The WSL has made a bold but necessary decision to relocate the Gold Coast Pro from Snapper Rocks to Burleigh.
In the wake of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, the Superbank stretch is lacking one essential ingredient – sand. Organisers have made the call that even the proverbial Surfing Sandman – The Tweed River Bypass – will not be capable of replenishing the ten’s of thousands of cubic metres of sand required to make the Superbank a viable option for competition.
“Snapper Rocks is one of the most perfect waves in the world, and this was an extremely difficult decision to shift locations,” said WSL APAC President Andrew Stark.
While many fans may be disappointed by the deep hole the spelt the demise of Snapper, there is undeniably upsides to Burleigh as a contest venue.
Burleigh can produce, thick grinding barrels across various sections, it has a more organic feel than Snapper and is arguably more open to swell. Meanwhile, the Burleigh headland rivals the Bells cliffs as the ultimate natural amphitheatre for surfing.
Burleigh was the original home of man on man surfing and the fabled Stubbies Classic ran at Burleigh from 1977 to 1988.
The Stubbies and Burleigh provided the framework for some of pro surfing’s most celebrated moments in and out of the water. Various QS events have run at Burleigh in recent years and this weekend it will host the ABB teams event.
In recent years Burleigh has also become the social epicentre of the Gold Coast.
When the CT shifts to Burleigh in early May the festival atmosphere will ripple through the streets, cafes and bars.
Who knows, if the waves turn on it may just be one of the most memorable Australian events in years.
