Surfing
Spot Check: Snapper Rocks
The first stop on tour is some kinda perfect. Barrels, ramps, it's all here. Tropical, too!
Part of this story
Snapper Rocks
© ASP/Robertson
When the ASP World Tour kicks back into gear in early March this year, it'll be Coolangatta on the Gold Coast that the top 34 migrate to. The Quiksilver Pro is the perfect opener to the year – it's tropically warm, and the event is held at one of the best and most famous righthand points in the world: Snapper Rocks.
Snapper is a dredging, sandy wave that wraps down the point. This place can get really perfect. Not in the traditional meaning of the word, but perfect in that it walls up, rolls for a long way, has different sections, works on any tide, and very often has a world class barrel. It can be like a running shorebreak at low tide (but makeable!). And, it can also be as high-performance as its sister beachie, a little ways around the corner, called Duranbah (where you'll certainly find waves when Snapper has none). Snapper's one of the best spectator spots on tour. Mostly 'cause when the tide's low, the audience can stand in knee-deep water, while the dude or gal they've just bet all their money on steams through a barrel a stone's-throw away. They can hear you, too, so scream loud. The takeoff, if you opt for behind-the-rock, can be real intense. And, it's best to opt for behind-the-rock, 'cause if the crowd doesn't stop you from taking off down the line, then the sweep will or the overload of amazing surfers taking off in the sweet spot will. But, that's the worst part – the rest is all golden. If you can navigate the warble or backwash that sometimes appears on the takeoff, or the backpackers that a wave of this excellence tends to attract, then you'll have the time of your life. Definitely worthy of a place on your bucket list.
Jordy Smith always lights up at Snapper
© ASP/Kirstin
The Snapper Barrel is A-Grade
© ASP/Kirstin
Snapper is close to home for Julian Wilson
© ASP/Kirstin
Part of this story