Jack Robinson wins silver medal in Olympic surfing, delighting Margaret River locals

Jack Robinson missed out on the gold medal, but his surge to the Olympic surfing finals was more than enough for locals in the West Australian’s home town.

Robinson, who grew up in the state’s surfing heartland of Margaret River, won a silver medal, losing out to Tahitian hero Kauli Vaast in the gold medal match on Tuesday morning.

Students at Margaret River High School’s surfing academy gathered in the early hours of the morning, and during class, to cheer Robinson on.

Surf student Ruby Berry not only counts Robinson as an inspiration, but also a former neighbour.

“We’re so stoked for him — everyone in the house was cheering,” Ruby said.

“I remember seeing him when I was little and now to see him at that level is so inspiring.”

Olive Hardy said Robinson was a supportive presence at the local surf breaks.

“He is so nice to all the groms — you’ll see him anywhere and he will instantly be like ‘that was a sick turn’ if he sees you out in the surf,” she said.

Olympic silver ‘so sick’

A plaque bearing Robinson’s name is already fixed to the stairs of Margaret River’s famed Surfers Point following his win at the 2022 World Surf League competition.

Fellow academy member Macklin Flynn hinted the local shire should go one up in the wake of Robinson’s silver medal performance.

“I think he should have a street named after him,” Macklin said.

“A silver at the Olympics is so sick.

“It inspires me to also achieve that result and maybe go one better.”

Watching on from Taihiti, Robinson’s mother Mersina said winning an Olympic medal was better than any world title.

“The Olympics is huge,” she said.

“Even a silver medal is amazing to get to this point is fantastic.”

The celebrations look set to continue for South West residents.

Busselton’s Nina Kennedy is going for gold in the pole vault in the early hours of Thursday morning.