Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast 2016
Filipe Toledo going for broke on his way to winning the 2015 Quiksilver Pro. Photo: WSL/Kirstin Scholtz
Introduction
Yes Ladies and Gents! Buckle up and get ready because we’re back! Another fun filled year of competitive surfing is upon us, as we follow the worlds top 34 surfers around the globe. This is the World Surf League Championship Tour for 2016.
Break Down
Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast, the first meeting point where the worlds best surfers will do battle to come out on top. Snapper is situated just over the boarder of New South Wales in a small coastal town called Coolangatta. The famous connection from Snapper to Kirra is like a freight train, you can take-off at Snapper Rocks and can potentially surf all the way through to Kirra, for a total ride length of up to two kilometres; all thanks to the Superbank. This seems to be the trend with the Superbank absolutely firing of late thanks to Cyclone Winston.
For much of the top 34, the off season brings down time, epic surf trips, getting married (Adriano De Souza), or getting the jump on pre season training. However the top 34 spent their off season, one thing is for sure they’re all well rested and hungry for a world title!
2016 Rookie Class
Lets dive into the 2016 rookie class. The rookies for 2016 have never looked so good. Young and hungry to win. Im very excited to see these wonder kids take on the worlds elite. With the likes of Jack Freestone (AUS), Ciao Ibelli (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN), Alex Riberio (BRA), Connor Coffin (USA), Davey Cathels (AUS) and Ryan Callinan (AUS). All these kids have proven them selves on the WQS and are gunning to up set the top dogs in the big leagues.
World Title Predictions
I’ve made some predictions for the world title this year. My crystal ball(s) tell me Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Julian Wilson (AUS) will be neck and neck for the race. Julians goal for last year was to put together a consistent season, he did that. Now he’s hungry for the trophy. Medina on the other hand is looking for his 2nd title. The kid has every move in the book on lock. Airs, tubes and hacks. Expect this to be a monster show down. I also think that Kelly Slater (USA) will make one last push for a 12th title. If he doesn’t get it you can expect his resignation at years end. I’ve also been reading up on John John Florence (HAW) who’s apparently more focused than ever to win a title. No injurys, no video parts to get him sidetracked and fresh of a win at the Eddie Aikau. Watch this kid….
Injury List
Bede Durbidge (AUS), Owen Wright (AUS) and Alejo Muniz (BRA will not be competing in the Quiksilver Pro this year due to on going injurys. Owen sustained a brutal concussion during a free surf at Pipe last year before the Pipeline Masters. This has put Owen on the back foot. He’s still not 100% but expects he will be around half way through year. Bede is also nursing a pelvic injury he sustained at Pipeline last year. Alejo also has a knee injury that will keep him out of competition .They will be replaced by Aussie young gun Stuart Kennedy(AUS) and ex tour aces Adam Melling(AUS) and Sebastion Zeitz (HAW)
Wildcards
The WIldcards are Mikey Wright (AUS) and Central Coast ripper Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Offical Forecast
The offical Surfline Forecast is yet to be announced.
Fantasy Surfing
Fantasy surfing is back for another year. Be sure to pick your team in time and join the Boardworld group to see who comes up trumps at years end. Maybe Jeremy will throw a BW prize pack to the winner. If you want to double up on FS surfermag.com and also do a fantasy surfing comp with all surfers holding a dollar value. This one is a little more strategic as you have a certain budget that you must stick to. Ill be making a Boardworld club here if anyone is interested. The club is called Boardworld and the passcode is Boardworld
Summery
In conclusion folks it’s set to be a fantastic year of surfing. The worlds best surfers in the worlds best waves. Turn the phone off, lock up the girlfriend, grab a coldie and get ready for the ultimate show down. The 2016 World Surf League World Title race!!!
Event kicks off 10th of March.
Mens Round 1 Heat Draw
Heat 1 Italo Ferreira (BRA), Keanu Asing (HAW), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 2 Julian Wilson (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 3 Filipe Toledo (BRA), Jadson Andre (BRA), Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
Heat 4 Gabriel Medina (BRA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Sebastion Zeitz (HAW)
Heat 5 Mick Fanning (AUS), Matt Banting (AUS), TBA
Heat 6 Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), TBA
Heat 7 Jeremy Flores (FRA), Ace Buchan (AUS), Davey Cathels (AUS)
Heat 8 Kelly Slater (USA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS) Connor Coffin (USA)
Heat 9 Nat Young (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Alex Ribero (JPN)
Heat 10 Josh Kerr (AUS), Taj Burrow (AUS), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
Heat 11 Jordy Smith (ZYF), Wiggoly Dantas (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 12 Joel Parkinson (AUS), John John Florence (HAW), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Nice! I was just down watching some of the insane surfing at the Superbank last weekend.
I’ll definitely be checking it out the Quiksilver Pro!
Here are some photos I took on the weekend which I was real stoked with. 
Sweet photos Dan! If you can make it down to the comp its well worth the look!! Look forward to more pics!
Sweet photos Dan! If you can make it down to the comp its well worth the look!! Look forward to more pics!
Yeah man, I will definitely go check it out and hope to get lots of photos! Cheers.
Awesome write-up, @surferguy56. Great photos, @Dan83.
Offical Surfline Forecast
Brief Overview: Steady trade windswell/swell to produce plenty of rideable and even fun zone surf first several days of the waiting period. Bump up in size for Sunday/Monday.
Swell/Surf Outlook
We are expecting to see average but very contestable and even fun zone surf for the first few days of the waiting period (Thursday through Saturday). This is expected to pick up some over the weekend – especially by the second half of the weekend. The surf for the first few days of the waiting period will be easterly trade windswell/swell from high pressure located near/over New Zealand today and a trough of low pressure near New Caledonia. This is expected to provide a steady fetch of 15-20kt easterly winds for the middle to back half of the week. In fact satellite observations are showing winds of 15-20kts in this trade wind belt so the forecast is high confidence. This will keep steady trade windswell/swell in the water Thursday, coming up a notch for Friday and then holding steady through Saturday.
Alright, I’m in for Fantasy. Bring it on!
Day 1 Recap
Day 1 of the Quiksilver Pro kicked off with a bang! Rookies, tour vets and wildcards alike were all lighting it up!
MIkey Wright relegated world champ Adriano De Souza to round 2 with some serious power surfing. Mick Fanning was in fine form blitzing his round 1 heat and Davey Cathels put in a stella debut performance only to come up short against Jeremy Flores.
Big hitter Julian WIlson had an unexpected shocker with the lowest heat score of the day, knocking him into sudden death round 2.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira 12.00, Ryan Callinan 11.10, Keanu Asing 8.80
Heat 2: Michel Bourez 11.50, Adam Melling 10.37, Julian Wilson 6.06
Heat 3: Filipe Toledo 14.36, Jadson Andre 13.30, Stuart Kennedy 10.67
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina 16.17, Sebastian Zietz 14.80, Caio Ibelli 8.10
Heat 5: Mick Fanning 17.24, Wade Carmichael 16.00, Matt Banting 9.90
Heat 6: Michael Wright 13.74, Adriano de Souza 13.70, Kolohe Andino 9.10
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores 15.90, Davey Cathels 15.00, Adrian Buchan 10.74
Heat 8: Matt Wilkinson 17.00, Kelly Slater 13.27, Conner Coffin 12.17
Heat 9: Nat Young 12.87, Alex Ribeiro 12.14, Kai Otton 11.50
Heat 10: Taj Burrow 15.40, Josh Kerr 12.26, Kanoa Igarashi 11.40
Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas 17.26, Jordy Smith 13.43, Miguel Pupo 12.47
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson 14.10, John John Florence 13.56, Jack Freestone 13.44
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Upcoming Round 2 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Stuart Kennedy (AUS)
Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 5: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Davey Cathels (AUS)
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS) vs. Conner Coffin (USA)
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) vs. Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 9: Keanu Asing (HAW) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (USA)
Heat 10: Jadson Andre (BRA) vs. Miguel Pupo (BRA)
Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 12: Matt Banting (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA)
Highlights: Quik Pro Gold Coast Sees Power Performance
Day 2 Recap
The rookies were out in force today for their round 2 clash. Demolishing the likes of Kelly Slater, Jordy Smith and Kai Otton. These tour vets and more were sent packing on another epic day of surfing.
Highlights: Young Guns Dominate Round 2
Day 3 Recap
10 point rides, world champs bought unstuck, and rookies dominating. That was day 3 of the Quiksilver Pro.
Filipe Toledo dropped the first 10 point of the year in his round 4 clash against Joel Parkinson and Connor Coffin. Filipe had a series of blazing hacks and flawless top to bottom surfing. Local hero Mick Fanning went down to an inform Sebastion Zeitz. Heat of the day must go to Stu Kennedy and Gabriel Medina. Kennedy and Medina went blow for blow in their round 3 clash, Stu, not showing any signs of fear took it to the 2014 world champ carving and sliding his way into round 4. Blistering stuff from the injury replacment.
Highlights: Rookies Continue to Rule
Filipe Toledos Perfect 10
Gabriel Medina Vs Stu Kennedy
Matt Wilkinson and Tyler Wright are your 2016 Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Champions for 2016!! Well done to both
More to come.