DJ Fisher joins Slater, Gilmore, Fanning, Parkinson, Dingo Morrison and Hedges in star-studded show
DJ Fisher lights up Coolangatta Beach on Saturday - but first he lit up the surf. “Bonus to be out there with these guys, Fanning, Parko, they are my heroes.” Unlocked story. See the pictures
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The thrills of a the star-studded Gold Coast Pro keep coming with music sensation DJ Fisher joining another world champions heat after the round of 16 action on day five.
The World Surf League brought together surfing royalty for another late afternoon expression session. This time, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater, eight-time women’s champion Steph Gilmore, three-time world champion Mick Fanning, two-time women’s champion Chelsea Hedges and Joel Parkinson and Mark Occhilupo - with one each - were joined by DJ Fisher and Dean ‘Dingo’ Morrison.
A smiling Gilmore said halfway through: “Everyone is getting a bit serious out here. Kelly’s changing equipment, Occy’s doing some serious layback tubes, Joel’s probably had the best waves so far - so good times.
“Let’s do it every day. I could do it tomorrow morning if you guys are keen.”
Asked who was the most serious in the non-scoring expression session heat, Gilmore said Slater: “Kelly for sure. He just fell down and he’s like I’m losing it, I can’t get a good one, freaking out.”
GOLD COAST PRO SOCIAL SCENE - SEE THE PHOTOS
Occhilupo: “I’m feeling great. That layback...that was one for the old school.”
The entertaining session saw them all pull into fun waves and barrels but the unofficial scoring had Parkinson coming out on top after Gilmore dominated earlier in the week.
Commentators said the star-studded expression session repeat - dubbed ‘Fisher and friends free surf’ - was a no-brainer after the huge turnout to watch the first one: “We had to do a repeat performance because it was a such a good response to the first heat we had. Fans wanted to see a repeat performance and we delivered.
“Thak you to the World Surf League (and general manager) Andrew Stark for really wanting to make something special of this week.”
Afterwards, Parkinson said it was “awesome”: “It was like having a surf at home with less crowding. And Kelly was out there too.
“Surfing was a big part of our life, we love doing it and keep doing it. Great to be able to jump in and have fun with a few other world champions.”
DJ Fisher said: “My goal out there was to catch as many waves as I could. These guys were all ripping, I loved every minute of it.”
He also prefaced his sold-out concert scheduled for Saturday afternoon, with multiple Fisher sets from 2pm, saying: “I’m so excited for tomorrow night. I can’t wait. I’ve been looking forward to this, it’s taken four years to do this. I’m so excited, it’s my home town. Today this was just a bonus to be out there with all these guys, Fanning, Parko, they are my heroes.
“Dingo, Slater. For me I can’t wipe the smile off my face. It was such an epic experience. To be honest that thing Occy did out the back out in front of me was next level.”
Meanwhile, earlier in the day giant-killing Gold Coast surfing star Oscar Berry finally met his match in the official action at the Gold Coast Pro.
Berry, who had knocked out 11-time world champion Kelly Slater in the event’s round of 64 in a boilover early in the contest, lost in the round of 16 on Friday afternoon.
Berry came up against fellow Australian George Pittar on the Snapper Rocks superbank after two lay-days of the event due to small swell.
Berry started strong posting a 6.67 to take the lead after Pittar posted a 3.33 and not even registering a one for his second crack.
The commentators felt early Berry was looking good: “The board looks incredible under his feet, he’s putting that rail through its paces.”
Pittar posted a strong 8.90 to take the heat by the scruff of the neck and pour on the pressure, eeking every bit he could out of a long typical Snapper right.
In the end it was too much for Berry who posted 11.84 from a combined 6.67 and 5.17 ride. Pittar combined his 8.90 with a 6.23 for 15.13 to advance to the quarter finals on Saturday.
Both Pittar and Berry are coach by Gold Coaster Tim Macdonald, with Pittar saying after the heat it can “actually be really tricky” heading into a heat against his stablemate.
“(But) I’m so happy to get the ball rolling again, I’m feeling great,” Pittar said, having won through two earlier rounds with last-gasp final wave scores.
“I just needed to let it all go, and say I’m here surfing Snapper against one of my mates Oscar Berry.”
In other action, Australian crowd favourite Sally Fitzgibbons won her round of 16 to make the quarters as she tries to findher way back on the main tour. Fitzgibbons ousted Tessa Thyssen. Former world number one Lakey Peterson was knocked out in her round of 16 heat.
Former Championship Tour competitor Macy Callaghan put on the performance of her career, posting a Perfect 10-point ride in the round of 16. The Gold Coast transplant made her intentions clear against fellow Australian India Robinson. Callaghan eventually found her perfect down-the-line tube, pulling in late and coming out after the spit to end up with an 18.67 two-wave total (out of a possible 20). She faces fellow Aussie Isabella Nichols in the quarter finals.
“I’m pretty speechless,” Callaghan said. “That was probably the best heat of my life. Apparently, we weren’t getting behind the rock enough, so that was for all the boys out there. I want to give it one last crack and make it back on the CT next year. I’m just waiting to get some good waves. This is my first comp of the year, and I’m pretty happy with how it’s going so far.”
Local hopeful Kobie Enright (AUS) was unable to overcome an on-fire Bronte Macualay (AUS) in Heat 6 of the Round of 16.
Former Gold Coast Pro event winner Peterson (USA) went down to Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) in a tight finish.
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Josh Burke (BRB) 9.34 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 7.44
HEAT 2: Joao Chianca (BRA) 12.67 DEF. Tiago Carrique (FRA) 6.06
HEAT 3: Dakoda Walters (AUS) 13.74 DEF. Charly Quivront (FRA) 11.20
HEAT 4: Mikey McDonagh (AUS) 14.83 DEF. Hiroto Ohhara (JPN) 10.40
HEAT 5: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 18.70 DEF. Jacob Willcox (AUS) 11.30
HEAT 6: Ian Gouveia (BRA) 11.04 DEF. Alejo Muniz (BRA) 10.57
HEAT 7: George Pittar (AUS) 15.13 DEF. Oscar Berry (AUS) 11.84
HEAT 8: Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 16.74 DEF. Dylan Moffat (AUS) 11.00
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Men’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Josh Burke (BRB) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 2: Dakoda Walters (AUS) vs. Mikey McDonagh (AUS)
HEAT 3: Samuel Pupo (BRA) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
HEAT 4: George Pittar (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA))
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Women’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) 13.50 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 12.33
HEAT 2: Erin Brooks (CAN) 14.50 DEF. Yolanda Hopkins (POR) 9.00
HEAT 3: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 18.67 DEF. India Robinson (AUS) 13.50
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 12.50 DEF. Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) 11.16
HEAT 5: Luana Silva (BRA) 14.40 DEF. Vahine Fierro (FRA) 13.97
HEAT 6: Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 17.10 DEF. Kobie Enright (AUS) 9.50
HEAT 7: Alyssa Spencer (USA) 10.63 DEF. Sophia Medina (BRA) 7.56
HEAT 8: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 16.00 DEF. Tessa Thyssen (FRA) 8.33
Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Women’s Quarterfinal Matchups:
HEAT 1: Nadia Erostarbe (EUK) vs. Erin Brooks (CAN)
HEAT 2: Macy Callaghan (AUS) vs. Isabella Nichols (AUS)
HEAT 3: Luana Silva (BRA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)
HEAT 4: Alyssa Spencer (USA) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
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