Surfer’s seriously have the shortest off season of any professional athlete. Simply as fans of surfing we find it hard to believe that tomorrow (yes, tomorrow is March 1, 2014) could see the start of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros on the Goldie. Not sure we’re even up for being up for it as it all could start in four short hours. The trials are finished (Australian’s Matt Banting and Keely Andrew won) and now we’re all simply waiting on a proper swell.
First call is at 1:30 PM PST today (February 28, 2014) US Time, 7:30 AM March 1, 2014 in Australia. To watch live, click here. For the official word from the ASP, including Round 1 heat match-ups, follow the jump.Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Holding period: 1 – 12 March 2014
Call: Upcoming – first call Saturday, March 1, at 7.30 a.m. local time
Conditions: Two-to-three foot (1 metro) Snapper Rocks
COOLANGATTA, QLD, Australia (Friday, February 28, 2014): Trials for the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast presented by BOQ ran today, determining the final wildcards for the event.
Men’s trial winner, Matt Banting (AUS), will face Kelly Slater (USA) and Matt Wilkinson (AUS) in Heat 5 Round 1, which could commence as early as tomorrow.
Women’s trial winner, Keely Andrew (AUS), will face Carissa Moore (HAW) and Malia Manuel (HAW) in Round 1 Heat 3.
Matt Banting (Port Macquarie, NSW/AUS), who won last week’s ASP 6-Star event in Newcastle was in the winner’s circle again today at the Quiksilver Pro Trials. Banting won through a stacked field of talented local and international competitors.
“Last year a few things didn’t go my way and luck was on the other guy’s side,” Banting said. “Getting a win in Newcastle and now here feels great. I’m surfing smart heats and feeling fit and looking forward to the main event. I can’t wait to be up against Kelly (Slater) again, I’ve had two cracks in the past and he’s gotten me both times. It’s been three or four years and I’m stronger and more experienced than last time so we will see how it goes.”
Keely Andrew (Sunshine Coast, QLD/AUS), current No. 2 on the ASP Australasia Junior Qualifying Series was on fire at the Roxy Pro Gold Coast trials today, tearing through the field of 12 surfers to secure a spot in the main event. The young Sunshine Coast surfer progressed past four-time ASP World Champion Lisa Anderson (USA), and many more older more experienced campaigners.
“I came in with a lot of confidence and I’m leaving today with even more,” Andrew said. “I’ve always wanted to be up against the top pro surfers so it will be a lot of fun. I’m here to turn some heads and hopefully make some heats.”
The opening stop on the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast will be webcast LIVE via aspworldtour.com
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA), Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 2: Taj Burrow (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Dion Atkinson (AUS)
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 4: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Bebe Durbidge (AUS), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 5: Kelly Slater (USA), Matt Wilksinson (AUS), Matt Banting (AUS)
Heat 6: Mick Fanning (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 7: Kai Otton (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Nat Young (USA), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Artiz Aranburu (EUK)
Heat 9: Josh Kerr (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Mitch Crews (AUS)
Heat 10: John John Florence (HAW), Gabriel Medina (BRA)
Heat 11: CJ Hobgood (USA), Adriano De Souza (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA)
Heat 12: Michel Bourez (PYF), Owen Wright (AUS), Kolohe Andino (USA)
Roxy Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Alessa Quizon (HAW)
Heat 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Pauline Ado (FRA), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 3: Carissa Moore (HAW), Malia Mauel (HAW), Keely Andrew (AUS)
Heat 4: Tyler Wright (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Johanne Defay (FRA)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Laura Enver (AUS), Paige Hareb (NZL)
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
