Ranked: Gold/Tweed Coast’s 10 best male surfers

Surf Scene columnist Andy McKinnon has revealed his 10 best male surfers in the region.

SURF Scene columnist Andy McKinnon has revealed his 10 best male surfers in the region.

1. Jack Freestone is the highest-ranked and therefore the current number one gun. A former dual world junior champion and 2017 World Tour competitor.

Freestone has got all the moves, possess the power but needs a consistent formula. He could be a world title contender as mentioned last week.

Jack Freestone. Picture credit: World Surf League.

2 Mitch Crews is the second highest rated. There’s nothing cruisey about Mitch’s firebrand spontaneous approach.

This former World Tour competitor is back on the WQS and ready to requalify.

Gold Coast surfer Mitch Crews advancing in second place during Round 1. Picture: WSL

3. Sheldon Shimkus

A super talented Snapper Rocks surfrider excels in deep throated barrels and waves of consequence. Needs a solid break to perfom and a lucky break in comps.

Gold Coast surfer Sheldon Simkus. Picture: WSL

4. Mitch Parkinson is the younger cousin of Joel, and has shown realms of brilliance especially with his free surfing and is a standout at Snapper at any given day.

Mitch Parkinson. Credit - Bernadette McAlinden

5. Noa Deane the youngest son of the late Wayne Deane like his Dad is an evergreen.

Probably the best free surfer in the world, shuns the limelight and the World Tour but given the chance like Mitch could make them all look silly.

Noa Deane. Picture: WSL

6. Chippa Wilson is Cabarita’s underground champion.

A former World junior competitor, Chippa chose his own direction, sailing way above the lip to project a new career much like Noa with insane film clips to back up their unrestricted performances.

Gold Coast surfer Chippa Wilson. Picture: John Respondek

7. Jay “Bottle “Thompson is arguably Burleigh’s best.

A former World Tour competitor who now coaches the Burleigh Boardriders juniors. Botts was only just beaten by Joel Parkinson in the recent Burleigh Boardriders Single fin.

Jay Thompson. Picture: Regi Varghese

8. Liam O’Brien is the next best thing coming out of Burleigh and all things being equal will grind out a successful run in this year’s WQS and is on target to qualify for the 2020 World Tour thanks to a higher seeding from winning three QS events last year.

Liam O'Brien.

9. Jaggar Bartholomew is the oldest son of Rabbit Bartholomew and has the best coach in the world, his Dad.

After a sidelined injury last year, Jaggar is back to his best with the biggest power style for a 17-year-old.

Gold Coast surfer Jaggar Bartholomew. Picture: SURFING QUEENSLAND

10. It’s a dead heat between these two super-hot groms – Fingal’s Dane Henry and Palm Beach’s Ty Richardson. Both in the under-14 category with so much potential at such an early age.

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Gold Coast surfer Ty Richardson. Picture: SURFING QUEENSLAND