Caption: Callum Robson delivering a standout performance. Credit: Surfing Queensland
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Friday 14 February 2025) – The waves were pumping at Burleigh Heads for Day One of the 2025 Gold Coast Open, with plenty of excellent surfing and spectacle for both competitors and viewers.
Despite forecasts predicting rain, the Gold Coast Open was treated to full sunshine and ideal wind conditions, offering pristine 4ft surf for the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event. With similar conditions expected throughout the weekend, the competition is set to run in some of the best surf possible.
One of the standout performers in the men’s Round of 64 was 2022-2024 Championship Tour competitor Callum Robson (AUS), who held a dominant lead with a heat total of 14.83 (out of a possible 20 points), progressing into the Round of 32.
2024 Championship Tour surfer and previous Gold Coast Open champion, Sophie McCulloch (AUS), won her heat with the highest heat total of the event with 16.26 (out of a possible 20). She has made a strong return to the WSL QS after injuring her back surfing in Western Australia last year.
Dual athlete Olympian, Ruby Trew (AUS) and two-time Olympic Bronze medalist in skating, Sky Brown (JPN) surfed in the same heat in the women’s Round of 32. Brown dominated her heat, securing a victory and advancing to the next round. Brown will be taking advantage of the skate ramp at Burleigh Heads to fine-tune her skills and stay competition-ready.
With the excellent swell continuing and plenty of sunshine expected for the weekend, it is shaping up to be an action-packed event of surfing and activities for spectators to enjoy.
The afternoon will see Burleigh Hill come alive with a free Valentines Day concert and beach bar open until 8:30PM. Chiggy’s Skateboarding will commence tomorrow with a mix of skate clinics, free skating and pro demonstrations.
The 2025 Gold Coast Open is supported by the WSL, Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
Surfing Queensland would like to thank it’s corporate event partners for their ongoing support including, Suzuki Queensland, Travla, Dritimes, QMS, We Are Feel Good Inc, Ancestral Nutrition, Rockstar Energy Drink, Easy Seltzer, Blackroll and Chiggy’s Skateboarding.
Previous winners of the Gold Coast Open (formerly Burleigh Pro) include names like Taj Burrow, Julian Wilson, Dimity Stoyle, Owen Wright, Sophie McCulloch, Mitch Crews and Isabella Nichols. The event is known for attracting surfers from all corners of the globe including Hawaii, Indonesia, North America, France, Brazil and Japan.
2025 GOLD COAST OPEN
- The three-day event (14 – 16 February) is a renowned event for the region and is much more than a surfing competition. The event will include sunrise yoga sessions by Active and Healthy and Rigs Recovery, women’s group surfing with Club Shakas, food trucks, a skate ramp with pro demonstrations and skate clinics, free concert (Friday 14 & Saturday 15 Feb), pop-up beach bar stocked with Travla beer and Easy Seltzer, and much more.
HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SURFING AT BURLEIGH HEADS
- The Stubbies Surf Classic was established in 1977, organised that year by surfer, Peter Drouyn. Drouyn established the “man on man” competition format, where two surfers compete in each heat (where before four or even six was normal). This competition format is implemented today in both grassroots and professional surfing competitions. View video of 1977 Stubbies Surf Classic HERE
