​The world’s best surfers have officially arrived on the Gold Coast for Stop Number 3 of the 2026 World Surf League Championship Tour. It has been nearly eight years since elite Championship Tour heats were last contested at Snapper Rocks, and the anticipation is massive. The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM will run from May 1 through May 11, bringing the spotlight back to one of the most high-performance waves on the planet.
Fans are ready to welcome the event back to its spiritual home. Since 2018, the competition shifted to spots like D-bah and Burleigh Heads, and navigated two pandemic-interrupted seasons before hosting Challenger Series events. Now, with an incredible forecast and the sand bank perfectly groomed from the Tweed River mouth, Snapper Rocks is primed to deliver long grinding walls and throaty tubes.
Local hero and eight-time World Champion Stephanie Gilmore is looking to turn her season around on her home turf. After two years away from the tour, Gilmore currently sits at the bottom of the rankings at Number 23, marking her hardest start to a season yet. She will face Erin Brooks in her opening heat, hoping to tap into the local knowledge that has earned her six Gold Coast Pro victories. Returning to this wave is special for the wildcard entry. “But of course I’d love to win on the Gold Coast again,” Gilmore said, adding that while places like Pipeline are historical, “this is the coolest for me”.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is equally thrilled about the return. He shared that the city has “worked tirelessly to keep the WSL on our major events calendar”.
Day 2 has been Called ON at Snapper Rocks – May 2
Action is officially on for Day 2 at the 2026 Gold Coast Pro. Get ready for pumping waves and massive heats at Snapper Rocks.
