World champion surfers, including Kelly Slater, hang around on Gold Coast to chase big swells

THE Quiksilver Pro is over, but the big names in surfing aren’t going anywhere with pumping swell hitting the Gold Coast.

Note: Slater appears in the footage towards the end.

ELEVEN-time world surf champ Kelly Slater didn’t give up on finding good waves on the Gold Coast after disappointing swells at the Quicksilver Pro.

The American surfing star is still on the Coast and has been spotted — and filmed — carving up huge swells at South Stradbroke Island.

Slater and legendary big wave surfer Ryan Hipwood were caught on camera by amateur filmmaker Owen Milne, 19, who hitched a ride to the island on the back of a stranger’s jetski.

The teen’s footage from the popular surf break shows dozens of surfers making the most of the large and clean waves.

Milne said he was shocked to spot his childhood heroes among the waves.

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Kelly Slater in action at the Quiksilver Pro. Pics Tim Marsden

“It is only my second time shooting and I knew a photographer who lives over there who said Straddy would be going off,” he said.

“So I got a ride on the back of a jet ski and started shooting.

“I was there for about four hours because the waves were amazing but eventually a storm rolled through and cleared us out.

“I didn't know Kelly would be there, but I had a really good feeling about it because Straddy always goes off.

“These guys are in the country for the full leg of the Australian tour and they come here when the waves are pumping. I’m so stoked I managed to get them.”

Dozens of World Surfing League surfers have been spotted relaxing on the Gold Coast in the wake of the Quiksilver Pro.

Slater is believed to be relaxing at his luxury $2.15 million Palm Beach apartment until he has to travel south for the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in April.