World Surf League Gold Coast Pro at Burleigh Heads delivers but Snapper Rocks to stay 2026 host
The global pro surf tour’s glamour Gold Coast stop has two locations vying for supremacy after surf fans say “Burleigh Heads delivered”. VOTE IN OUR POLL
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The idea of the World Surf League annual Gold Coast tour stop staying permanently at Burleigh is swelling after the suburb’s iconic hill offered unrivalled contest viewing.
It is estimated more than 10,000 packed into the Burleigh Hill Gold Coast Pro precinct for the star-studded finals day on Saturday.
The traditional Snapper Rocks home of the Gold Coast Pro is considered the more consistent and spectacular wave but Burleigh is getting plenty of backing for crowd atmosphere and viewing superiority.
Coastal real estate agency principal Dane Atherton, an event sponsor whose team got behind Burleigh local Liam O’Brien in his run to the last 16, said the event was “huge credit” to the WSL after “pivoting so quickly” when Cyclone Alfred damage forced it away from Snapper Rocks.
“The activation area on Burleigh headland created an incredible vibe that I believe would not have been possible in any other location on the Gold Coast,” Mr Atherton said. “The amphitheatre environment and sense of surfing history that Burleigh brings to the table is second to none,” he added, noting Burleigh’s role as the birthplace of one-on-one heat surfing.
“As a sponsor the attendance and engagement in this event was beyond our expectations, not to mention the level of surfing was elite.”
GC AT LARGE: FULL GOLD COAST PRO AFTER-PARTY GALLERY
In a high-quality finals day, eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore bowed out in the quarters to Canada’s 2024 Gold Coast Pro winner Erin Brooks whilst Aussie favourite Sally Fitzgibbons made the final, losing to Hawaiian Bettylou Sakura Johnson.
Ex-world tour runner-up Julian Wilson used his qualifying win to nearly go all the way, before bowing out to Brazilian two-time world champion Filipe Toledo in a fiery, nip-and-tuck final.
Buzzing World Surf League tour manager Renato Hickel said: “Burleigh Heads delivered.
“We love Burleigh Heads. For all the locals, thank you. The community here that put up with quite a few of our events the last couple of months but have stood behind us, supported us - we’re very thankful.”
Asked if Burleigh could become the permanent Gold Coast Pro location, Mr Hickel said: “There are no permanent locations on tour - but Burleigh is definitely a high candidate.”
WSL president Andrew Stark added: “Burleigh has been absolutely incredible. We had no sand at Snapper, we came to Burleigh and it has turned it on.
“We are very happy about Burleigh Heads, thank you to the community.
Asked about the famed hill’s vibe, Mr Stark said: “Amazing, over 10,000 people here and having two Australians in the final was incredible.
“I think every single Brazilian on the Gold Coast came out in force to support Filipe so it was amazing. Pro surfing is back on the Gold Coast - and the world tour event and Burleigh Heads delivered.”
Asked if Burleigh Heads should remain the home of the Gold Coast Pro in future, Mr Stark said: “The necessary Snapper Rocks to Burleigh Heads move was an incredible success and the show of support from the fans at the point was testament to this.
“Burleigh Heads has a long and rich history in pro surfing and that history and story was certainly added to over the past couple of weeks with a truly amazing 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Championship Tour event.
“The natural amphitheatre at Burleigh makes it such an incredible location for international surfing events. At this point in time our intention is to return to the iconic Snapper Rocks for the 2026 Championship Tour event.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said 20,000 plus had packed into Burleigh on finals day with 100,000 plus attending across the week: “We know the economic impact will be massive and we are expecting it to be a record given the demand for world-class surfing.
“Local businesses experienced great upside.”
Asked about Burleigh becoming the permanent location, he said: “Whilst Burleigh Heads was amazing, we with the WSL intend to return the CT event to Snapper Rocks.
“The consistent wave quality and iconic nature of the location is why it was returned to that location - after six years (away from the Gold Coast).”
FIRE, A MIDDLE FINGER FLIPPED AMID PASSION APLENTY ON BURLEIGH HILL
Burleigh Hill was buzzing - in and out of the water.
It was a Gold Coast Pro finals day with it all - competitive fire, a middle finger flipped in the heat of battle, and 20,000 mainly Australian and Brazilian surf fans cheering on their heroes.
The world pro surfing league’s main Championship Tour return to the Gold Coast for the first time in six years was packed with wow moments. From eight-time world champion Stephanie Gilmore cutting through the field into the final eight as well as shredding guitar on stage with Spiderbait to Burleigh Boardriders fans cheering on hometown fave Liam O’Brien - complete with headshot placards of him - this was professional sport at its eye-popping best. Finals day drama - punctuated by a stunning double rainbow - only cemented its lustre.
The men’s title fight between Sunshine Coast dad and ex-world tour runner-up Julian Wilson, on the comeback trail, and fellow dad Filipe Toledo - also returning from a hiatus - is being talked up as one of the best heats in the tour’s illustrious Gold Coast history. Wilson was so fired up at one point after nailing a decent wave in the dying minutes, he turned to the boisterous Brazilian fan section and flipped the bird.
Accepting his runner up trophy, Wilson said: “Congratulations to Filipe, the Brazilian crowd got me so fired up - from the bottom of my heart, I love you guys, the battles, they always bring something out in me. Apologies for the bird,” he said as they cheered some more.
It was a special comeback for Wilson who stepped away from the elite level to focus on family and will now attempt to get back on the main tour via the Challenger circuit.
“It’s truly one to remember for me, thank you all very much.”
2022-23 world champion Toledo added: “I want to thank God for bringing me back. I took a year off to take care of myself and take care of my family - just like this man.”
Asked what he and Wilson were “talking about” as they appeared to argue with a few minutes to go, he said: “Um, just a lot of fire, a rematch after 10 years sharing a final here on the Gold Coast. We are just super competitive. Me, Jules, everyone on tour - we want to win so bad every time we are in a final.
“As Julian said it just brings the fire out. Both of us now being dads with kids. Looking back, when younger and trying to go after our dreams - now we are here with family and kids. Thank the whole crowd, all the Aussies, all the Brazos did an amazing job supporting your surfers. You showed a lot of passion and a lot of heart. This is surfing.”
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Originally published as World Surf League Gold Coast Pro at Burleigh Heads delivers but Snapper Rocks to stay 2026 host
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