It has been, and always is, a long wait from the end of the Billabong Pipemasters to the beginning of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. While the surfing world takes the time to reset and reshape, the loyal fans have to go on bread and water for a couple of months, it is a bleak time of year for the spectator.
Well the wait is over, and we have drunk from the well, and we are satisfied. Good lord what an exciting first day of contest. Last night (for me) saw the first round of the guys' and the girls' Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast completed and while the waves where definitely average, the performances by the rookies...just outstanding.
Among the stand-out performers were Italo Ferreira and his air game, Wiggoly Dantas who put together a solid heat and at one point looked like he had the skills to take down Gabriel Medina, Matt Banting who did take down 3 times world champ Mick Fanning. Another surprise result was Kelly going down to Freddy P, the 11x times world champ was not available for comment afterwards, possibly smashing a board or two up?
I am no contest director, but the forecast that I have seen suggests that they might have a week or so with not many heats being run, but the long range forecast is showing a bump in the swell, so I hope they wait for that, we want to see a barrel shoot out at Kirra don't we, just like 2 years ago. My hands are going together in silent wishes to the powers that control the swell, please bring it...
Keep an eye on what is going on or catch up on the heats you have missed at
http://www.worldsurfleague.com/