Surf Scene’s bold 2019 predictions

It’s set to be a ripper 2019. Surf Scene predicts all the big events and winners of the year.

I’M sticking my neck out, nothing new for your risk-taking columnist, and taking a punt on bold 2019 predictions.

So let me gaze into my crystal ball, ponder my gaping navel and speculate the future and foresee what this year will bring.

Now being a staunch local, I will err on the side caution and use unabashed favouritism and pure unabated bias to state my claims.

O’BRIEN REIGNS

Firstly on the QS (World Qualifying Series), Burleigh’s Liam O’Brien will qualify for the 2020 World Tour, the dynamic all-rounder with a steak and potatoes approach will be the

Goldy’s new CT (Championship Tour) golden boy.

OUR BIGGEST TOUR HOPE

QUIKI WINNER

Who’s going to win the world tour opener Quiksilver Pro at Snapper Rocks in April?

It’s anyone’s guess in this era where every heat on the World Tour is like a final.

Jack Freestone of Australia winning Heat 3 of Round One of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro at North Point, Australia. Picture: WSL

My brave call will be the comeback kid. Back for a second time around on the CT (Championship Tour), Jack Freestone is Gold Coast’s sole Golden hope to follow in the wake of world champs Fanning and Joel Parkinson.

If Jack wins at Snapper, the Tugun high flyer will set himself up as a world title contender, and with back to back wins at Bells and then Marg’s, that suits his powerhouse game,

Freestone will have a commanding lead.

LAST WEEK’S SURF SCENE

Maintaining that lead is the trick against the ultimate trickster, Brazil’s dual World Champion Gabriel Medina who like a true thoroughbred canters slowly then storms home to overtake the rest of the field.

WORLD RACE

If Coolum’s world No.2, Julian Wilson can wrack up his usual consistency, seesawing his way into another world title race, he could setup a shot to win the crown which has so far

alluded the Sunshine Coaster.

NEW ERA FOR COAST MUSEUM

Make no bones about it, the 2019 World title will go down at Pipeline. Hawaii’s two-time world champion John John Florence back from injury will win his first Pipe title from retiree Kelly Slater while Medina will wipeout in the quarters losing his chance for a third title.

Gabriel Medina. Picture: WSL

Julian will reach the semis, overcome Medina’s lead and fall over the line like the winter gold medallist ice skater Steve Bradbury to win gold.

Finally like Parko, Wilson will accomplish his long held dream to be World Champion, and bring home the bacon for Australia to be number one again. Sounds good?

QUEEN STEPH

In the womens, well that’s a no brainer, Stephanie Gilmore will win the Mobile Boost Pro at Snapper Rocks and go on to win her eighth world title.

Stephanie Gilmore. Picture: WSL

Is it as easy as that? Well of course not, but if you are punter, you’d be putting it all on Steph to create surfing women’s history as the most decorated women’s champion ever.

Next week: Surf Scene rates Gold Coast’s top 20 female and male surfers.

REVISIT 2006 IN GOLD COAST SPORT