Major international TV deals mean Quiksilver Pro, Roxy Pro and Gold Coast beaches to be seen by millions

THE Quiksilver and Roxy pros will be seen by more people around the world this year thanks to a series of major international television deals.

THE Quiksilver and Roxy pros will be seen by more people around the world this year thanks to a series of major international television deals.

The Coolangatta event, which pumps $7 million-plus into local coffers annually, will feature on Fox Sports for the first time in the competition’s history.

World Surfing League spokesman Will Hayden-Smith said the unprecedented exposure proved surfing had moved into the mainstream.

“The Quiksilver Pro will be broadcast (on pay television) all across Brazil and heaps of stations in America and it will be streamed live on our website,” he said.

RELATED: SURFING THE SUPERBANK

RELATED: SURFERS DON FINEST FOR NIGHT OF NIGHTS

“Surfing has ­become very popular in Brazil, especially with Gabriel Medina winning the title last year.

Plenty of people in Brazil will be watching the Quiksilver Pro to see if Gabriel Medina can defend his crown and kickstart his title defence. Picture: Luke Marsden.

“It means the Gold Coast will be beamed live to every one of those fans in Brazil for the duration of the event.”

Surfing great Layne Beachley will head back to the Gold Coast for her first competition since taking out the Roxy Pro in 2003.

Beachley has signed up for a surf off with former rival and American legend Lisa Andersen in the inaugural women’s Heritage Heat.

Yesterday Beachley said she was looking forward to getting back in the water at Snapper, which was one of her favourite waves.

“Having it to myself for a few minutes is a dream come true,” said the seven times world titleholder.

Beachley said the event had grown in stature since she won the Roxy crown, as women’s surfing became more professional. But the pressure associated with the first event on the world tour was still the same for the pros, according to Beachley.

“There are always nerves with this one because it is the first one of the year,” she said.

“It is a benchmark for everyone to see how well their off season preparations have gone.

“This event tends to set the tone for the year, with many examples of people winning at Snapper and going on to win the entire competition.”

Gabriel Medina won at Snapper Rocks last year and went on to win the world title as did Steph Gilmore.

Snapper Rocks Boardriders club president Jay Phillips said organisers were praying for a strong southerly swell to hit the Gold Coast on ­Monday.

“We are praying on Mother Nature to bring us some good waves because the stage is set for a fantastic competition,” he said.

Mr Phillips said high-profile competitors and consistent storm swell had drawn massive crowds to the break in the past two weeks.

“Kelly Slater has been really zoning in on surfing Snapper in the last few days,” he said.

“It shows the break can deal with 500 guys out there and you always get a few more surfers who go for a paddle just to see Fanning, Joel and Slater.”