Kirra bares her soul, QLD

“It hasn’t been this good for a long, long time,” said Mick Fanning the morning after the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast final. “It’s more like the Kirra of old than we’ve known for a long time.” Mick, who’d placed third in the event the previous day, was one of a large group dumping themselves in sandpits and, for those with a little more luck (like the man you see pictured here), fluoro blue tunnels.

First in the water were CJ Hobgood, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr. Josh rode the best wave of the day, which you can watch below. “I can’t even tell you how good it is to be back at Kirra, ” he said afterwards.

There were a lot of big calls being made, but by those who had the right to make them. “It’s certainly the best I’ve seen it since at least 1997,” said film-maker Justin Gane, a man who documented the best of Kirra and the Gold Coast in the 90s. “That was the last time Kirra was even close to breaking properly.”

Dean Morrison, who’d celebrated the 10-year anniversary since his victory at the Snapper event, paddled out and said, “I think I’m still drunk.” It didn’t stop him rifling through his share of drainers. Joel Parkinson also entered the lineup, but in a fashion you’d expect from a world champ: Stepping off the back of a jetski skippered by Makua Rothman, straight into a set in front of big groyne. He arrived at 9.30am, after a morning of perfection, and was frantic, as though he’d been missing out (which he kinda had). A lifeguard hawked Joel’s ski, but there was no trouble. “Nah, he didn’t fine me,” said Joel. “Since their beaches aren’t closed, we’re not really supposed to have skis out here.”

Kelly Slater was right in the mix, of course. But, he enjoyed a solo session at North Kirra below a low-flying chopper. “It’s not as thick down there,” he said. “But it’s just so perfect.”

Drink this photo in, ’cause it could be a long time til you see Kirra looking like this again.