Fingers crossed for lines like these. Photo: Jack Dekort
On March 1st, the ASP Men’s World Championship Tour’s long 76 day break from competition will come to an end with day one of the waiting period for the 2014 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, event number one on the eleven-stop tour.
Former Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast champions competing in the 2014 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast include Joel Parkinson (2002 and 2009), Kelly Slater (2006, 2008, 2011 and 2013), Mick Fanning (2005 and 2007) and Taj Burrow (2010 and 2012). All four of these surfers will be considered heavy favorites for taking home the 2014 Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast title. They will each be looking for this event’s result to kickstart their 2014 World Title aspirations.
Hot on the heels of these heavy favorites will be Julian Wilson (world #6 in 2013), Jordy Smith (world #4 in 2013), and Adriano DeSouza (world #13 in 2013). Those looking to make a statement, and turn their thus far underachieving ‘CT careers around, will be Kolohe Andino (world #26 in 2013) and Adam Melling (world #23 in 2013). The scary talented Filipe Toledo (world #15 in 2013) will be a major force for each of his heat opponents to contend with, whether it be in the early rounds or at the business end of the event.
Only one goofy-footed surfer has ever won the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – Michael “Mick” Lowe, in 2004. With a collection of quite possibly the best backhand goofy-footed surfers ever on tour – an on-the-mend Owen Wright, Adrian Buchan (world #13 in 2013) and Nat Young (world #8 in 2013) – it would not be a stretch for any one of these surfers to mount a successful title campaign at the legendary right walls of Snapper Rocks. Better yet, if conditions allow for it, another classic showdown at the thick barreling and much-beloved Kirra, could happen.
No surfer has ever successfully defended the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast title. Look for Kelly Slater to change that in 2014, and to be poised to start off where he left off last year; namely with yet another ASP WCT title to his name, and showing the surfing world that he is still the standard that everyone else will continue to be held to.
The newly managed ASP WCT gets its long awaited-for start with the concurrent running of the 2014 Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast events. With a new look to the ASP website, a solid webcast commentary team and the return of J-Bay to the WCT, things look to be in great shape to promote the sport of competitive surfing to exciting new levels in 2014.
Don’t miss a section of the live action. Watch it here.
