Local Favourites: Dave Macaulay

Back when the Margaret River Pro was called ‘The Masters’,  Macaulay (or DMac) was the first West Australian to win the event. He’s placed 3rd overall on the World Championship Tour – twice. Then in 2018 he became a World Surf League World Champion after securing first place in the men’s Masters division.

Quite literally shaping his career since the early 80’s, Dave started his surfboard shaping journey at the iconic Murray Smith Surfboards in 1983. Under the support and mentorship of surf veteran Murray himself, he went on to win his first World Championship Tour (WCT) event in Brazil, in 1986.

Nowadays he can be found crafting boards in a tiny coastal town of not-so-tiny world class breaks, and his passion for surfing, shaping and surfboard making is still as strong as ever. He also coaches his daughter Bronte Macaulay, a professional surfer who became an official Tour member in 2017 and is still taking home titles.

If you’re hoping to rip on one of his boards, you’ll find them at Dave Macaulay Surf Designs and Yahoo Surfboards and Surfboard Hire, or view some of his iconic boards at the WA Surf Gallery at Arimia Estate.

Read on to find out where his favourite local surf spot is, and other must-visit spots in the Margaret River Region.

Boranup Beach is really beautiful, with white sand and clear aqua-coloured water. There’s plenty of room to find your own spot, and as a bonus it’s a really nice drive down Caves Road to get there.

It’s always Margaret River Brewhouse as the food and vibe is great, it’s super reliable and we just never have a bad time there.

1. Flutes Restaurant at Brookland Valley
2. Margaret River Brewhouse
3. The River

A picnic at Ellenbrook, it’s a beautiful spot.

Autumn is my favourite time of year. It has the best surf, with crisp offshore winds, and the weather is still really nice but it’s cooled down a bit so the mornings and evenings have a bit of a chill. It’s also a bit quieter, with the summer crowds thinning out.

Margaret River’s Mainbreak, Surfers Point.

It’s got to be Lefties. I can ride my bike down, and it’s an epic high-quality wave that’s always reliable. It’s a left hander which suits me as a goofy rider, and there’s often a few friends down there to catch up with.

Checking out Lake Cave, Contos Beach and the Karri Trees on Caves Road!