Roxy Pro Day 1 Recap

We got to see the Roxy Pro Gold Coast get underway yesterday, and the waves got progressively better as the afternoon went on. Here are some takeaways from the first three rounds of competition:

Sally Fitzgibbons went down in Round 2 for the first time in her career. It actually looked like Sally had her Round 1 heat locked up, but a late charge from Malia Manuel forced her into the second round. Fitzgibbons surfed well in Round 2 as well, but Bronte Macaulay maxed out a pair of waves and pulled the major upset. I’m guessing this will serve as further motivation for Sally this season.

Round 2 was surprisingly filled with top surfers, as Sally, Courtney Conlogue and Stephanie Gilmore were all forced to that round after Round 1 losses. Courtney and Steph really turned it on in that second round, though, suddenly looking like the two strongest surfers at Snapper Rocks, partially thanks to improving conditions. Gilmore would suffer another loss in Round 3 to a red-hot Tyler Wright, and it looks like she’s taking the scenic route in this event.

Tyler, Courtney and Carissa Moore all booked trips to the Quarterfinals, and they were the standout performers on Day 1. They, along with Gilmore, look like the favorites to win this first event of the season. I also want to note how impressed I was by a pair of young surfers, Macauley and Isabella Nichols. They both looked extremely poised for their lack of CT experience.

Carissa Moore, reigning World Champion, won both of her heats on Day 1.
Courtesy of chde.eu

Round 4 has some really interesting matchups on the docket:

Heat 1 – Stephanie Gilmore vs. Nikki Van Dijk: Gilmore has looked really good, so it’s surprising to see her in Round 4. Van Dijk has been solid, as she always is, but I would be surprised to see her bounce the former World Champion here.

Heat 2 – Malia Manuel vs. Bronte Macauley: This is an intriguing heat. Manuel has to be considered the favorite, but what I saw from Bronte yesterday makes me think she definitely has a chance. She’s got great style, as Ross Williams noted, and her backhand was excellent on pumping surf on Day 1.

Heat 3 – Sage Erickson vs. Keely Andrew: Both of these surfers pulled significant upsets in Round 1. Sage took down Conlogue, while Keely beat Steph Gilmore. They both stumbled in Round 3, but someone is headed for the quarters.

Heat 4 – Bianca Buitendag vs. Johanne Defay: Both of these women are very good surfers, probably just outside of the top tier group of the CT right now. Johanne put up a heat score of more than 16 in Round 2, so she’s definitely capable of putting up big scores.

Here are the highlights:

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