Julian Wilson, Coolum, Sunshine Coast

Julian Wilson didn’t do the Australian Open of Surfing. After winning the Break Pro, Burleigh Heads, Julian drove home to Coolum, on the Sunshine Coast, and stayed there. He didn’t even stick around on the Gold Coast to celebrate. But overkill definitely ain’t the key to success, and two contests back to back before the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast wasn’t a necessary exercise.

This year, it’s a dangerous Julian Wilson readying for his sophomore run. “I’m just a lot more in control of what I’m doing and have a much better understanding of what’s going on,” he recently told Stab. “Last year I was all over the place, I was feeling a lot of pressure from changing sponsors and doing my first year on tour. I was scattered. I didn’t really know how it was gonna unfold. I learnt a lot last year and… I feel comfortable. That’s it, really. I feel comfortable with where I’m at now.” Comfort means confidence. And, confidence means everything in a World Tour heat.

Julian’s backside game sits in the world’s top four (other recipients undisclosed). So, a throw like this one at Coolum is nothing to the 23-year-old. But to Stab, it’s a delight.