Tweed Sand Bypassing system read if superbank needs boost ahead of World Surf League start

THE Tweed Sand Bypassing system is on standby to replenish the Snapper Rocks superbank ahead of the opening event of the World Surf League this weekend.

Sand pumping has begun on Duranbah beach, after a large amount of sand was eroded away.

THE Tweed Sand Bypassing system is on standby to replenish the Snapper Rocks superbank ahead of the opening event of the World Surf League this weekend.

While the sandbanks appear to have avoided damage from Tropical Cyclone Marcia, organisers will be watching nervously when the competition window opens for the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro on Saturday morning to see if swell has been affected.

Area councillor Chris Robbins said if waves were not properly forming, the sand bypass system would be used to fill holes in the sandbank or as a last resort the event could be moved to Kirra or Burleigh Heads.

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“There is an outlet down here for the sand bypass system which we can use to replenish the beach for the event,’’ she said.

“If the storm has caused a hole to form (in the bank behind Snapper Rocks) we can fill it and let the event run smoothly.

The sand pumping jetty at Tweed could be called into action ahead of the Quiksilver Pro and Roxy Pro this weekend.

“Council engineers will be keeping an eye on it.”

Many hotels are already booked out and restaurant owners are expecting trade to double across the 11-day event.

Coolangatta Hotel marketing and events manager Jackie Alexander said the surfing competition was the most important event of the year for local businesses.

“It is very special to us as a community and helps us bring so many people to the area from all over the world,” she said.

“Our bar is full every night and every year our trade doubles throughout the entire competition.

“The local surfers support us a lot and we will be hosting events every day.”

The World Surf League’s first event of the season is expected to inject more than $10 million into local coffers.

Mick Fanning surfs at Snapper Rocks on January 30. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Swell is expected to drop to around 1m by the competition’s start on Saturday.

WSL officials have the capacity to move the event to Kirra or Burleigh Heads if Snapper Rocks has been too damaged by the storm.

Sand pumping has begun on Duranbah beach, after a large amount of sand was eroded away.