The Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast is officially underway at South Straddie. It’s the first time the iconic Gold Coast beach break has featured in a major competition, and the prospect of watching the small but stacked field take it on is tantalising.

This morning’s conditions are a little wonky, it must be said, but there are diamonds in the rough. It reminds of competition at Supertubos in Portugal.

The women are out first up this morning and already controversy abounds. Tyler Wright, the winner of the last event at Cabarita, was eliminated in the very first heat by Macy Callaghan and young Sophie McCulloch. The latter snatching second place from Tyler by pulling into a closeout for a 1.73.

Steph Gilmore is in the water now, and hopefully, we’ll see the stacked Men’s field hit the water soon. All eyes will be on Ethan Ewing after his electrifying performance at Cabarita.

Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast Women's Round 1 Matchups: 
Heat 1: Tyler Wright, Macy Callaghan, Sophie McCulloch
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore, India Robinson, Sayaka Maramatsu (WC)
Heat 3: Nikki van Dijk, Zahli Kelly, Piper Harrison
Heat 4: Isabella Nichols, Keely Andrew, Dimity Stoyle

Boost Mobile Pro Gold Coast Men's Round 1 Matchups:
Heat 1: Mathew McGillivray, Jack Robinson, Liam O'Brien
Heat 2: Owen Wright, Stu Kennedy, Chris Bennetts (WC)
Heat 3: Wade Carmichael, Mikey Wright, Soli Bailey
Heat 4: Ethan Ewing, Connor O'Leary, Mitch Crews