Quiksilver Pro sand and swell update
Last week was the twentieth anniversary of Beau Emerton's only CT win.
It was the Gold Coast Billabong Pro and was held at Cabarita for all but one day. The year after, the Billabong Pro was won by Sunny Garcia and it was held at, in order, Burleigh, Snapper, Burleigh, Snapper, Duranbah. Way back in 1996, the event was won by Kaipo Jacquias and was held at four locations: Duranbah, Burleigh, Kirra, and Stradbroke Island.
The above illustrates how mobile the old Gold Coast Billabong Pro used to be. They'd find the best waves between Ballina and Straddie and set up the tents for the day.
When Quiksilver took over the franchise in 2002 they adopted the same mantra and surfed two rounds at Burleigh. However, it was last time Burleigh was used. Never again were Cabarita and Straddie used either. As time went on and contest infrastructure got more extensive and unwieldly, the organisers planted themselves at Snapper and rarely roamed - Kirra being the exception. Mobility was no longer a selling point, just a means to get the contest finished. In fact, the last time the contest even went over the hill to Duranbah was ten years ago.
Duranbah, February 2009, the last time the Quiksilver Pro was held there
The reason for the little history lesson is because, as Rabbit Bartholomew said on Swellnet last week, there's currently a great whacking hole at Snapper Rocks. The contest starts in two days and the hole is still there. There'll be small south swell and south winds till then, both of which assist the movement of sand, yet it's hard to see how the required quantity can make its way around the point from the Snapper East outfall and fashion a contestable bank.
In short, it ain't looking good.
When Swellnet spoke to a local photographer this morning he said as much. "It's not going to happen. Or if it does it'll be terrible."
Which is a shame because, as was first stated last week, the front end of the waiting period looks very good for Snapper - if the sand were there - with a sustained E/SE swell running from this Wednesday through to at least the beginning of next week. Size will hover around 3 feet with the odd 4 foot pulse of swell, the winds, at least for the first five days of the waiting period, will be light south in the mornings edging southeast through the day.
So if it's not going to happen at Snapper, then where?
At this point a serious journalist would contact the World Surf League and ask them about mobility options, but speculation is more fun than waiting for a reply that'll never come anyway.
So, without enough size for Kirra it's most likely that the organisers will have to choose between a makeshift site at D'bah or one further down the bank toward Greenmount. Each has good sand but the equation comes down to swell size vs wind. D'bah = more size and more wind. Rainbow/Greenmount = less size but better wind.
Check footage of John John, Jordy and co at Duranbah this morning.
The other option is the one Rabbit mentioned last week: the organisers could sit out this first swell entirely and hope that the bank builds up enough for the second half of the waiting period, with the hope that another swell eventuates.
Whatever happens, it's a baptism of fire for the brand new Tour Commish*, Pat O'Connell.
*Yes I know his title isn't Commissioner but I'll be buggered if I'm typing out 'Senior Vice President, Tours and Head of Competition' every time I refer to him.
Comments
They won't move it. It will be held at snapper and will become another brazzo pickle spinning festival. Toledo will win it.
I heard they’re going to move it to Manly after the raging success of the QS there last week. That comp proved once and for all that surfable waves are not necessary for a great event. In fact they are often a distraction from important media events involving politicians.
"brazzo pickle spinning festival" I like that it sort of makes sense when you see it. I wonder is there a way if you stripped the whole thing back to the bare essentials ie. the tech and power supply to telecast it along with some talking heads, would it still be possible to take it to somewhere like Straddie. Then again the locals probably wouldn't be too happy to see it turn up. I wonder how big is the 'bare essentials'? All good questions which need to be elucidated.
Wasn't relocating to Dbah a previous issue given it's located in NSW and I seem to recall the QLD government having some financial interest in the event ??
I've heard it rumoured that it's a problem but never could get it confirmed. Common sense would tell me that, if it is true, it's less to do with loss of earnings, because no-one is changing accomodation or the like, but something to do with local council insurance.
It's because both Gold Coast City Council and Events Queensland have given funding to the event. I expect in both cases their contract for the funding required it to be held on the GC only.
wow. insanity. no contestable conditions, all for a few hundred meters and some red tape.
Agree red tape is frustrating but its probably not the case in this instance. If I was Events Qld I wouldn't be happy if I gave funding to an event and they ended up having it in NSW.
Also I think that this event (surprisingly) is so financially frail that without the GCCC and EQ funding it might fold, so unfortunately they most bow to sponsor demands regardless of surf quality.
"If I was Events Qld I wouldn't be happy if I gave funding to an event and they ended up having it in NSW."
Why? What do Events QLD lose from it? The media still sees it as a Gold Coast event, the competitors and entourage are still accomodated in QLD, and they'll still go to the same bars and clubs.
Haha really? "Welcome to beautiful Duranbah Beach, New South Wales, sponsored by Events Queensland". Sound right to you?
No. But it only sounds off because no-one ever says that.
Latest update from WSL is dbah is a possibility
Be bold.... Go to Burleigh. Give that mung bean gold coast mayor a call. Point out that all the cash will be spent on the qld side of the border.
Yeah, good call.
‘SVPTHC’ is fewer letters than ‘commissioner’ stu. just saying
then again, i suppose ‘batman, it’s the svpthc’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it
Dbah pretty much confirmed and Rabbit talks Snapper sand
WSL insta
Sadly this event looks like an air show especially when arvo winds will be more onshore
Therefore assume the brazzos will fight it out
But why can’t wsl judges take the view we will not give a one air manoeuvre over say 6 !
Bring back power surfing
+ 1 on the power surfing, massive carves and hacks over airs any day
Yes! JJF at Margs. Jordy at Jbay.
Bring back Rob Brough.
"At this point a serious journalist would contact the World Surf League and ask them about mobility options, but speculation is more fun than waiting for a reply that'll never come anyway."
Haha! Funny stuff.
svpthc's got a pretty big call to make (I am pronouncing that 'svupthicc')
I wonder if Pat O'Connell requested a Senior Vice President title as part of his WSL deal. He's coming from being Vice President of Sports Marketing at Hurley. He might have thought going from Vice President to Commissioner would have looked a bit like a demotion on his CV.
Yesterday the Australian Bodyboard Association announced they were running the first comp of their tour, the Queensland Pro, at D'bah this coming weekend. The ABA can run it anywhere on the Goldy but put the call out to competitors and spectators that D'bah it is.
Apparently every car space at D'bah and surrounds was taken by six this morning.
A carton of Coopers would see the lids paid off.
If they had any sense they'd be asking for a bit more than that.
Still think the carton would be tempting :)
The wozzle is also selling $1300 event passes with "Prime viewing, screens, and shade at the WSL VIP lounge every day the competition is ON". Think that will keep them at Snapper?
Good point. Wonder if the VIPs will mind being shoved under a tent at D'bah the same as any suburban boardriders club while paying hand over fist for the experience.
Also, rain is expected the first four days of the waiting period.
Stick 'em in a poncho & call it glamping, they'll love it
Ha ha!
I'm pumpd they are going to D-bah.
ballsy move, if true.
Chunky, OK DBah is far, far better than deep, weak Snapper.
If dbah was on Tour it would be the best beachbeak venue on the schedule.
great move wheeling Rabbit out for the reveal too.
If that is Pat O'Connells work I'm very impressed.
Lots of sponsor infrastruture set up at Snapper, all presumably paying top dollar, not to mention the "VIP's" paying the big bucks to now sit in a tent getting cooked or dodging leaks at dBah.
Shows where the priorities lie.
If true.
Big statement I am sure the Frenchies would have something to say about best beachie as would the Supertubos Portuguese.
France, maybe; except the huge tidal swings make it unsurfable for large periods of the day.
Supertubos has it's day but most of the time its a rippy closeout.
D-bah, day in day out is consistent and rippable.
Been watching those over the last couple of years and I see lots of closeouts Memla.
True but they seem bigger, heavier, longer and hollower than anything from Dbah. Dbah looks awesome fun but at this level I want them to work for their wage. Some of those French dredgers are ridiculously hollow, heavy and looong and the chaps need to paddle their wetties off to catch them. Dbah looks short and sharp and really peaky. The Brazilians will love it that's for sure.
Yeah totally, for those times when France came on, whoa, it was sensational!
If Greenmount is being scaffolded, it looks like they are hedging bets (wonder what the iguanas that live on the rocks think about it - our kids used to chase them in the pool at the resort when they were little)
Brazil was by far the best beach break on tour last year.
How much better would the whole tour be without the massive infrastructure. Can't believe how big it's gotten at Snapper. Imagine how much cheaper and more mobile (read: better waves) the whole shebang would be if they simplified it.
Totally agree. Last time I went to Bells there is a wall of stands which really pissed me off and haven't been back since. Get it back to grass roots make em all buy a pie with a bit of dead horse and stand on the cliff.
That's a great move from the bodyboarders, they obviously know they'll get bumped but will get a little kicker into their coffers for the trouble. Haha...well played.
There is a scaffold tower being erected right now on greenmount beach.
That's great, more favourable wind direction. I think everyone who is hyping dbar is forgetting about the wind factor.
How many people are watching the erection?
Gaz, if there was ever someone that could fill a giant hole in cooly I reckon it'd be you.
Thanks Doggy,
Gary would love to pitch a tent down that way but he understands that Dirk Ziff, the owner of said erection, likes his to be the only one visible on the beach at this time of year.
Even in a sou-easter DBah is surfable.
d-bah, d-bah, d-bah- specially on the higher tides. ffs greenie will be looking lovely but too small for this lot- it's not a surf school-
Govt pay $1-2m for WSL to ply the town with Skegz only that rarely happens.
WSL build beach hi-rises & cliff top Condos & come day 2 it's always a surf safari.
Examine the last 12 months of WSL Oz Comps...
Snapper Super Stadium mothballed while punters huddled Cyclone ravaged Kirra.
Bell's flowed terraced corona fountains bang on cue off to Winkipop...Drink Up boys!
Surfers Point Condos broke 1,000 backs now a surf safari 20kms to North Point. No!
Sophie says: "Simon! Bali looks nice this time of year!"
2019 Noosa Longboard /1st Point or maybe that Groyne or Castaways 7 kms where? Sorry Son! "Free Surf Shuttle goes everywhere but there!"...No route [747] Sundays!
Spot X has no ramps,taps nor Coke Stand...'I heard WSL say it hasn't even got a loo.'
WSL! Completely forgot about Govt handshake with the town, plugging nomansland.
The Eddie called off again! 100,000 don't care for surf, it's just a schoolies pilgrimage.
Naturally Hawaii must do as surfers say but look at the shit they're in when surfs up!
WSL venues brace against timely Cyclonic seas needing Govt SAS to hold on tight.
Surfers again look like Eco vandals as with wavepools. Out of my way little people.
I want what I want, right here & there...Pro Surfers shame whiteshoebrigade.
Mt Warning Wave Pool cableway. [News] "WSL sort Bundjalung No climb Law"
Maybe! The Locals are finally kicking WSL outta town..that we could believe!
Sure ...D'Bah / Blue Moon...It's just a Hollywood set after all...Long past being real!
The biggest argument against D'Bah is chiseled in Stone. {QLD v NSW}
Qld Premier hands over $3m between Roxy/Quicky to be spent in QLD not NSW.
Given that the two Chick Premiers hate each other's guts... (Never ever talk!) Never!
Sophie's Ultra Posh D'bah Tea Party may need some extra sugar cubes .
https://teq.queensland.com/news-and-media/latest-news/gold-coast-secures...
That's Qld's money, so who's plan is it to move $3m across to NSW-D'bah? WAR!
Well the event is live at Dbah right now....
What? "I said State of Origin starts a bit earlier this year dear!"
Qld Tourism Events funding (Above) $3m/yr for (Roxy /Quicky)
Gold Coast City Council also throw megabucks at both events + 24 / 7 assist.
Neither are fond of silver spoon feeding Tweed / NSW the top shelf Gold-tin Formula.
Darkside golden rule is simple! 'Jughead' only hollers 'Gold Coast' never Tweed NSW.
Govt/ GCCC are fine if 'Jughead' wails D'bah as surfers brand D'bah as a Qld break.
credit: Tracks 5/March/2015 (Applies to current GC council x'border jitters !)
https://www.tracksmag.com.au/news/dbah---surfings-gaza-strip--425735
D’Bah has neen claimed as QLD ever since I’ve been swallowing the semen of the Aussie surf media.
memlasurf - are you still working for the WSL?
Blowin, I defer to the authority on all things surfing.
Swellnet. And on the Swellnet surfcams, Duranbah is listed under Queensland*. That'll do me.
*that may refer to the fact that the camera is in Queensland, but let's not quibble.