Filipe Toledo wins his first World Tour event (the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast)

All photos by Tom Carey

It was Filipe Toledo’s first ever World Tour final. And it was Julian Wilson’s first final at Snapper. It was the first event of the year, and the first World Tour contest officially run under the WSL banner. And in the final, Filipe got the first 10 of the event, on the very last wave ridden in the event. And, the highest combined total of the event.

Yeah, there were a whole lot of firsts today. But most importantly, it was the first time that Filipe Toledo has shown the world how truly lethal his competitive surfing can be. The teenager just won the Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast, and did so in some wildly entertaining fashion.

Filipe lost in round one. But in round two, he came back with a 16.47 total. Round three, he won with 18.50 points. Round four, a 17.83-point victory. Seeing a pattern here? The quarters were won with a 17.34 total. He beat fellow countryman Adriano De Souza in the semis with a 17.23 combined total, and when he faced Julian Wilson in the final, sealed it up with a 9.60 and a 10. After round two, the kid didn’t leave the water without a nine. And why? Because he combo’d things that few others in the field were combo-ing during this contest. Tail-blows into roundhouses into power hacks into air reverses into pocket wraps into club sandwiches. His facework became a lot more apparent at this event than ever before, and he threw a lot of water considering his featherweight frame. Maybe it’s a newfound confidence in the slipstream of Brazil’s first world champ, maybe not; point is, shit came together for Filipe Toledo at Snapper 2015.

“This is the best feeling in the world and I’m so happy,” he said. “Only god and my family know how much I’ve been training, both physically and mentally. I’m so happy to win an event and feeling really confident too. After this event it’s going to be a great year for all the Brazilians. I was really having fun and my board was working really well. The last wave was amazing and it was really cool to get a 10. Last year was an amazing year for Brazil and I was very proud of Gabriel. His win was definitely a big motivation for me.”

“The Brazilian fans are unbelievable,” he continued. “No matter the weather, whether it’s raining or sunny or whatever, they’re always with me and I just love the Brazilian people. It feels great that I’m world number one. I was thinking about it after the final, it’s amazing!”

Julian Wilson also deserved every bit of his finals appearance. He, too, linked some stellar combos and looked straight danger and raw confidence (hail marys!) in the quarters and semis. “It’s unreal to get off to such a good start,” said Jules. “Everyone on the beach knew that Filipe was the in-form surfer of the event so congratulations to him. I had a great event, I love this event and I love having my family here. It’s been incredible and a special one. Second is pretty good so thanks to everyone. This is obviously a great result and I’m carrying the momentum from Pipe.”

“Last year was a really tough year emotionally with everything that went on with my family, I’m a very big family person so it was a hard year,” continued Jules. “That was the biggest thing to overcome. I got back from Europe after having a big slump on tour and then I had to pack my bags and go to Brazil for the Qualifying Series and back myself up. Once I knew everything was good at home and I could really focus on what I was doing and strive to achieve my dreams.”

And here’s something that 98.76% of you never thought you’d read today:

Filipe Toledo is the current world number one.

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Final Result:
1: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 19.60
2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 14.70

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Final Result:
1: Carissa Moore (HAW) 18.43
2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 15.50

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results (1st to Final, 2nd=3rd):
SF 1: Julian Wilson (AUS) 16.26 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 15.60
SF 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.23 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 10.34

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Semifinal Results (1st to Final, 2nd=3rd):
SF 1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.26 def. Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 11.53
SF 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.86 vs. Tyler Wright (AUS) 16.06

Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results (1st to SF, 2nd=5th):
QF 1: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 13.79 def. Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 13.67
QF 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 17.44 def. Taj Burrow (AUS) 11.17
QF 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 15.07 def. Mick Fanning (AUS) 13.32
QF 4: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 17.34 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 16.23

Roxy Pro Gold Coast Quarterfinal Results (1st to SF, 2nd=5th):
QF 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 14.23 def. Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.93
QF 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 16.00 def. Silvana Lima (BRA) 14.17
QF 3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 15.33 def. Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.40
QF 4: Carissa Moore (HAW) 17.67 def. Lakey Peterson (USA) 15.03