Longboard WSL Qualifier at Burleigh this weekend

For the second year running pro longboarding returns to Burleigh as part of the Gold Coast Open – here’s the full new release from Surfing Queensland – sent out on Tuesday February 11.

PROFESSIONAL SURFING RETURNS TO BURLEIGH HEADS FOR THE 2025 GOLD COAST OPEN

GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (Tuesday, 11 February 2025) – Excitement is in the air as professional surfing returns to Queensland this weekend (14 -16 February) at the iconic Burleigh Heads, a historic location that played a key role in shaping the sport into what it is today.

The stage is set for some of Australia's best surfers to showcase their skills at the 2025 Gold Coast OpenWorld Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) QS1000 rated event. This event also marks the second consecutive year of the Longboard QS (LQS) at Burleigh Heads, making it one of only two LQS events.

The Gold Coast Open plays a crucial role in qualification for both the 2026 Challenger Series and the Longboard World Tour.

Fittingly, Burleigh Heads is the birthplace of modern professional surfing which originates back to the 1977 Stubbies Surf Classic – the event that kicked off the head-to-head competition format and shaped professional surfing today.

PHOTO AND VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDIA

A photo, video and interview opportunity is available for media with athletes and selected notables, Thursday 13 February at Burleigh Point (John Laws Park) at 10:00AM

* 2025 Gold Coast Open professional surfing athletes, Sophie McCulloch and Reef Heazlewood

* Surfing Queensland Chief Executive Officer, Mark Flanagan

* City of Gold Coast Mayor, Tom Tate

2025 GOLD COAST OPEN

The three day event (14 - 16 February) is a renowned event for the region and is much more than a surfing competition. The event will include sunrise yoga, wellness activations, food trucks, live music (Friday and Saturday), skating, beach bar and much more.

HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL SURFING AT BURLEIGH HEADS

The Stubbies Surf Classic was established in 1977, organised that year by surfer, Peter Drouyn. Drouyn established the "head to head" competition format, where two surfers compete in each heat (where before four or even six was normal). This competition format is implemented today in both grassroots and professional surfing competitions. View video of 1977 Stubbies Surf Classic HERE

The 2025 Gold Coast Open is supported by the WSL, Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

Surfing Queensland would like to thank it's corporate event partners for their ongoing support including, Suzuki Queensland, Travla, Dritimes, QMS Media, We Are Feel Good Inc, Ancestral Nutrition, Easy Seltzer, Blackroll, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Chiggy's Skateboarding, Flow Nutrition, Zest Chiropractic and Sea Surfboards.

Media Contact

Keanu Chapman | Media & Communications Manager comms@surfingqueensland.com.au