Local wildcard Bronte Macaulay says she’s ready to cause more upsets at the World Surf League’s Margaret River Pro after winning her way into the event at Sunday’s trials.

Macaulay, a past championship tour surfer, earned her spot the hard way for a second straight year after failing to qualify for a full-time place on the WSL’s elite competition through last year’s challenger series.

The 30-year-old from nearby Gracetown has a good record at her home event, including when a wildcard entrant in the past, having been a semifinalist the past three years.

And Macaulay hopes her local knowledge and experience of Main Break will again help her defy expectations.

“I’m really happy to have a spot and excited for the week ahead,” she said. “I try to come to Main Break as much as I can the few weeks before just to familiarise myself with the break.

“It is challenging coming in as a wildcard because you are the bottom seed but I feel like I’ve had a lot of time out at Main Break over the years and I’m at home here and very comfortable.

“It is definitely an advantage when everyone else is out on tour full-time.”

Macaulay will face 18-year-old world No.1 Caitlin Simmers and another American teenager, world tour rookie Sawyer Lindblad, in her opening heat.

“I’m probably like 10 years older than them or something, but it will be fun,” she joked. “They are both incredible.”

Macaulay, the daughter of WA surfing legend Dave, said she is still hungry to compete against the world’s best and wants to kickstart her 2025 qualification bid, via the the challenger series later this year, with a strong showing in Margaret River.

“I was two spots out last year,” she said. “I’m going to fly on the midnight flight the night this finishes to the Gold Coast and start that campaign. I just really enjoy surfing and I love the lifestyle and I’ve had a few months off now too to get excited again to compete.”

The first call on whether the event starts, or is put on hold to wait for better conditions, is due at 7am on Thursday.