began the event by facing two-time world champion Felipe Toledo from Brazil. Although Toledo led initially, Pittar secured an eight-point score to claim the heat. He then advanced past Italy’s Leo Fioravanti in the following round. In the quarter-finals on Saturday, he met current world champion Yago Dora, another Brazilian. Pittar trailed for most of the 35-minute matchup but, with only five seconds left, caught a wave and executed three strong maneuvers to edge out a win by just 0.07 points.
On Sunday, Pittar defeated former world champion Ítalo Ferreira from Brazil in the semi-final, capitalizing on superior wave selections in a tight contest. In the final, he faced three-time WSL champion Gabriel Medina, also a past winner of the Margaret River Pro and a Brazilian. Commentator Vaughan Blakey highlighted during the broadcast that Pittar was up against seven world titles, or eight including Medina’s coach, former champion Adriano de Souza.
In his 11th WSL event, Pittar overcame them all, sealing the victory with a nine-point wave, the event’s highest score. This marked his first win since a junior event at age 15. Raised surfing pristine, uncrowded waves in Vanuatu—where he speaks the local language Bislama and enjoys popularity among local fans—Pittar found the shift to professional competition demanding. He was not promoted as a young talent or a junior champion, but his fluid technique and forceful moves now suit him well among top athletes.
Coming after a tough 2023 season, this triumph after nearly a decade felt especially rewarding. ‘Last year was difficult, getting cut from the tour,’ Pittar reflected. ‘It was tough; it seemed like an endless struggle.’
Now back on tour with renewed self-assurance, Pittar inspired his fellow Australians to fetch a national flag after his semi-final win, anticipating success against Medina. Wrapped in the flag, he said, ‘I needed that belief. I can’t see myself as just filling a spot anymore. I aim to compete at the highest level. Even if it’s forced confidence, I embrace it fully. I’m thrilled.’
Earlier in the week at the venue, which holds varied memories for him, the song ‘Walking on a Dream’ by Empire of the Sun played, striking a chord. ‘That’s exactly how this week has felt,’ he noted.
Pittar now proceeds to the next tour stop on the Gold Coast, beginning Friday, ranked as the world’s second-best surfer. His adaptability in large waves and barrels suggests more achievements ahead. The contrast from last year is striking. ‘I can hardly believe I accomplished this,’ he said. ‘Yes, I won a championship tour event.’
