Snapper set to start

Today’s the day! Charlie and Gabby are psyching up somewhere for a repeat win, Joel is ignoring that new hole in his pocketbook, Kelly is likely noshing on some Chia seeds, and the rookies are feeling a few beads of sweat on the backs of their necks. Maybe nerves, maybe excitement. Jack Freestone took down the trials, and will go up against Mick and Banting in heat five. With the first heats of this year’s WT season scheduled to hit the water any minute at Snapper, it seems like a good time to lay out that heat draw and pick a few favs.

Word on street? John Florence, Kolohe Andino, and Joel Parkinson have been turning the most heads in the freesurfs…

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Ricardo Christie (NZL)
Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA), Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW), Jadson Andre (BRA), Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 5: Mick Fanning (AUS), Matt Banting (AUS), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 6: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Dane Reynolds (USA)
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Kai Otton (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 8: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 9: Taj Burrow (AUS), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Keanu Asing (HAW)
Heat 10: Josh Kerr (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Matt Wilkinson (AUS)
Heat 11: Kolohe Andino (USA), Julian Wilson (AUS), Italo Ferreira (BRA)
Heat 12: Owen Wright (AUS), Nat Young (USA), Adam Melling (AUS)