Major upsets shake the leaderboard

The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro delivered a day full of surprises as several top-ranked surfers were knocked out earlier than anyone anticipated. The competition, held in pumping conditions at Snapper Rocks, saw the leaderboard dramatically reshuffled after a string of unexpected eliminations.

Caity Simmers, one of the most consistent performers on the tour this season, was ousted in a tight heat that left fans stunned. Despite her usual flair and aggressive rail work, she couldn’t find the scores needed to advance, falling short against a wildcard entry who capitalised on the shifting swell and local knowledge.

On the men’s side, Ethan Ewing’s early exit sent shockwaves through the crowd. Ewing, who has been in top form and was widely tipped to make the finals, struggled to find rhythm in the inconsistent sets. His elimination opens the door for lower-ranked surfers to make a serious run at the title.

Caroline Marks and Tyler Wright, both former event champions and perennial threats, also bowed out earlier than expected. Marks was edged out in a nail-biting heat that came down to the final exchange, while Wright couldn’t match the explosive turns of her opponent in the deteriorating afternoon conditions.

These early exits have thrown the rankings wide open, with several underdogs now poised to make deep runs. The shake-up has added a new layer of excitement to the event, as fans and analysts alike scramble to reassess their predictions for the remainder of the competition.

Fan favorites fall in early rounds

The early rounds at Snapper Rocks proved unforgiving for some of the sport’s most beloved figures, as fan favourites were sent packing in a string of closely contested heats. The crowd, which had gathered in anticipation of seeing their heroes dominate, was left in disbelief as the likes of Stephanie Gilmore and Jack Robinson failed to progress past the opening rounds.

Gilmore, an eight-time world champion and local icon, was eliminated in a heat that saw her struggle to find the right waves in a lineup that shifted dramatically with the tide. Despite flashes of her trademark style and flow, she was unable to post the scores needed to overcome her younger, hungrier competitors. The loss was met with a stunned silence from the hill, where fans had been cheering her every paddle and turn.

Jack Robinson, another Aussie favourite and a consistent performer on the Championship Tour, also fell victim to the unpredictable conditions. His heat was marked by long lulls and tricky sections, and although he managed a few solid turns, he couldn’t string together the kind of combination manoeuvres that judges were rewarding. His early departure leaves a noticeable gap in the men’s draw and has fans wondering what could have been.

Other crowd-pleasers like Molly Picklum and Ryan Callinan also bowed out earlier than expected. Picklum, who has been on a tear this season, was narrowly edged out in a heat that saw her opponent lock in a buzzer-beater ride. Callinan, known for his powerful backhand and smooth style, couldn’t find the rhythm needed to match the pace of his heat and was visibly frustrated as he exited the water.

The early losses of these fan favourites have shifted the energy of the event, with the crowd now rallying behind a new wave of underdogs and emerging talents. While the disappointment was palpable, the unpredictability has injected a fresh sense of drama into the competition, keeping spectators glued to the action unfolding at Snapper Rocks.

Standout performances steal the spotlight

While the early rounds at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro were marked by surprise eliminations, they also served as a launchpad for a new crop of surfers who seized the moment and delivered standout performances that lit up Snapper Rocks. With the pressure mounting and the draw wide open, several lesser-known names and rising stars stepped up in a big way, turning heads with their fearless approach and technical precision.

One of the most talked-about performances came from young Aussie surfer Sierra Kerr, who surfed with a confidence well beyond her years. Kerr combined stylish carves with progressive aerials, earning one of the highest heat totals of the day. Her ability to read the shifting peaks and adapt her approach mid-heat showcased a maturity that has many tipping her as a future title contender. The crowd erupted as she landed a clean reverse on her final wave, sealing her spot in the next round and cementing her status as one to watch.

On the men’s side, it was Gold Coast local Kalani Ball who stole the spotlight. Ball, often flying under the radar, used his intimate knowledge of Snapper’s inside bowl to his advantage, threading through tight sections and unleashing powerful snaps in the pocket. His heat win over a higher-seeded opponent drew loud cheers from the hill, with many spectators appreciating the underdog grit and local pride he brought to the lineup.

Brazil’s Samuel Pupo also made a strong statement, blending speed and flair in a performance that reminded fans why he’s considered one of the most exciting surfers on tour. Pupo’s rail game was on point, and his ability to link critical turns with flow and finesse earned him a near-perfect score in one of the day’s most entertaining heats.

Among the women, India Robinson delivered a breakout performance, combining power and precision to dominate her heat. Her vertical backhand snaps and aggressive approach in the pocket drew praise from commentators and fans alike. With several top seeds already out, Robinson’s momentum could carry her deep into the event if she maintains this level of form.

These standout performances have not only reshaped the competitive landscape of the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro but have also injected a fresh wave of excitement into the event. With the field wide open, the stage is set for new heroes to emerge and make their mark on one of Australia’s most iconic surf breaks.

Major upsets shake the leaderboard

It was a day of carnage at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro, with the leaderboard getting a serious shake-up. The surf gods weren’t playing favourites, and some of the biggest names in the game were sent packing earlier than anyone expected.

Caity Simmers, one of the event favourites, couldn’t find her rhythm and bowed out in a shock loss that left fans scratching their heads. The Californian prodigy looked out of sync with the tricky conditions, and the local crowd could hardly believe it when the final horn sounded.

Ethan Ewing, the pride of North Straddie, also fell victim to the unpredictable Gold Coast peaks. Despite a solid warm-up season, Ewing couldn’t convert when it counted, and his early exit left a noticeable gap in the men’s draw. One bloke on the hill reckoned, “He surfed like he left the handbrake on.”

Meanwhile, Caroline Marks and Tyler Wright—both world title threats—were bundled out in back-to-back heats that had the crowd gasping. Marks struggled to find scoring opportunities, while Wright was edged out in a tight heat that could’ve gone either way. The judges had their work cut out, but the scoreboard didn’t lie.

“It’s anyone’s comp now,” said one grommet with a meat pie in hand. “All the big dogs are out. Might as well throw a shrimp on the barbie and see who’s left standing.”

With the leaderboard flipped on its head, the door’s wide open for the underdogs to make a run. And if today’s anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride.

Surprise exits redefine the competition

The early exits of the heavy hitters didn’t just rattle the leaderboard—they’ve completely rewritten the script for the rest of the comp. With the likes of Simmers, Ewing, Marks, and Wright out of the picture, the draw’s looking more open than a Sunday arvo at Snapper with no crowds.

Suddenly, surfers who were flying under the radar are now front and centre. India Robinson capitalised on the chaos, threading clean lines through the shifting peaks and showing the kind of composure that turns heads. She’s surfing like she’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain—classic Aussie battler energy.

On the men’s side, Jacob Willcox and Callum Robson are stepping up big time. Willcox, known for his raw power and no-nonsense approach, laid down some of the day’s highest scores, while Robson’s rail game looked sharper than a filleting knife. With the top seeds gone, these blokes are sniffing opportunity like a barra on the bite.

“Mate, it’s like someone tipped the comp upside down and gave it a good shake,” said a local with zinc on his nose and a stubby in hand. “Now we’re seeing who’s really hungry.”

The vibe on the hill has shifted too. There’s a buzz in the air, a sense that anything could happen. The groms are frothing, the veterans are watching closely, and the underdogs are licking their chops. With the pressure off the usual suspects, the rest of the field is surfing looser, faster, and with a bit more mongrel.

• India Robinson’s backhand attack is looking lethal in the pocket.
• Jacob Willcox is throwing buckets and backing it up with solid heat strategy.
• Callum Robson’s flow and timing are dialled in like a seasoned pro.

It’s a rare shake-up that’s turned the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro into a wide-open battleground. And with the swell still pulsing and the forecast looking spicy, the next few rounds are set to be absolute crackers.