World Surfing Reserve: Gold Coast Part 1
The Gold Coast on Australias East Coast was the second World Surfing Reserve (WSR) within Australia. In 2010 Manly in Sydney was approved as the first WSR in Australia and just 5 years later the Gold Coast followed. Together with the WSR in Noosa which was the latest addition there are 3 World Surfing Reserves (WSR) in Australia alone.
In total there are 10 of these Reserves all over the world.
What is a World Surfing Reserves?
World Surfing Reserves proactively identifies, designates and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and surrounding environments around the world.
The programm was launched in 2009 by Save The Waves Coalition in cooperation with partners like National Surfing Reserves (NSR) and the International Surfing Association (ISA). The purpose of the program is to actively preserve wave breaks and their surrounding areas.
It takes a lot of time and effort to get a area like the one at the Gold Coast approved, but in 2012 it finally became true. Since that the area between Snapper Rocks in Coolangatta, up the coast until Burleigh Heads is officially a World Surfing Reserve
First Section: Snapper Rocks to Kirra Point also called the Superbank
Since the whole WSR covers 16km of coastline I divided it into 2 sections, Snapper Rocks to Kirra Point and Kirra Point to Burleigh Heads.
That first sections starts at Snapper Rocks one of the most consistent quality right hander waves in Australia.
Note: This is a experienced surfers only wave. Don´t go there if you´re a beginner or still learning to surf green, unbroken waves, as you will most likely get hurt.
From here on it goes passed the Rainbow Bay Surf Club into the Rainbow Bay, another world class right hand point break.
Rainbow Bay is then connected to next section called Greenmount which actually is my favourite section and the best place to watch the action in the water.
Greenmount starts in front of the Rainbow Bay Loookout from where spectators have the most awesome view. You can see as far as Snapper, see the surfers coming in from Rainbow Bay and going pass the Lookout...if the waves are good. :)
The Lookout is actually a boardwalk which leads you from the Rainbow Bay Beach to Coolangatta Beach on the other side.
Surfers walking back to the entry point at snappers
The first Lookout. There are several along the boardwalk
When you have passed this Lookout you´re actually already going on to Coolangatta Beach where the fun ends...at least at days like this.
If you go up the Hill to Pat Fagan Park you can see both sides, from Snapper to Greenmount and Greenmount all the way to Kirra Point.
Snapper, Rainbow Bay and the start of Greenmount
Greenmount
On to Coolangatta Beach
Ok lets sum this up...there are 3 sections, Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay and Greenmount which are all 3 world class right hand point breaks. Depending on the season, the three can be connected as one (February-July) or separate point breaks (August-January). This is, why it is also called the Superbank.
It is every surfers dream to catch a wave which carries you from Snapper Rocks all the way past Greenmount into the bay of Coolangatta Beach. When this happens you can surf up to 2km, if your legs don´t get tired.
But when all the conditions are perfect for waves like this, there is absolute mayhem in the water and you can actually be happy if you catch any wave. It´s not a question if there will be a hundred surfers in the water it´s more the question how many hundred.
What does not mean that it is impossible. In 2002 a local surfer took off at Snapper Rocks and surfed all the way to the Kirra Groyne at the end of Coolangatta Beach, a whopping 1,97km ride. I guess his legs felt like jelly after this.
We are still not finished here the best part is still to come. From the Kirra Groyn on west you will have the chance to surf the absolut best wave in the world. On perfect days it produces the deepest and longest tube rides on this planet. It just recently happened during the Cyclone Uesi, see my previous Blogpost.
Unfortunately I do not have much photos of this spot, so make sure to watch the videos below.
"The biggest sin in the world would be if I lost my love for the ocean."
-Laird Hamilton
YOU WILL FIND THIS POST ON STEEMITWORLDMAP AS WELL
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap -28.165102 lat 153.543112 long World Surfing Reserve d3scr)
Congratulations, Your Post Has Been Added To The Steemit Worldmap!
Author link: http://steemitworldmap.com?author=betterthanhome
Post link: http://steemitworldmap.com?post=world-surfing-reserve-gold-coast-part-1
Want to have your post on the map too?
They say surfing is more of a lifestyle than sport and looking at your cool surfing posts like this one, I must agree :) Awesome shots of awesome places.
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 5/15 - need recharge?)
It definitely is, I also see it more as a lifestyle. But it keeps you fit ;)
Snapper is good...... If you want to surf it with 1000 of your closest mates. This area has lost it's allure now it attracts hundreds of people.
haha so true. That´s why I only go when it´s not that good. Would never go on a day when it´s pumping. But it´s the same everywhere. Noosa is out of control, Indonesia is always crowded, even the Mentawais.
Willst du im Winter nach Hawaii zu den contests?
Schön wärs. Nein wir werden noch bis Frühjahr 2021 in Australien sein und dann, wenn alles gut läuft nach USA fliegen. Campertrip! :)
You have been curated by @yousafharoonkhan on behalf of Inner Blocks: a community encouraging first hand content, with each individual living their best life, and being responsible for their own well being. #innerblocks Check it out at @innerblocks for the latest information and community updates, or to show your support via delegation.
That's really impressive that there are 10 WSR and Australia has three!
It is. I did not know this as well. Just learned it. Australia is just awesome. :)
Hiya, @LivingUKTaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #792.
Your post has been manually curated by the @steemitworldmap team and got an upvote from @blocktrades to support your work. If you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider supporting us so we can keep the project going!
Become part of the Haveyoubeenhere community: