Surfing legends take a ride on the wild side

A group of surfers who braved the elements and entered the Gold Coast’s manic swell on Friday shared waves with surfing royalty.

A small group of surfers who braved the elements and entered the Gold Coast’s manic swell on Friday shared waves with surfing royalty.

World champion surfers Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson were spotted shooting the curl at Kirra, taking advantage of the huge swell that smashed the South East’s coast.

Joel Parkinson surfs in the wild seas at Kirra Beach on Friday. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Only a dozen surfers could be seen among the mammoth waves breaking from the Spit to the NSW coast, as a severe weather system lashed the region, creating 130km/h wind gusts in some areas.

But those who grabbed a board and wetsuit found themselves surfing with the greatest, with some even hitching a ride on Fanning and Parkinson’s jet skis.

Mick Fanning braves the waves at Kirra beach. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Waves peaked at 8m off the Gold Coast on Friday, while offshore buoys recorded up to 11m waves near Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

Dangerous surf warnings will remain in place for the South East at the weekend.