Competition is officially underway at the 2026 Gold Coast Open, with Burleigh Heads delivering a classic opening day that reminded everyone why the point is one of surfing’s great stages. The World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4000 event got off to a smooth start on Wednesday, 18 February, with clean morning conditions and a playful two-foot swell wrapping down the iconic Burleigh Heads point break.
Proceedings began with a Welcome to Country, setting a respectful tone before the first heats of the Men’s Round of 128 hit the water. Early on, the lineup offered enough shape and opportunity for competitors to settle into rhythm and build scores. But as the day wore on, the conditions shifted. A tricky afternoon sea breeze arrived, and the point began to tighten, forcing even the most experienced campaigners to adjust their approach.
While the surf remained contestable, the changing conditions clearly sharpened the challenge. With the ocean less predictable, wave selection became everything, and the margins narrowed as surfers worked to find clean sections that could still deliver scoring potential.
One of the standout moments of Day 1 belonged to Maverick Wilson (AUS), who posted the highest single-wave score of the event so far, dropping an excellent 8.00 out of a possible 10. The 18-year-old Western Australian did it in the more difficult afternoon conditions, where finding quality waves was far from guaranteed. A goofy-footer with a keen eye for opportunity, Wilson’s ability to locate the better sets on a tightening point break proved critical as the lineup became more difficult.
Earlier in the day, Darcy Dwyer (AUS) set the benchmark in the Round of 128, finishing well ahead of the field with a commanding two-wave total of 13.25 out of a possible 20. In an opening round where consistency mattered, Dwyer’s heat served notice that there would be no easing into the Gold Coast Open. The message was simple: take the chances when they come, and make them count.
Another name to underline after Day 1 is Ben Zanatta Creagh (AUS), who advanced to the Round of 96 with a strong heat total of 13.75. The 17-year-old from Sydney’s Northern Beaches will now look to build momentum as they chase a coveted spot in the Round of 64, with the early stages of the draw already producing performances that hint at a deeper run.
As the men’s event continued, Sammy Lowe (AUS) and Dom Thomas (AUS) emerged as key stories in the Men’s Round of 96, eliminating Zeb Stokes (AUS) and Okie Fraser (AUS) to move deeper into the draw. With the conditions becoming more complicated in the afternoon, both Lowe and Thomas showcased smart wave selection and composure under pressure, securing their spots in the next round as the event narrative began to take shape.
Competition concluded with Heat 10 of the Gold Coast Open, Round of 96, closing out an opening day that packed in plenty of action and early talking points. Between the clean morning canvas and the testing afternoon breeze, Day 1 offered a little bit of everything, and the surfers who adapted best were rewarded.
With the men’s early rounds underway, attention now turns to the women as the Round of 64 hits the water today, Thursday 19 February. The draw features Queensland State Champion Sarah Young (AUS) alongside standout competitors Jordy Halford (AUS), Milla Coco Brown (AUS), Ocea Curtis (AUS) and former event winner Dimity Stoyle (AUS), setting the scene for another day of competition at Burleigh Heads.
The 2026 Gold Coast Open runs at Burleigh Heads from February 18 to 22, 2026,
with plenty still to unfold as surfers push through the early rounds and the pressure ramps up deeper in the draw.
