Kelly Slater at Kirra during the 2013 Quik Pro. Photo: Nate Smith
Though there have been positive steps in recent history to save the world famous Australian break, it seems that Kirra still isn’t truly trouble-free. It is inevitable that as our population grows, we will destroy some things, but that doesn’t make it any easier to let go. Nor do those things have to be surf breaks. Kirra’s sand bottom barrels are home to some of Oz’s best surfers, including current world champ Mick Fanning, Rabbit Bartholomew and so many more.
After the Gold Coast City Council spent $1 million on the placement of rocks were placed off the end of Kirra Groyne, Kirra remains on Surfrider’s Endangered Wave list.
The Mayor of the Gold Coast, Tom Tate, showed his support for Kirra Groyne’s extension back to its original length in an effort to get the wave at Kirra back to its reeling perfection. After the groyne was shortened in the 90’s, the wave changed, and not for the better. The re-extension of the groyne didn’t work, though – the sand pumping out of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypass Project is affecting the bay’s bottom conditions.
“It is refreshing that after 15 years of campaigning the Mayor and Councilors of the Gold Coast have taken such a positive step” said said Surfrider Chairman Brendan Donohoe to SurfersVillage. “What is needed now is for Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and Local Currumbin MP Jann Stuckey to ensure that sand pumping from the TRESBP project is coordinated with the council’s actions.”
Kirra is one of the best regarded waves in Australia. It’s the home break of three-time surfing world champ Mick Fanning, and the 15-year-campaign to bring back Kirra is testament to the passion of many surfers, particularly groups like Kirra Point Inc and local legends Wayne Deane and Rabbit.
