The 2018 Flight Centre Burleigh Pro Surf Festival drew to a dramatic conclusion over the Australia Day long weekend, with Australians taking out the top spots in both the male and female categories.
With surfers travelling from all over the world, the four-day festival and competition delivered all the drama and entertainment that was anticipated. As well as the competition, the festival boasted live music, food and drinks, and movies under the stars, all overlooking Burleigh’s picturesque slice of the Pacific Ocean.
Surfing Queensland CEO Adam Yates has witnessed the growth of the event over the years, and said that the 2018 event was the biggest yet.
“The Burleigh Pro has always been one of the biggest and most exciting events on the Surfing Queensland calendar,” said Adam.
“This year we made some major changes to the site precinct as well as adding lots of entertainment.”
Despite facing off against elite surfers from across the globe, it was the Australians that walked away the happiest.
Nick Squiers, from New South Wales, defeated South African Adin Masencamp in a nail-biting final, which also saw him overcome an intense bluebottle sting.
“The whole heat I was just convulsing in pain, it was the worst pain I’ve ever had,” Nick said.
“I thought I wasn’t going to be able to sit out the 30 minutes, but I’m glad I did.”
Tweed Heads surfer Kobie Enright took on Japanese Sara Wakita in the women’s final to win her second ever Qualifying Series (QS), less than a week after her first QS win.
“I didn’t think I’d make one final this year, let alone two,” Sara said.
“Sara was ripping all event and I watched her in the last few heats, but to be honest I just tried to surf the way I surf and hope for the best.”
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