Day 2 of the 2026 Gold Coast Open, a World Surf League Qualifying Series (QS) 4000 event, delivered another full day of momentum at Burleigh Heads, with clean early conditions, the women’s draw opening in small point-break surf, and a men’s Round of 64 that turned into a genuine upset reel.
With the remaining six heats of the Men’s Round of 96 completed to start the day, attention quickly shifted to the Women’s Round of 64, before the first 12 heats of the Men’s Round of 64 closed out competition.
Women’s draw opens with confidence and a few surprises
In the clean morning conditions at Burleigh, a group of Australians led the way with composed, point-break surfing. Milla Coco Brown, Natalie Fensom and Ava Arghyros advanced confidently through to the Round of 48, joined by Peru’s Catalina Zariquiey, each producing standout performances on the iconic stretch of sand and rock.
There was early drama too. Nyxie Ryan was eliminated despite recording the highest single-wave score of the day for the women, a 7.00. Ryan was knocked out by Nao Omura and Sunshine Coast surfer Coco Cairns, with Cairns posting the next-highest women’s number of the day at 5.60.
Another Sunshine Coast competitor, Brisa Canina, made her mark immediately. The 17-year-old claimed the first women’s heat of the event, posting the highest heat total seen so far in the women’s draw, a 10.00 (out of a possible 20). With the event now in motion for both divisions, the women’s side has already shown it will not be short on swings in momentum.
Men’s Round of 64 delivers a day of upsets
If the morning belonged to clean conditions and controlled point-break lines, the afternoon leaned into the unpredictable. The Men’s Round of 64 brought a series of results that reshaped the draw, with several Challenger Series and Championship Tour competitors exiting earlier than expected.
One of the standout performances came from I Made Ariyana, who impressed in the small waves to eliminate local talent and top-ranked Challenger Series surfer Oscar Berry. It was a polished performance in tricky surf, and one that underscored how quickly a QS heat can turn when the ocean goes quiet and every decision counts.
There were still proven names who navigated the change in conditions with experience. Former Championship Tour surfers Jackson Baker and Callum Robson progressed through to the Round of 32, handling the afternoon with composure as conditions became more challenging.
As the day continued, Japan’s Kei Kobayashi, the current Asia region QS rankings leader, produced the highest single-wave score on the men’s side, a 7.25 (out of 10). It was a key moment in a session where opportunities became harder to find.
For the second day running, Ben Zanatta Creagh delivered the highest heat total, posting a 12.25 two-wave total in the Round of 96, then backing it up by winning the final heat of the day to move into the Round of 32. Coming off a Quarterfinal finish in his most recent QS appearance in Brazil, the 17-year-old Northern Beaches surfer is continuing a strong trajectory as the event builds.
There were more storylines packed into the men’s draw. CT surfer Joel Vaughan advanced into the Round of 32, while fellow CT competitor Rio Waida was eliminated in a tightly contested heat that saw Taj Stokes and Ocean Lancaster progress.
Then came one of the biggest upsets of the day. Reigning WSL World Junior Champion Dane Henry and Burleigh Boardriders’ Tom Whitpaine knocked out defending Gold Coast Open champion Morgan Cibilic, along with Dylan Wilcoxen, who currently sits at No. 3 on the Asia QS rankings. In a single heat, the storyline of the event sharpened: nothing is guaranteed at Burleigh, and the QS remains one of surfing’s most unforgiving proving grounds.
All eyes on Stephanie Gilmore’s return
Day 3 also set up the moment the Gold Coast has been waiting for. Eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore returned to Burleigh Heads to wear a QS jersey for the first time in seven years, reigniting competitive momentum ahead of her return to the Championship Tour following two seasons away.
The timing is significant, with the 50th anniversary CT season set to kick off at Bells Beach in April, and Gilmore eager to be back in her element on the Gold Coast.
The 2026 Gold Coast Open runs at Burleigh Heads from 18 to 22 February, 2026.
