A lot has happened since the last time I wrote on my blog! I left you guys last time in Mooloolaba, enjoying the SUPs, surfing, wakeboarding and relaxing. Well, needless to say, I’m not there anymore.
The original plan was to hire a car, get a group of 6 of us to reduce costs, and drive down to the Gold Coast for a day to see the Quicksilver Pro. For those of you not in the know, the Quicksilver Pro is one of the most coveted surfing competitions in the world. This stop is the first in a series that culminates at the end of September. It is used to work out surfer’s rankings and is basically the “World Championships” of surfing. It would be an incredible experience to be able to see the world’s best surfers in the flesh. Unfortunately, no one else wanted to go down to the Gold Coast other than Sean and I. So we scrap the car hire plan, pack our bags, and leave at 6am – leaving behind friends and overdue rent payments!
We caught a train at 7.25am which took us straight to the Gold Coast, and then just a public bus to take us to Coolangatta. We arrived about 1pm, checked into The Sands Hostel (I recommend it to anyone – it was so comfy and very modern and perfect location for us). We were amazed that they had dorm beds; we were expecting to have to sleep in the surf club or a lifeguard tower for the night (which would have been great fun, if a little chilly and illegal).
We grabbed a camera and a little bit of money and ran down to Snapper Rocks, where the competition was being held. Round 2 of the Pro Mens heats had just started so we got to see some amazing surfing, with the worlds best about 5m away. The crowds started edging out into the ocean, and soon the water was knee deep, with waves splashing shoulder height – a good way to cool off on a scorcher of a day!
The heats were amazing, we saw Brett Simpson, CJ Hobgood, Tiego Pires and many others (just to name a few). Round 3 was meant to start later in the afternoon, but unfortunately there wasn’t going to be enough time. Instead, the organisers put on 2 expression sessions instead. It was incredible. Literally, I have no words to describe the feeling of seeing 10x world champion Kelly Slater goofing off with Mick Fanning and the rest. I apologise if it seems like I’m name dropping but I’m not!!! It was just so surreal to be stood so close to some of the best surfing I have ever seen. I won’t do the competition justice if I try to describe, so I’ll try and put up some pictures intead. Afterall, isn’t a picture worth a thousand words?!
Walking back to the hostel to grab a shower and some food, we stopped to grab a free drink and read the posters. A poster read “The Best…Tarp Hit” and someone had changed it to “The Best…Tarp Puta”. I read this outloud – I’d been in the sun all day and my head was a little fuzzy. Just as I reached “puta”, Kelly slater ran past, turned round and then kept on running. Yes, I just swore in Spanish and Kelly Slater! By the way, he’s much smaller in real life to how you think!
We went back to the hostel, went out for a burger and then headed to sleep. The next morning, the girls were surfing. Tyler Wright, aged 16 and a wildcard for the comp was killing it. We were surpportingn her because you could see she had masses of natural talent. She eventually made it all the way to the final, where she was just denied of the title by Carissa Moore (a solid Hawaiin surfer). While the heat was going on, there was a pod of dolphins playing in the surf. I was so happy to see them.
Unfortunately I had to leave after that heat in order to catch a bus, so I could catch a train, so I could catch my plane up to cairns! I landed in Cairns later that afternoon, got picked up by the hostel, and I’m now writing my blog laid on the double bed watching NCAA basketball as it’s raining outside!
Yesterday, we went to the cinema and saw I am Number Four – awesome film recommend it! We also browsed shops, walked along the lagoon, went to dominos for dinner and had a long walk back in torrential rain. Yes ok, so the weather ain’t great in Cairns, but we’re making the most of it. Today is Sean’s birthday so we’re heading out to the beaches to celebrate. Ok, I’m off as the bball is over!
Laters people, peace and love xxx
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