Yesterday Avoca’s Wade Carmicahel surfed his way into the main event of the Quik Pro while Isabella Nichols claimed the last remaining spot in the Roxy Pro. After claiming victory at the 2015 Hawaiian Pro and competing in the Billabong Pipe Masters, Carmichael is riding a wave of momentum heading into another year on the QS grind.
“I can’t believe it,” Carmichael said. “I came here to surf snapper with only a few other people out because I love surfing here – just making a couple of heats was a bonus. It actually turned on during the heat as well, there were a heap of little runners coming through and I just got in a rhythm. After coming so close to qualifying last year, to be in the first CT event of the year is pretty special.”
Meanwhile Quiksilver has nominated Mikey Wright as the event wildcard. It’s no secret that the younger sibling of Owen and Tyler has been on a tear for the past couple of years. Decorated with ink and proudly rocking a wild mullet he’s the It surfer of the moment.
Whether Mikey produces the same face melting highlights from his latest clip in Hawaii or not we’re more than happy to see the rebellious Wright take it to the big dogs in the confines of a 30-minute heat.
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Heat Draw:
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Italo Ferreira, Keanu Asing, Ryan Callinan
Heat 2: Julian Wilson, Michel Bourez, Adam Melling
Heat 3: Filipe Toledo, Jadson Andre, Stuart Kennedy
Heat 4: Gabriel Medina, Caio Ibelli, Sebastian Zietz
Heat 5: Mick Fanning, Matt Banting, Wade Carmichael
Heat 6: Adriano de Souza, Kolohe Andino, Mikey Wright
Heat 7: Jeremy Flores, Adrian Buchan, Davey Cathels
Heat 8: Kelly Slater, Matt Wilkinson, Conner Coffin
Heat 9: Nat Young, Kai Otton, Alex Ribeiro
Heat 10: Josh Kerr, Taj Burrow, Kanoa Igarashi
Heat 11: Jordy Smith, Wiggolly Dantas, Miguel Pupo
Heat 12: Joel Parkinson, John John Florence, Jack Freestone
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Heat Draw:
Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Tyler Wright, Johanne Defay, Alessa Quizon
Heat 2: Bianca Buitendag, Nikki Van Dijk, Coco Ho
Heat 3: Carissa Moore, Chelsea Tuach, Isabella Nichols
Heat 4: Courtney Conlogue, Sage Erickson, Bronte Macaulay
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons, Malia Manuel, Laura Enever
Heat 6: Stephanie Gilmore, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Keely Andrew
