Ethan Ewing Shines On Opening Day at Margaret River

Yesterday, in his opening round heat at the Margaret River Pro against Kade Matson and Reef Heazlewood, Ewing took off on one of the largest waves of the morning, drove through a bottom turn, and unleashed a frenzy of spray. The score? 9.5, and mostly for that one turn. 

Think the judges are hot on him?

While Ewing's score was the highest of the day, there were other highlight moments, including Italo Ferreira's pocket 8.5s and Jordy Smith's 9. Considering the average size of Main Break, it was consistent, clean and totally contestable, and nearly every heat in the opening round was competitive. 

Unfortunately, the elimination round heats got the short end of the stick, and Luana Silva, Bronte Macaulay and Otis North were sent out (and then sent packing) in very average, wind blown surf. It got so bad they called the event after the first men's heat, when John Florence was very nearly eliminated by North, in what would have been a travesty for the best surfer of all time to perform at Margaret River. 

With the mid-year cut looming, Silva is hanging on by a thread, currently above the cut, but after yesterday's elimination, likely not for long. 

On the men's side, Miguel Pupo, Kelly Slater, and Deivid Silva are all in the elimination round, and they're also below the cut line. 

What happens to the GOAT if he doesn't make the cut? Will he retire? Take another season wildcard? Hope for an event wildcard in Tahiti to try to win and go out on a high note?

One thing's for sure: Slater's last ever 'CT heat can't be at Main Break Margaret River in the elimination round. 

Right?