What to do after the world’s strangest surf contest

The Quiksilver Pro, Gold Coast was an exhausting time for the top 34. After a brief day of action at the very start of the waiting period, the world’s best then had to sit around for two weeks waiting for swell to show up, doing push ups and re-waxing rafts in their hotel rooms until the horizon sneezed – and that waiting game was even extended by two days. What then followed immediately after was one the most entertaining (albeit strangest) days of competition in recent memory. But, what comes next? With a three-week break between Snapper and Bells, the tour’s elite face a dilemma. Fly home for a short while, wherever that may be, or stay put and slowly drift towards Victoria, avoiding another major timezone acclimation and exhausting battle with jetlag. For a select few, a couple of weeks in their respective beds makes 20-plus hours of travel well worth it. For others, not so much. Here, we scroll the world’s greatest celebrity-locator, aka social media, to find out where in the world our favs are hanging. Kolohe Andino: Brother has jetlyfe’d back to San Clemente for some quality time at T-Street with his pals – Ian Crane in particular… cute couple (of palm trees). As of writing, Brother and Crane are headed to an LA vs Anaheim hockey game. John John Florence: So, John John bounced over to West Oz for his new film’s last big clip-stacking trip. While stills are unsurprisingly kept off social media, lets hope this gem, admittedly pre-snapper, makes it in the final cut. Julian Wilson: Jules made his way back home to the Sunshine Coast for a brief post-snapper summer break. After his performance in the jersey, he’s certainly earned a touch of r&r. Looks like he’s still performing for a crowd, though. Gabriel Medina: After the rockiest event Gabs has had yet, he’s boarded a plane with Wilko. Either Gabby is teaching Wilko how to win a title, or Wilko is teaching Gabby how to cut loose after a shocker. Either way, these goofyfooters are on the move. Jordy Smith: Jords has stuck to the the Gold Coast, and has been dancing for the lenses of @Badboyryry (Ryan Miller) and @Tallteef (Trevor Moran) at some of the punchy beachies. The rest of his pre-Bells break, however, will be spent in West Oz with the O’Neill crew. Filipe Toledo: Celebrating like any champ should, Filipe grabbed Miguel Pupo and a handful of buds, pops included, and bailed to Indo. It’s rumored that Lakey Peak is their focus, which will no doubt help Filipe stay loose before Bells. Bret Simpson: Simpo’s been sticking it out among the Gold Coast crowds too, reaping the rewards of his personal extended waiting period. Simpo is damn good at the “disco wrap” pictured here, and has been doing plenty of them sans-jersey. Kelly Slater: Mr Slater’s been hanging around the Gold Coast as well, for what appears to be a Momentum-generation reunion of sorts. Wave checks with Shane Dorian, and group photos with Rob Machado, Ross Williams, and Taylor Steele have been on Kelly’s immediate post-snapper agenda. Nat Young: This can only be the Steamer Lane rock jump, which Nat knows intimately and has been surfing below after bailing post-Snapper. With right points of all kinds littering his home stretch of coast, a Santa Cruz stint before Bells is enough to justify the lengthy return flight. Dane Reynolds: Dane doesn’t have to worry about making it to Bells. But, who doesn’t want to know where the guy’s at between intermittent flashes in the public eye? As per this carseat selfie, Dane stuck to the Gold Coast, only to receive one hefty goose-egg and a few stitches.