Gold Coast Pro To Relocate To Burleigh Heads
The WSL today announced that the upcoming Gold Coast Pro, originally planned for Snapper Rocks, will relocate to Burleigh Heads.
The decision follows significant impact from Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which struck in early March. A deep hole lies immediately offshore from Snapper and the beach is also devoid of sand. Meanwhile, an irregular extension of sand lies off Rainbow Bay.
No sand, good fishing. Swellnet's Snapper Rocks camera yesterday.
An extensive survey and engagement with the Tweed Bypass Project have confirmed that the bank is extremely unlikely to recover in time for the event which begins on May 3. The sand pumps have been operating since mid-March, however Letitia Spit was also eroded meaning there's minimal sand to replenish the Superbank.
As a result, while the sand may return in the coming months, it is extremely unlikely to recover in time for the upcoming CT event.
“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. “Our priority is to ensure world-class conditions for our athletes and fans, and given the state of the bank at Snapper Rocks and the lack of time to replenish the sand, we are confident this is the right decision to ensure the success of the 2025 Gold Coast CT. We are fortunate on the Gold Coast to have another world-class, right-hand point break just up the coast."
"We absolutely look forward to returning to Snapper Rocks in 2026.”
The relocation will not affect the CT schedule, and the WSL is committed to showcasing elite performance across the Gold Coast. While Burleigh will serve as the primary event site, Greenmount, Kirra, and Snapper Rocks will remain under active consideration as mobile options should conditions allow throughout the event window.
Though it hosted local and QS contests through the 90s and 00s, the last top tier contest at Burleigh Heads was the Bundaberg Rum Masters, which was the second event of the 1990 tour and won by Tom Curren.
Comments
Good news. Gonna be a while until the Superbank sorts itself out.
Yep. Tweed Shire have said a hard no to Dbah.
any idea's why d'bah is off limits??
Tweed Council said no. They feel the loss of amenity to other beach users isn't justified by the return to the local economy. Interesting, hey?
sure is - seems like there is a comp of some sort there every other week
You were correct in your assessment that Snapper would not recover in time SL67.
How's the bank at Burleigh going?
Doesn't look too bad Steve. A mate on a crane sent me a video from the last swell (post Alfred) and it was looking pretty fun
Dry run this weekend with the Australian Boardriders Battle.
Wow , this is hectic.
Didn't see this coming , maybe they could do tos as a backup ?
Mobile events of any kind are always a significant drain on costs and resources, but transporting infrastructure over to TOS is a significant undertaking in itself.
Was the event they held there in 2020 any good? I recall it being a little average (sure, some good waves, but not great as a contest venue).
Here we go! Great reporting from Gra:
https://www.swellnet.com/news/ding-alley/2020/10/06/the-boost-mobile-pro...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/ding-alley/2020/10/08/the-boost-mobile-pro...
Ol gra keeping freeride76s seat warm .
it was fun to fill in for the king for a bit!
Ta Ben. Hope ya well cobber!
Strad is cooked post Alfred and if I were a betting man, I would also think that it will be cooked come May unless the Spit manages to get excess sand that could be shifted over but the chances of that are highly unlikely.
Any guesses on how long it will take to get the super bank back ?
Leave it as is ?
Wow .
The last south swell barely made a dent on the wide slug, so looking like a very long recovery.
Hopefully the natural winter flow shifts it quicker once they get some sand to fill the snapper hole.
Carn Lobby!!!!
Cant complain about that, hopefully they get some swell.
Jesus I hope it pumps!!! Just for surfing a as whole surfers viewers etc !!!
I just hope the WSL can get Stubbies back on board as the sponsor.
ha
First Up! Locals again salute swellnet for our precious ***** Goldie Coverage
Ya know we love you and welcome ya all to your WSR/s.
19th Feb 2025 : Stu's Snappy Snapper Snaps
https://www.swellnet.com/news/reels/2025/02/19/watch-snapper-few-hours-ago
+ Many Cyclone Sessions...
+ Goldie News Events...( Totally Epic...take a bow #1swellnet )
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2025/03/10/world-surfing...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-analysis/2025/03/17/around-the-gr...
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2025/04/07/the-squirter-...
Blacked out ravaging tbb joined in the Party late & posted local perspective on the 29th March 2025
This should in part explain why the Pro event and the WSL Fishy Gig are 2 sides of the same coin.
Both bundle in swellnet's Hard Fizz Rainbow Feature
Cyclone Alfred WSL Rainbow Disco Telethon
GC Easter Beach Recovery cost is bankrolled by WSL Gold Coast Pro $50m Ticket / Accom / Grog Sales
https://www.out2lunchfestival.com/
3rd/4th May 2025 Surfers Paradise 40,000 Labour Day w/e Beach Disco/WSL Comp Snapper 14,000
(Update) Switch 14,000 Snapper > To lock in 14,000 at The Point (Likely aiming for more!)
This is Based on 2024 WSL Cooly Disco
2024 : (30,000 Cooly Beach Disco injected $50m into a Closed Rorted VIP Economy) No pass outs!
Timetabled for High Tide to crush Kooks & Crabs into Sand Dune Grog Tents.
Gig Left Muddy Skid Marks in Park & Open Grog Cans scattered in Dunes to poison the beach critters.
Operators never clear the mess...Community mops up the contraband toxic waste poisoning GC WSR.
https://themusic.com.au/news/fisher-s-record-breaking-gold-coast-festiva...
Federal Govt promised $50m for Cyclone Alfred Clean Up...
40,000 Cyclone Alfred Beach Disco Telethon
57% WSL Beach Disco Tickets / Accom + 43% Beach Disco Grog Excise = $50m on '30,000' crowd
[Factcheck] Ticket sales + [No pass outs]
WSL inhouse [L] Elected Hard Fizz Share Holders / Martini Mussolini XXXX Sugar Hit+
Add on Tate's Private Beach Bar Leasing Tab...
Lets see...that should iron out the $10m Rainbow Bill + ya can double that for starters...
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/australia/cyclone-alfred-four-million...
Gold Coast Pro > Switch from Fishy's Cooly Gig to The Point / Surfers' Hard Fizz Disco
This now rubs'n'hubs WSL 40,000 Rainbow Dredge Disco on Surfers Paradise.
Should boost the Fishy Disco Tickets to pump prime the $10m Topless Sand Modelling Parade.
Mayor : "Where's my pot of WSL Gold at the end of the Rainbow!"
err...Ya drowning in it...mate! STFU!
+
8th April : Local Crew have invited swellnet comp fans to the curtain raiser...
To check out Burley Banks live webcast this w/e here's yer windows...
Yes! The local crew are onto this...as ya can see...we got ya half to shore...
truebluebasherTUESDAY, 8 APR 2025 at 6:53PM
Focus on recent swellnet Burley Point Comps...local tbb is happy to share...
These Comps companion this here swellnet feature....again us Burley Locals salute swellnet!
#1swellnet Burley Single Fin Festival
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2025/01/14/photos-2025-s...
12/13th April 2025 Burley Point Goldie $116,000 Australian Boardrider's Battle
Not your Average Surfing Event!
Heat Draw
https://australianboardridersbattle.com/
tbb has a 1998 photo of That big board above Nev's Factory Store
2005 Recall Nev's Record Big Board
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7103430
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-03-06/giant-board-rules-the-gold-coast-...
Local Burley Hodad's massive FREE bonus treat for swellnet Sprout's lively spouting threaderz!
Nev's biggest 'surfable' board
Demo on Tuesday Night 8th April Ten News (Sign in?)
https://10play.com.au/news/national
Ok! tbb will surf safari via the Local's Only Shaper's Shed backdoor threads...
(tbb adds) Nev was asked by Jim Beam (All about the Grog)
https://www.tiktok.com/@nevhyman/video/7470400108178328839
https://www.tiktok.com/@nevhyman/video/7474756988296023301
https://www.facebook.com/10NewsQLD/videos/1781073729140495/
Hitch a Ride on The All Together Board at Burley Boardrider's Battle this wet w/e
https://www.theurbanlist.com/a-list/aussie-surfer-nev-hyman
Can Swellnet please get a ghost writer for TBB! Has so much interesting info to offer, yet I struggle to decipher it with the delivery style.
So much information
I'd suggest AI,
but TBB might melt it
All hail TBB !
Still have a tab waiting for him at treetops
Note...WSL Gig 2024 Cooly Beach > 2025 Surfers Paradise Beach > Now moved again to Broadwater Parklands...
Perhaps the Rainbow wasn't gonna put out enough beach to bankroll 40,000 beach disco crowd.
[Factcheck] Broadwater holds 140,000 over 3 days > WSL Disco could pull 100,000 over 2 days...Got it!
Cheapest WSL Gig tickets = $215 or $470 / 2 days we're talking Biggest Ever WSL Dicky Beach Disco Mega Tariff!
Getting further & further from Surfing the WSL Superbank / Snapper-Cooly Combo/Comp gig site.
It was a natural progression to tag their WSL Comp Site Transit Logistics closer to their WSL Mega Gig.
WSL CT Comp is now some excess baggage distraction to the WSL Beach Disco Tour.
Raving Mad Ibiza Yuppies roll out their 2 week leased Private Coastline Jetski Ensemble...Off my Raving mad Ibiza Coastline little people.
Little Fishy & Friends wanna surf...so how about you all F... Off for 2 weeks!
Now that WSL Disco is bossing the Comp we might yet see Starkie's South Bank Beach Pro...Why the Fuck Not! Burp!
Compliments of swellnet crew's Comp Site...enjoy yer Burley Barrels.
https://www.swellnet.com/forums/wax/595166?page=1
God I dislike how much uncertainty there is in the world.
The 'CT at Burleigh?
Lol @parking. E-bikes or bust I guess.
Hmm, getting winds to stay on the southerly side of things rather than south-easterly round this time of year is hard for burleigh. Wont be suprised if its completely blown out the whole comp.
Wow... Do love the board riders comp as a format for surfing comp . . Also I've really enjoyed watching it when it's at Burleigh... Hope it's great for the weekends board riders comp and hopefully some actual good waves for the Goldie pro.
100% MK - they should leave all the BB comp setup as is until the wozel hits town and adopt the exact format - boardriders concept shits all over the world format. Would kill to see the top pros legging it up the hill, knackered at the top …. Not to mention the panicked, sketchy as, rock jump - can’t tell me the viewership wouldn’t bounce on that - beat the current shitty snoozefest - I’d be all in!
Italo at full pelt!
Wowzie!!! I imagined that !
L O L
Off topic but does Snapper etc out of action put heaps of pressure elsewhere population wise? Or do the Snapper purists just wait?
You can still surf near there , from little marley rocks, though to Greenmount, in sections , but it’s not as good .
Although Snapper does break on a bigger swell, but closes out at Little Marley .
@ nick bone
Snapper was the ugly duckling of the bunch pre sand pumping.
Remember though all waves were burried for
Snapper to pump and become one super bank.
They changed the whole dynamic of the break and created the super crowd also .
Destroying
Multiple take off point and different waves.
I figured they would run out of sand one day......
Move the El Salvador comp to Burleigh too while they're at it.
Some charts are showing a hefty ese to se swell in a week or so. That should give the south to north sand movement something to think about.
i've always wondered what "Behind the rock" Alley at 5 feet would be like as a comp wave. Not the best venue for paying customers. Burleigh and snapper own that dept. But 4 to 6 foot alley is a tasty treat.
I think the argument against backup venues has been that it's too costly but here we are. Now they open the door for criticism when they don't do it elsewhere
why don't they run the comp at the squirter boat bank? ;)
This just made my whole day.
Borderline Madness
2007 Last Cooly kid Snapper Quiky Win...Mick
2012 Last Aussie Natural Surfer to win at Snapper...Taj
2014/15 Last Natural foot surfers to win at Snapper were Gabs & Toledo
2016/17 Last 2 CT Finals held at Snapper were won by Goofs Wilko / Owen
Surf fans herald these Finals
2009 Kirra > Joel's Cyclonic Sick Pits
2013 Kirra > Powder Keg Thriller
2018 Kirra > Get outta JW's lane.
2019 Dbah > Sky High Kick Flip Fest
Why not move the Margs Pro to the home of Surfing WA at Trigg point while they are at it !
Wondering what the Burleigh 'enforcers' (if there are any left in our overly-sanitized surf world?) think of this? Seem to recall some Soldie locals planning a mass disruptive paddle-out at Snapper at one point - guessing that never happened? Pro surfing could benefit from some controversy - it'd make front page of the Bulletin as the jet ski bouncers roared into action - herding the interlopers shorewards quick-smart.
Background
26th April 2024 Qld ALP Govt signed a 4 year CT Deal 2025/26/27 to - through 2028
https://surfingqueensland.com.au/snapper-rocks-returns-to-the-2025-wsl-c...
Locals thank #1swellnet for Goldie / Burley Coverage
Goldie Hodad crew Burley Local wishes to return the favour...
Our Local comp has come on fast & is now next & nearly upon us.
So naturally we Burley Goldie crew are ready to Welcome the World
Or are we...
tbb attended, reviewed & reported on recent Burley Bog standard Battle.
Comp was well welcomed & attended but WSR goodwill turned to shit by a locked out Muddy Mess!
https://www.swellnet.com/news/form-guide/2025/04/10/forecast-australian-...
https://www.hottomato.com.au/gold-coast/burleigh-heads-foreshore-ripped-...
3-15 May 2025 WSL CT Gold Coast Pro switch to Burleigh Heads
First up is a good example of wasted media resource followed by exhaustive patch up but no promo!
https://beachgrit.com/2025/04/snapper-rocks-loses-surfing-grand-slam-to-...
https://gcmag.com.au/events/bonsoy-gold-coast-pro-burleigh-heads/
*GC Sand Banks (Salute swellnet's Cyclonic coverage!)
10 April 2025 GC Mag Memo : Did likewise update investigate Starkie's Snapper Sand Pumping.
"Extensive erosion along Tweed Coast has disrupted the usual Replenishment Cycle!"
https://gcmag.com.au/burleigh-heads-to-host-championship-tour/
Crew can read it's a fair enough wrap but leads us up shit creek without a paddle of what comes next!
Fortunately tbb / swellnet can assist with Charts to add context to all recent Sand Shortage reports.
Sharing these to read within above context...should provide the crew with a solid background!
This intro aims to bring crew up 2 date with solid data on GC Sand Banks
#1 swellnet exclusive Tweed River Dredge Chart + Complimentary TSB Pump Table
Tweed River Dredging
Dredge...........Albatross..Albatross..Albatross..Viking R..Modi R + Trud R........Trud R
Year......................2019.......2020..........2021.......2022.........2023 +........2023........2024(proposed) 2024
Bilinga / Tugun 30,000....33,000.....14,729......................40,898 + 39,830......26,227 .................50,000
Snapper Rocks 54,000....22,199......59,061...33,174....59,722 +....8,958......10,449 .......................000
Duranbah......... 36,000....30,229......52,181...30,599.....68,060.........................40,009 ................40,000
Fingal................ 30,000....24,750........7,345......8,626.....31,084.........................35,638 ................50,000
Dreamtime .................................................................................................10,975............................................000
Cubic Metres..151,360..110,178...133,316....72,399...199,764...59,763...112,323...............140,000
Chart verifies a Major redirection of Sand from Snapper 2023/24 to address Palm Beach / Fingal erosion
https://www.tweedsandbypass.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/2025/march...
Table verifies that since April 2024 CT Snapper return announcement > NO large Snapper Deposits!
Just clarifying > Yes! Snapper Sand Pump/Dumps have slowed to address urgent neighbouring Erosion.
So if crew wanna believe the Snapper has returned to a more Natural Holed Bathymetry then Yes!
GC are prioritizing Sand > From Narrowneck Reef > Narrowneck > Surfers' > finishing at Burleigh.
Southern Points / Beaches will slowly increase secondary TSP Pumping & Dredging for 2026 CT Comp.
All reports say this Shift has happened before > as reported in tbb's 10th April Borderline Comp Table.
Further upon this WSR Comp Sand update is some heresay...
Burleigh was to expect a Rainbow delivery of Sand around Comp Time or following Comp.
Constant but natural Large Easter Swells have Dry Docked the Rainbow for week/s > Delaying Recovery!
Meaning that Trud R will now run thru the Whale Migration > Possible Delayed Burley >Tweed Dates.
So expect protests as Whales Migrate closer each year as noisy 2025 inshore run silts up...
Note 2025 Whale Migration will have their fav' Squelchy Doped Out Beauty Parlour in tatters...
South Migration Pac' Air Raid fleet trap Whales inshore to be bombarded for $400 pat a trapped whale!
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................
* Promotional Change / Updates
Tues 22nd April Road & Parking closures at The Point for Comp set Up with just 12 days until Comp
This being the 3rd of 4th 10-20 days lockdowns in First half of 2025
Tally Cyclone / Hazardous Surf / VIP Comps = WSR has been locked down over 50% by mid year!
Goat's VIP Gromz Beach Club Takeover from Jabreen's finger tips to 1st Ave...Off our Pub Crawl Pops!
https://www.solentosurffestival.com/gold-coast/burleigh-heads-takeover
WSL simply promote Gold Coast but with all Stories / Pics / Vidz of Snapper.
Says more info on WSL...but as of yet ...sadly No...Nothing!
So it could be argued Business as Usual > (Which will no doubt confuse o/s & Oz Visitors!)
Ya could argue WSL Qld / Pacific Starkie knows better & should > Direct Crews to Burleigh Heads!
That is his Job?
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2025/ct/325/bonsoy-gold-coast-pro...
New [L] Qld Events are still directing Visitors to Snapper (Awkward!)
https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/events/p-6212f6307c9727237...
Gold Coast [L] Beach Party Mayor is still directing Surf Fans to Snapper (Typical)
https://www.whatsongoldcoast.au/All-events/Gold-Coast-Pro-Presented-by-G...
Gold Coast Pro Advertising still brands all that Snapper Merch
What to do with a sea of Snapper's Kookie Collectables
https://surfboardempire.com.au/collections/the-2025-gold-coast-pro-colle...
Ok! So why are WSL & Beer Buddies [L] Govt so slow to promote a Massive Burleigh Heads Piss Up!
* Local observation : Possible Qld Events Contract Clause locks in "Southern GC Branding / Accom."
* These type of Bne (vs) GC / Surfers/Broadie (vs) Southern GC battles resemble (Syd vs Mbne)
* See above report of Burley (vs) Snapper...
* So yeah...All that shit is a real thang & could explain Burley's Cold Shoulder!
Yeah but wot about...
* [Made in China Day] > Pissed Burly Mob of Gromz > trap, Corner & bash Ambos / Grans / Cops...
Well we all gotta singlehandedly fight off a wild mob of armed Burly Gromz don't we...tell us about it!
Fair Enough...it's also a Burley Hodad's Job to back his Local WSR...
Ok! Here's Wot we got to share & it may surprise a few...
First up is a pretty cool Wrap of Burley > Courtesy of Red Bull Pros (Did not expect that!)
Comes 2 days after this switch Feature >
Italo says it's crazy as he'd already booked for the Gold Coast...Just humour him!
https://www.instagram.com/redbullsurfing/reel/DITiDwoNbJa/?locale=(URL%3AKTT.bet)%F0%9F%93%A3Cops%2Band%2BRobbers%2BBig%2BMoney%2BOnline%2BEntertainment%2BAPP.fpwe&hl=cs
15th April Burley Beach Tourist Park is onto it > Book now! (Good Job!)
Easter Sunday Locals Only [ No Drone ] Fly Over...Oopsie > Airport Flight Zone.
WSL have Oz first Airport Drone Fly Over Exemption over this whole Area
[0:18] Lookout [P] Closed from Tuesday > GC Council soon resume it for VIP Leasing!
See Snapper Comp site Far Left Distance!
See also washed Up Logs > Normal after Cyclone / ECL.
[0:28] Point break Ride is fastest best draining section (Clever surfer will score a thru run keeper)
[0:32] See Plane turning above Drone = No Fly Zone + No Hi-rise above Headland!
[1:06] Cove Track Queue > Paddle Out
[1:15] Fish Traps on N Facing South Bank of Big Swamp Creek Outlet here (Lagoons Reclaimed!
The Natural SEQ Spit once separated here first but as one to K'gari > then break thrus + sunk Islands
[1:25] See lower NP [Closed] sand patches from last w/e Burley Battle Damage
See June Solento Point < Gromathon Gig >Mondrian Dystopian Haven Beach Club
https://mondrianhotels.com/gold-coast/dining#haven
Comp sponsor Pavilion VIP Bar views > 'Boulder blocked' our Fish Traps < > Chix SP Postcard Track
Locals don't like the Heavy bouncer/noisy Grog shit on WSR Oceanway + Ciggie Butts / Glass / Tip Site
This is an old Seawater Baths > Grants the dude Ocean rights to suck up & spit out his VIP WSR
Kook has pre GC Council VIP Pass to block access for Storm-water outfall into WSR Line Up.
WSL exploit his rights to run Beach Bars along the WSR rock Break = Gromz WSR Grog...Fuck Yeah!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1330365862023336&set=a.574225710970...
Surfing Qld takes a closer look at The Point Easter Sunday
[9] Weather had a nice long ride from that Tall Guy...
Not super rad but don't need to be when ya have The Point wired on a string.
So yeah! That seems to be the way to ride the Point in current Line Up!
Good local clip for tbb to share...can't ask for better...good job guys!
That's a big finish...
Still No Framed WSL Promo / Dates / Burleigh Point ...guessing after Bells...Perhaps!
Top Shelf Local Stoke from the Cove thru The Point
WOZTRALIANA
2nd May 2025 Friday 3pm FREE SHOW.
Sheesh. Some long term charts are showing a great swell producing set up for the Goldy
<script async src="//s.imgur.com/min/embed.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ok, wtf has imgur done? Why isnt the image loading
There won't be a problem with swell SD- the issue will be wave quality due to b-grade sandbars.
I don't think we will get Gold Coast wave quality.
still doesnt explain why the [img] and [/img] things aint working for me.
From what ive been told, Burleigh hasnt been good for years, ever since the sand pumping at the gatta. The whole flow has been fucked around
That 18 seconds footage cannot be Burleigh anytime recent. She’s not a great bank at the moment (as mentioned better than snaps)
Any news on Wildcards for Goldy??
Ok does this work??
Yep. Can see it perfectly.
I'd be interested in any local/regular reports of the sand at Burleigh too.
Haven't surfed it for years but everytime I've stopped to check it in the last decade the sand has always looked really weird and not at all like the Burleigh I remember.
Is that the new normal now, or does the sand configure properly around the Headland still?
It is indeed the new normal Steve. Burleigh's bank is a straight line heading north from Sharkies towards Nth Burleigh now, since the Tweed Bypass. Aerials will show it. It's been years since the classic wrap around the point days sadly. BTW, where's @Burleigh? Has he been sin binned?
Burleigh was all time great in the 70's, glad I was there!