Independent brewer Gage Roads Brew Co has strengthened its connections with the surfing community, welcoming two of Western Australia’s professional surfers as part-owners of the business.
The WA locals are Jacob Willcox, a 26-year-old from Margaret River who recently earned his spot on the prestigious 2024 Championship Tour after landing third in the World Surfing League (WSL) 2023 Challenger Series, and fellow Southwest Australian Bronte Macaulay who took out first place in the Ballito Pro of the WSL 2023 Challenger Series.
Willcox shared his excitement: “I went and had a surf, and a few Single Fins, with the crew up north last year when they were shooting the surf film. I knew I wanted to get on board for sure. Good people, good surf, good beer, good times.”
“I’m really excited to be getting on board with a brand that really resonates so much with me – WA-born, passionate about surf, marching to the beat of its own drum,” added Macaulay.
The additions to the business come a year on since the brewer first brought a surf team together, which includes pro-surfer and part-owner Jack Robinson, and free surfers Brenden ‘Margo’ Margieson, McKenzie ‘Mac’ Bowden and Ellie ‘El’ Brooks.
The announcement coincides with the release of Gage Roads’ debut surf film, Fins & Tins: A Gage Roads Brew Co Adventure, produced by Jacob Wooden of Woodrow Media.
Launching next week, the surf film follows the journey of Gage Road’s free surfers as they venture to the West Australian coast to discover the inspiration and origins for Gage Roads, and its connection to the ocean.
Gage Roads Executive Director Aaron Heary joins the group on the adventure, saying this is what the brewery is all about.
“Surf culture has always been such a big part of who we are. It first inspired the culture of the brewery and now it comes through in almost everything we do.
“It started off as sponsoring a few events, like the Whalebone Classic in Perth and the Burleigh Single Fin on the Gold Coast. Now we sponsor a whole bunch, like the Byron Bay Surf Fest and Noosa Surf Fest. And we’ve got our own team of surfers. I’m stoked we’ll be adding to that with Jacob and Bronte coming on and taking shares in the business. They’re both absolute legends.”