Pollock Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay to host the second Surfing South Africa Gromcomp this Saturday Over 50 surfers from all parts of the country will compete in the PE Gromcomp at Pollock Beach in Nelson Mandela Bay this Saturday. The PE Gromcomp is the second event in the 2016 Surfing South Africa Gromcomp series and comes a month after the Durban Gromcomp took place at New Pier. This Saturday’s contest is a curtain raiser to the 24th edition of the Billabong SA Grommet Games which takes place at Pollock Beach from next Thursday to Sunday March 27th. Most of the surfers competing in the PE Gromcomp are members of the Teams from the seven districts that will be participating in the iconic Grommet Games. This Saturday it is all about individual competition as surfers competing in six divisions vie for the 1A Surfing South Africa PST points on offer and a share of R8000 in prize money. The competitive U16 Boys Division has attracted the largest entry followed by the U12 and the U16 Girls Divisions. The Gromcomps cater for surfers in the U10 to U16 divisions and are a Surfing South Africa initiative which have been introduced onto the SSA calendar to improve the competitive edge of young South African surfers. The events are supported by the National Lotteries Commission as part of the SSA youth development programme. The PE Gromcomp has received sponsorship from Surfcentre,DecorPro, The Boardroom, StreetCred Chef and Boardtalk. The heats and schedule of events are available on www.surfingsouthafrica.co.za Surfing South Africa is the governing body for the sport in South Africa and is a member of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and the International Surfing Association (ISA).
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Australians Matt Wilkinson and Tyler Wright emerged victorious today, claiming the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast titles respectively, in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Snapper Rocks.
The opening events on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast pres. by BOQ showcased the world’s best surfing, massive upsets and a significant tone-setting for the season ahead. Wilkinson’s victory today marked his maiden on the elite Championship Tour with the Australian putting on an exciting performance throughout the event, pushing scorelines and knocking out top-seeded opponents. The goofy-footer unleashed a variety of technical maneuvers to solidify his position atop the ranks of the Jeep Leaderboard. Wilkinson previously dispatched reigning World Champion Adriano De Souza (BRA) and last year’s event winner, Filipe Toledo (BRA). Wilkinson faced Kolohe Andino (USA) in the Final and the frontside verse backside match-up did not disappoint. The two battled wave for wave, with multiple lead changes throughout. Wilkinson took an early lead with an 8.60 opening score and held off Andino until halfway through. Andino took the lead and stayed busy as the time ticked down, while Wilkinson waited for a wave. The Australian’s patience paid off with a 5.60 point ride at the six minute mark to regain the lead. With thirty seconds left on the clock Andino caught a wave to chase the 7.38 score needed, but Andino’s efforts were not enough. Wilkinson won the event 14.22 to 13.66. “I started this year with a win in the Qualifying Series and to win this event felt amazing. I did not expect this but I was hoping for it,” said Wilkinson. “My heat against Adriano is the kind of heat where I usually lose. I just got the score right at the end and it gave me the fire to make me feel like the ocean was on my side. I surfed well with so much pressure on, and I knew I hadn’t gotten a great Snapper wave this whole event, and that first wave of the Final had two really nice sections at the start. I am so stoked to win.” “I was hoping to make it in the top five or ten this year, and I have been at the back end of the teens for the last few years, so this is a different start,” continued Wilkinson. “I feel like I have matured a lot in my heat surfing and in my surfing in general. Hopefully I can put a lot of heats together this year and win the Title.” “There are so many great surfers that went out early in this event or did not make the final, so I am stoked, but obviously I wanted to win that final really bad,” Andino said. “I guess it is like the first loser, so it is going to fire me up even more. I am excited for the rest of the year. Obviously, I’ve got big goals and big plans, but it’s a long year. I’m trying to stay even-keeled with my attitude in surfing.” The final match-up of the Roxy Pro Gold Coast saw Tyler Wright (AUS) battle Courtney Conlogue (USA) in an epic clash. Wright looked smooth and powerful, claiming a win at the first event of the season and climbing the Jeep Leaderboard ranks to earn the top spot. Throughout the competition, Wright stayed focused and committed, winning each heat leading up to the Final. Today was the 10th match-up for Wright and Conlogue, adding a 7th win to Wright’s tally. Wright and Conlogue went wave for wave to start the heat, but Wright continued to outperform her previous wave scores to give her a control halfway through the Final. Wright showcased her powerful rail-to-rail surfing, with a clean and precise rhythm. Wright landed a 14.67 over Conlogue’s 10.94 to give Wright her second Roxy Pro Gold Coast Title. Wright will wear the yellow jersey going into Bells. This was Conlogue’s highest finish at this event, as it was her first Finals appearance on the Gold Coast. “The last few months and everything that has happened, it has been such an experience and a crazy one. It brought so much clarity for me and simplified everything so I could come here and absolutely be my best on the day. It made me realize that I want to win a World Title and I want to do it my way.” “I want to verse the best, and Steph (Gilmore), Carissa (Moore), Courtney (Conlogue) and all the girls on Tour, they are all the best. I just want to do my own thing. I’ve known for a long time that I could win and it is having that belief and going out in heats saying ‘Yes, you’ve got this - just get it done.’” “I want to thank Micro [Glen Hall] for being in my corner and helping me out, as well as my family and Rip Curl and everyone who came down today and supported us. It has been absolutely incredible so thanks.” “It was an amazing final as I always wanted to have a heat against Tyler, and she surfed absolutely stellar,” said Conlogue. “ I’m really looking forward to being at Bells and starting over again. I thought every heat was a challenge posing obstacles I had to overcome. Your biggest challenge is usually you and the ocean and trying to get yourself on the right waves and creating those opportunities to perform. I am happy to be out here. To be able to surf Snapper with only a few women out there is amazing.” Filipe Toledo (BRA), defending Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Champ and favorite to win the event, was injured after trying to perform an air-reverse in the Semifinals. Toledo fought through his injury to score a 13.27, but Matt Wilkinson (AUS) came back with a 14.43 two-wave combined score, earning a 6.60 in his last wave to advance to the Finals. “I went for the air on the last maneuver of the wave and when I was landing the wave just came up on my board and put the pressure on my leg, which went up and sideways,” Toledo said. “I kept surfing after that and it was painful. But now I am good. I am not dying at all, I am just feeling a lot of pain. Besides that, I am happy with my result. I was surfing good and the board was good.” In a major upset, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) knocked out reigning World Champion, Adriano De Souza (BRA), in the Quarterfinal match-up. De Souza began the heat with a relaxed approach, where Wilkinson took an early lead, but De Souza snagged the lead right back from Wilkinson. Needing a strong second-wave score to defeat the World Champion, Wilkinson caught a buzzer-beater giving him a 0.43 edge to eliminate De Souza. “He [Matt Wilkinson] has been surfing good with a nice rhythm as well,” De Souza said. “It was a tough heat. He got the score he needed right at the end. I’ll just keep fighting. It is another result where I’ll walk away thinking I can do better, I can improve. I’m definitely hunting for a good result at Bells.” Stuart Kennedy (AUS) continued his streak of upsets as he eliminated John John Florence (HAW) from the competition with a buzzer-beater ride in the last heat of the Quarters. Kennedy, who gained entry into the event as an injury replacement, earned a 15.23 combined two-wave score to defeat Florence’s 14.00. “I learned so much coming out of last year and I’m putting it all together this year and figuring out how it all fits together,” Florence said. “The Quarters isn’t a super bad result at all. I am confident going into the next events. I love Bells and Margaret. I am looking forward to doing some carves.” Carissa Moore (HAW), reigning WSL World Champion and last year’s event winner, was defeated by long-time rival Tyler Wright (AUS) in the Quarterfinals. Moore was not able to find a second wave score to answer back to Wright’s 8.50. Wright beat the three-time World Champion 14.17 to 14.00 despite a strong event showing from Moore who swept all heats leading up to the Quarterfinals. “Two minutes to go, I still feel like that was a lot of time,” said Moore. “Just the way that the waves were coming in I was losing a little bit of faith there, but wanted to fight all the way to the end. I am stoked for Tyler. It is good to see she is surfing really well and she’s in rhythm with the ocean. I think for me the most disappointing part of it is that I never felt like I opened up the entire event. It’s just one of those events where I didn’t feel like I really clicked. I am super stoked to start off the year with the semis, not bad.” Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com. For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Results: 1 - Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.20 2 - Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.66 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Results: 1 - Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.67 2 - Courtney Conlogue (USA) 10.94 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results: SF 1: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 14.43 def. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 13.27 SF 2: Kolohe Andino (USA) 14.23 def. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 14.20 Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results: SF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.17 def. Carissa Moore (HAW) 14.00 SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 15.27 def. Johanne Defay (FRA) 10.50 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results: QF 1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.34 def. Joel Parkinson (AUS) 12.16 QF 2: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 13.16 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 12.73 QF 3: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.00 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 4.83 QF 4: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 15.23 def. John John Florence (HAW) 14.00 Jeep WSL Men’s Leaderboard (after Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast): 1. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10,000 pts 2. Kolohe Andino (USA) 8,000 pts 3. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 6,500 pts 4. Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 6,500 pts Jeep WSL Women’s Leaderboard (after Roxy Pro Gold Coast): 1. Tyler Wright (AUS) 10,000 pts 2. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 8,000 pts 3. Carissa Moore (HAW) 6,500 pts 4. Johanne Defay (FRA) 6,500 pts The world’s best surfers returned to Snapper Rocks today to do battle in the elimination Round 2 of the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast pres. By BOQ. Stormy seas and regular wind and rain squalls did not hamper the surfers or the fans as the event ran through Heat 1 to 10 of the first elimination round of the men’s event.
The opening stop on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Quiksilver Pro historically sets the tone for the season ahead and today’s action saw huge drama amidst some sensational surfing. Adriano de Souza (BRA), reigning WSL Champion, opened action this morning by knocking out Quiksilver Trials winner Wade Carmichael (AUS) from competition. De Souza locked down two solid rides, giving him a 15.30 over Carmichael’s 11.00 combined score. “I came here about a month ago and started training for this event,” said De Souza. “It was good for me to come a month earlier and start practice, to see Mick and Joel and all those guys on the water has given me motivation, and I am happy to make this heat because Wade Carmichael surfed extremely well in Round 1. I hope I continue this form into the next round.” Sebastian Zietz (HAW) pulled a 7.60 buzzer-beater to take the lead over last year’s Quiksilver Pro runner-up and presumed 2016 WSL Title contender Julian Wilson (AUS). With only 1.23 points separating the two competitors, the injury replacement will advance to Round 3 and Wilson will be out of the event with an equal 25th place finish. “I was just glad that I surfed smart. There were a lot of waves that kinda came at the end there that I usually would’ve gone on,” said Zietz after his heat. “I just stood my ground and somebody sent me one and it was a pretty good wave. It was a slow heat, the tide is kind of getting funky and you’ve got to pick the right ones.” Stuart Kennedy (AUS), who gained entry into the event as an injury replacement, caused a massive upset in his Round 2 by eliminating 11-time World Champion and four-time Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, Kelly Slater (USA). With speed and commitment, Kennedy charged down the line to earn a 9.50, garnering him a collective two-wave score of 15.73 and defeating Slater’s combined 13.10 total. “I obviously came into this event as a replacement, it feels a bit weird replacing Bede (Durbidge) because he is so good,” said Kennedy after winning his match-up. “I am going to have to face all the top seeds in every event that I get into so I just need to surf out of my skin. I just psyched myself up with some hard music before and just stuck to my game plan. That seemed to work ” Ryan Callinan (AUS), 2016 WSL CT Rookie, continued the day’s upsets when he took on a returned-to-form Jordy Smith (ZAF). With multiple lead changes throughout the heat, Callinan was able to find the right waves to rack up a two-wave score strong enough to advance him to the next round and issue the first rookie victory of the event. “I’m a bit overwhelmed at the moment,” said Callinan. “First heat win on the CT so it feels really good. I’m just happy to still be going in the comp and hopefully the waves are really good tomorrow. It’s been a childhood goal to validate myself as a CT surfer and over the years I have had a fair few people tell me that they feel like I deserve to be here and it makes me feel like I deserve to be here now also.” Callinan’s Round 2 victory was joined by fellow rookies Conner Coffin (USA) and Kanoa Igarashi (USA) who took down Kai Otton (AUS) and Keanu Asing (HAW) respectively. Coffin, in particular, seemed poised against the veteran Otton, gaining an early lead and maintaining the edge to clinch by a mere 0.17 points. “I was really surprised at the beginning because I was trying to hold the inside against Kai and he kind of let me have it, and I was not expecting that,” said Coffin who will advance to Round 3. “Then I was able to pick my first wave, and luckily, I saw it had a nice wall and lined up on the inside and was able to link up a couple of good turns, so I was stoked I got a 7 on that one.” Asing, into his second season on tour, controlled the heat right off the bat, but Igarashi stepped up his game to grab the win with a combined score of 12.27, only a 0.01 point lead over Asing. “I’ve never felt these kinds of nerves in my life before,” Igarashi said after advancing out of Round 2. “I think this heat win is really going to give me a confidence in my surfing and for the rest of the contest and for the rest of my surf career, really. I’m just really happy that I have amazing boards, amazing support, and I cannot ask for anything more.” John John Florence (HAW), fresh off his emphatic victory at The Eddie at Waimea Bay, secured his place in Round 3 after defeating rookie Davey Cathels (AUS). Cathels put up a good fight, scoring 12.66, but it was not enough to beat Florence’s 14.36. “I’ve just been really focusing myself in these types of waves and that is kind of where my surfing feels like it has had slow spots in the past,” Florence said. “I want to do the best I can this year. I don’t have any movies or things like that so I’m just putting all my focus into the tour and it’s something different for me.” When competition resumes, up first will be 2016 WSL Rookies and former WSL Junior Champions Caio Ibelli (BRA) and Jack Freestone (AUS) in Heat 11 of Round 2. The WSL Commissioner’s Office will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 7:35am start. Surfline, official forecasters for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, are calling for: The current easterly swell will hold into Monday morning with head-overhead sets and decent conditions, ease some for Tues/Wed but still plenty contestable, then fade thereafter. Possible dose of modest SSE windswell at the end of the waiting period. Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com. For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 2 Results: Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.30 def. Wade Carmichael (AUS) 11.00 Heat 2: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 13.10 def. Julian Wilson (AUS) 11.87 Heat 3: Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 15.73 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 13.10 Heat 4: Josh Kerr (AUS) 13.50 def. Adam Melling (AUS) 10.83 Heat 5: Ryan Callinan (AUS) 15.74 def. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 12.00 Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW) 14.36 def. Davey Cathels (AUS) 12.66 Heat 7: Conner Coffin (USA) 13.33 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 13.16 Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 15.37 def. Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 13.47 Heat 9: Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 12.27 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 12.26 Heat 10: Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.43 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 9.07 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Remaining Round 2 Match-Ups: Heat 11: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Jack Freestone (AUS) Heat 12: Matt Banting (AUS) vs. Kolohe Andino (USA) The 2016 Samsung Galaxy World Surf League Championship Tour officially kicked off yesterday as the world’s best surfers hit the waves at Snapper Rocks for the first round of competition at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast presented by BOQ.
With building three-to-five foot (1 – 1.5 metre) waves pulsing through the primary venue of Snapper Rocks, the world’s best surfers commenced the 2016 season in fine fashion. Italo Ferreira (BRA), 2015 Rookie of the Year, came out of the gates strong in Heat 1 againstRyan Callinan (AUS) and rookie Keanu Asing (HAW). Ferreira’s backhand was tack sharp and proved the Brazilian has only improved since his rookie season, setting his sights firmly on a WSL Title contention. “Last year was the most amazing year of my life,” Ferreira said. “I surfed with my heroes and had a good year. I’m really excited to be back this season and hope I can do better. Very happy to win the first heat of the year.” Michel Bourez (PYF) showcased his power surfing in Round 1 Heat 2 with a 7.00 point ride, the highest in his heat. Bourez will advance straight to Round 3 after edging out Adam Melling (AUS)and Julian Wilson (AUS). “It is pretty hard to have the best strategy there,” said Bourez. “It is breaking all over the place and you have to be super lucky to be at the right place at the right time. That wave came out of nowhere and I was pretty lucky to be there.” Filipe Toledo (BRA), defending Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast winner, led Round 1 Heat 3 against CT veteran Jadson Andre (BRA) and injury replacement Stuart Kennedy (AUS). The three battled wave for a wave, but Toledo pulled out a 7.83 to secure his position. Toledo will advance to Round 3, and Andre and Kennedy will battle in elimination Round 2. “Coming here again to defend my title with really good boards and with the wind in the first round makes me more comfortable and excited for the next round,” said Toledo after the heat. “I am now trying to push harder in ways that I really need to improve. Last year I had a good feeling fighting for the title so this year I feel more comfortable. I know I have the potential to be there, too.” Sebastian Zietz (HAW) seized his opportunity to score big with a risky layback maneuver, earning him an 8.67, but Gabriel Medina (BRA) answered back with a massive score in his last wave giving him a combined score of 16.17. Zietz fought hard to defeat Media and was just 1.37 points shy of the win. Zietz and rookie Caio Ibelli (BRA) will compete in Round 2. “I wasn’t waiting for that one, I was just hoping for a good wave,” Medina said. “That was a tricky heat. I did not know where to sit. I was kind of lost and I am just stoked to make it through that heat.” Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL Champion, quickly put up a solid score in Heat 5, but it was trials winner Wade Carmichael (AUS) who put the pressure on by returning with an 8.93 ride. The all-Australian match-up continued to heat up as both Fanning and Carmichael exchanged high scoring rides, but it was Fanning who came out on top at his home break. “I wasn’t tense, I was laughing and relaxed. Even paddling out in the heat I wanted to surf and get a couple of good waves and it was fun,” said Fanning winning after his heat. “I always just want to go surfing. I’m not as freaked out to be the first one in the water anymore it is more about just surfing when I want to surf and being in love with it.” Heat 6 saw a heated battle unfold between reigning World Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA) and event wildcard Michael Wright (AUS). Andino quickly set the pace with a big 9.10 ride, but Wright and De Souza continued to fight for the lead against Andino. This heat saw a big upset with wildcard Wright edging out De Souza and the yellow jersey by 0.04 points. “I was pretty stoked for Quiksilver to give me the wildcard this year,” said Wright. “It was a little dusty at the start, but that last one was a pretty fun and I was stoked to get a couple of good waves.” CT veteran Jeremy Flores (FRA) battled rookie Davey Cathels (AUS) in Heat 7. Cathels put up strong scores, but it was not enough to defeat Flores’ two-wave score of 15.90. Cathels came close with 15.00, but will head to Round 2 with fellow Australian, Adrian Buchan who had a combined score of 10.74. “It is just another day, another year in the office,” said Flores following his heat. “We are lucky to have such an incredible job, but we have to take it seriously. It is my tenth year and I feel like I still have a lot to show.” We saw an exciting match-up in Heat 8 between eleven-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS) and Conner Coffin (USA). Slater had a great start with a 7.67, but fell into third priority for a majority of the heat. The three exchanged solid rides, but it was Wilkinson who progressed through with a two-wave combined score of 17.00, beating Slater by 3.73 points and Coffin by 4.83 points. “It started off a little bit slow and I put down a fairly good score and then I had priority,” Wilkinson said. “With Kelly and Conner out there I knew I had to use my priority ride. That one came and Kelly was paddling and I took off. I ended up with a really good one, so I was stoked.” Wiggoly Dantas (BRA) snagged the top two scores in the heat, giving him a total of 17.26 points against Jordy Smith (ZAF), who garnered 13.43 points, and Miguel Pupo (BRA) who scored 12.47 points. Dantas expressed his confidence after the heat. “I learned a lot last year,” said Dantas. “I have been here for ten days already so I have been surfing with a lot of boards and finding the magic board.” The last heat of Round 1 had no shortage of excitement with the battle between Australian veteran Joel Parkinson, rookie compatriot Jack Freestone (AUS), and Hawaiian John John Florence (HAW). The early high scores challenged each surfer to push their performance throughout the heat. Florence and Freestone put up a solid two-wave score, but it was not enough to beat the local CT veteran’s 8.60 opening ride. “I definitely had a little bit of local knowledge in that one,” Parkinson said. “I felt that Jack was pretty tense in that heat. The first time on the big league and the big stage really does play a role in your head, but I was really impressed with how much he relaxed. I know in my first ever CT heat I was so much more nervous than probably what he was.” Surfline, official forecasters for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast, are calling for: 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. Lingering swell Tuesday into Wednesday. Fading E swell late next week as steep angled short period SSE windswell mixes in. The WSL Commissioner’s Office will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to assess conditions for a possible 7:35am start. When Quiksilver Pro competition resumes, up first will be reigning WSL Champion Adriano de Souza (BRA) up against Trials winner Wade Carmichael (AUS) in Heat 1 of the elimination Round 1. Highlights from the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE at WorldSurfLeague.com. For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Results: Heat 1: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.00, Ryan Callinan (AUS) 11.10, Keanu Asing (HAW) 8.80 Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 11.50, Adam Melling (AUS) 10.37, Julian Wilson (AUS) 6.06 Heat 3: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 14.36, Jadson Andre (BRA) 13.30, Stuart Kennedy (AUS) 10.67 Heat 4: Gabriel Medina (BRA) 16.17, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 14.80, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 8.10 Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS) 17.24, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 16.00, Matt Banting (AUS) 9.90 Heat 6: Michael Wright (AUS) 13.74, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.70, Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.10 Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 15.90, Davey Cathels (AUS) 15.00, Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.74 Heat 8: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 17.00, Kelly Slater (USA) 13.27, Conner Coffin (USA) 12.17 Heat 9: Nat Young (USA) 12.87, Alex Ribeiro (BRA) 12.14, Kai Otton (AUS) 11.50 Heat 10: Taj Burrow (AUS) 15.40, Josh Kerr (AUS) 12.26, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 11.40 Heat 11: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 17.26, Jordy Smith (ZAF) 13.43, Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.47 Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 14.10, John John Florence (HAW) 13.56, Jack Freestone (AUS) 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) Reigning World Champions Carissa Moore (HAW) and Adriano de Souza (BRA) were joined by a selection of their Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour (CT) peers at the 2016 season launching press session for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro presented by BOQ in Coolangatta.
Moore claimed her third World Championship in spectacular fashion at the last event of the 2015 season and has spent the last few months celebrating, training and focusing on defending her crown. Moore won an incredible four out of 10 events on last year’s CT, the first of which was right here on the Gold Coast. “I really happy to be back on the Gold Coast with a clean slate,” Moore said. “I love this place! Everyone’s got a really great energy, everyone gets behind the event. Hopefully we get some good waves and we can put on a show. I just really want to continue to be passionate, and enthusiastic and surf with my heart and put on good performances.” De Souza is heading out at the Quiksilver Pro in unfamiliar territory as reigning World Champion. This season will be his 10th among the elite on CT and will see him hit the water in the coveted WSL Jeep Ratings’ Leader Yellow Jersey. “I don’t feel like I’m number one,” De Souza said. “I definitely feel comfortable and confident leading into the first event, but I don’t feel like I’m above everyone else. Last year was the best year of my life with what I achieved, but this year is just another year, hopefully it can be similar to the last one.” The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast will be one of the only events that three-time World Champion Mick Fanning will compete in this year as he plans to take a personal year for 2016. However this will not affect the way the former event winner and Coolangatta local will approach the competition as the always determined Fanning eyes of the win. “Definitely a different perspective on this season’s event with the personal year, but if I’m here, I’m here to win,” Fanning said. “We’ve had an incredible run of swell, maybe the best the bank has ever been. It’s different, but I’m feeling good. I have a goal to requalify this year and I’m certainly motivated to perform at home.” Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), six-time World Champion sat out most of the 2015 CT due to a knee injury suffered free-surfing in WA, but will return to fighting fit form at her home break this week. “I’ve had enough time off and now I’m ready to get back to work,” Gilmore said. “I’m not trying to put pressure on myself about winning - I just want to put on a good performance that I’m happy with. I’ve been training hard and I’m feeling fitter than ever, but I also know the level of surfing on Tour has never been higher. It’s exciting.” After a Quarterfinals berth at the 2015 Roxy Pro Gold Coast, World No. 2 Courtney Conlogue (USA) will be looking to go a few steps further at the 2016 event. The Californian has her sights set on claiming her maiden World Title after coming painfully close and missing out in 2015. “It’s been great to process 2015 and recharge over the offseason,” Conlogue said. “We had great waves in California and I’m feeling really amped for the 2016 season. I have some great boards and can’t wait to get the event underway. Hopefully we get some good waves.” The only rookie present at the press session was young super-star Kanoa Igarashi (USA) who will be paddling out at Snapper for the first time in a CT Jersey. Although there is no question he can perform on the big stage, Igarashi will have to come to terms with the fact that he will be surfing against his idols in every heat. “I’m still coming to terms with all of this,” Igarashi said. “I’m a little nervous, but confident at the same time. My boards and body feel good so now I just need to get out there and give it my best. I think once the hooter goes for my first heat it will all start to sink in.” The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Trials also wrapped up today, with reigning World Junior Champion Isabella Nichols (AUS) winning a spot in Round 1 of the main event against Carissa Moore. Wade Carmichael (AUS) took out the men’s Trials, The Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com as well as the WSL app. The event is also being carried by our LIVE broadcast partners Fox Sports Australia, CBS Sports in the United States, ESPN Brasil, Globosat, Edgesport, Sky NZ, Sport TV, Canal + Deportes, Channel Nine, MCS, Starhub, and Oceanic Time Warner Cable 250 & 1250 in Hawaii. For more information, log onto WorldSurfLeague.com Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Match-Ups: 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), Sebastian Zietz (HAW) Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Matt Banting (AUS), Wade Carmichel (AUS) Heat 6: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Wade Carm Heat 7: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Davey Cathels (AUS) Heat 8: Kelly Slater (USA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Conner Coffin (USA) Heat 9: Nat Young (USA), Kai Otton (AUS), Alex Ribeiro (BRA) Heat 10: Josh Kerr (AUS), Taj Burrow (AUS), Kanoa Igarashi (USA) Heat 11: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Miguel Pupo (BRA) Heat 12: Joel Parkinson (AUS), John John Florence (HAW), Jack Freestone (AUS) Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Match-Ups: Heat 1: Tyler Wright (AUS), Johanne Defay (FRA), Alessa Quizon (HAW) Heat 2: Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Coco Ho (HAW) Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Chelsea Tuach (BRB), Isabella Nichols (AUS) Heat 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Sage Erickson (USA), Bronte Macaulay (AUS) Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Laura Enever (AUS) Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW), Keely Andrew (AUS) |
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July 2021
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