Lines pour into Kirra during its heyday. Photo by MTV’s
The first of hundreds of massive boulders were moved into place at Kirra Point groyne yesterday.
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate was on site to see the work begin and praised the extension of the groyne.
And before you ask, yes, this is the same Tom Tate who only a few months ago was public enemy number one within the Gold Coast surfing community for his plans to green light a Cruise ship terminal not far from Kirra.
In what seems to be a reversal on his previous thoughts on the importance of surfing on the coast, Tate said the work to reinstate 30 metres of Kirra groyne, which was removed in 1996, “marks a significant milestone for one of the Gold Coast’s most iconic surf beaches.”
He then went on to say, “The local surfing community asked City of Gold Coast to bring back the legendary Kirra groyne. We responded and $800,000 from the 2013/14 budget has been allocated to make this project happen”.
“The community wanted the groyne back, and by restoring it our aim is to support surfing in this area, for the Gold Coast locals and surfers worldwide.”
“As well as being a unique and beautiful part of our landscape, our beaches are a huge economic driver for our city. The surfing industry alone is worth over $3 billion to our local economy,” he said.
GC Mayor Tom Tate. on site to watch the first boulder drop.
Only time will tell what this will do for the wave, but only one thing is for sure – It’s a step in the right direction.
Rabbit Bartholomew has been one of a large group of Gold Coast surfers campaigning for years to have action taken in an attempt to bring the sand choked stretch of coast at Kirra back to life and he told ABC News that the green light for work to begin on the extension of the Groyne was “A welcome decision”.
“The last generation that really got to hone their skills at Kirra were Joel Parkinson, Mick Fanning, Dean Morrison, Dave Rastovich and Damon Harvey.
“It really helped them because it’s a barrel, it was the best tube ride in the world and they got to learn all about tube riding at Kirra and they were able to take that all around the world to Hawaii and become world champions.”
Work will be undertaken during standard work hours Monday to Friday and on Saturday between 7am – noon to reinstate the groyne to the surfing community as quickly as possible.
For more information visit: cityofgoldcoast.com.au/projectkirra
Below is some raw footage from the 1996 Kirra Pro, featuring Shane Beshen’s three perfect 10’s to get you excited, and also some footage from the 1994 Kirra pro.
