The 2025 Gold Coast Open has seen winners crowned across both the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event and the Longboard Qualifying Series (QS) event. Burleigh Heads turned on pumping waves for Finals Day, capping off an incredible three days of professional surfing action at one of the world's most iconic point breaks.
Sophie McCulloch and Charli Hately at Burleigh Heads. - WSL
Sunshine Coast local and former Championship Tour (CT) surfer Sophie McCulloch (AUS) has made a triumphant return, claiming victory at her first event back since suffering a career-threatening back injury. As the women's final unfolded, all eyes were on the water, with Charli Hately (AUS) delivering textbook surfing alongside the eventual champion, Sophie McCulloch.
"It feels pretty good to win; there's a lot of work that has gone in behind the scenes to get back to this level, and the girls were absolutely ripping," said McCulloch. "The girls have been really pushing me, so thanks to Charli and girls like Milla and Isla, they are just incredible and really motivated me to push through. I am happy and proud to have gotten back to where I am and I'm looking forward to future events."
Sophie McCulloch - WSL / SQ
Former Championship Tour surfer Morgan Cibilic (AUS) secured victory in a thrilling final against standout competitor Dakota Walters (AUS), who showcased next-level aerial manoeuvres over the course of the event. Despite the exceptional airs, Walters fell short of the score needed to challenge Cibilic's outstanding 9.23 (out of a possible 10).
"Yeah it feels great, I haven't had a win in a while so I'm stoked I was able to get the scores," said Cibilic. "It's probably the most stacked QS 1000 you'll ever see. I was very happy to get a wave with two sections, which gave me a 9.23. It was good fun with Kodes (Dakota); he was absolutely ripping throughout the event."
Morgan Ciblic - WSL / SQ
The first competitor to claim victory today was Tully White (AUS), who is now the back-to-back champion of the women's longboard QS division in the Gold Coast Open. In a nail-biting final, she narrowly got the win over Emily Lethbridge (AUS) in a heat that saw plenty of high-level longboard surfing from the female competitors.
"I'm very stoked! Burleigh is not an easy wave to surf on a longboard, so the win could've gone to any of us," said White. "I recently got a new board from Nettleton, and it felt really fun out there today. It was really nice to share the final with some of my really good friends and take the win."
Tully White - WSL / SQ
The men's longboard final followed, with an intense four-man heat ending in Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) claiming a narrow victory against 2x Australian Longboard Champion Declan Wyton. The heat totals were separated by just 0.10, with plenty of chaos unfolding, including a broken board and Ellice-Fint swimming into the rocks to retrieve his board after opting not to wear a legrope.
"I've been working really hard, and I am blown away that I got the win," said Ellice-Fint. "I did a couple of swims because I chose not to wear a leash! I probably shouldn't be swimming, but I put my heart on the line to go and do well, and I love the thrill of not wearing a leash in heats."
Kai Ellis-Flint - WSL / SQ
The 2025 Gold Coast Open ran at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from February 14 - 16, 2025.
Champions Crowned at 2025 Gold Coast Open at Burleigh Heads
WSL
The 2025 Gold Coast Open has seen winners crowned across both the World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 1000 event and the Longboard Qualifying Series (QS) event. Burleigh Heads turned on pumping waves for Finals Day, capping off an incredible three days of professional surfing action at one of the world's most iconic point breaks.
Sunshine Coast local and former Championship Tour (CT) surfer Sophie McCulloch (AUS) has made a triumphant return, claiming victory at her first event back since suffering a career-threatening back injury. As the women's final unfolded, all eyes were on the water, with Charli Hately (AUS) delivering textbook surfing alongside the eventual champion, Sophie McCulloch.
"It feels pretty good to win; there's a lot of work that has gone in behind the scenes to get back to this level, and the girls were absolutely ripping," said McCulloch. "The girls have been really pushing me, so thanks to Charli and girls like Milla and Isla, they are just incredible and really motivated me to push through. I am happy and proud to have gotten back to where I am and I'm looking forward to future events."
Former Championship Tour surfer Morgan Cibilic (AUS) secured victory in a thrilling final against standout competitor Dakota Walters (AUS), who showcased next-level aerial manoeuvres over the course of the event. Despite the exceptional airs, Walters fell short of the score needed to challenge Cibilic's outstanding 9.23 (out of a possible 10).
"Yeah it feels great, I haven't had a win in a while so I'm stoked I was able to get the scores," said Cibilic. "It's probably the most stacked QS 1000 you'll ever see. I was very happy to get a wave with two sections, which gave me a 9.23. It was good fun with Kodes (Dakota); he was absolutely ripping throughout the event."
The first competitor to claim victory today was Tully White (AUS), who is now the back-to-back champion of the women's longboard QS division in the Gold Coast Open. In a nail-biting final, she narrowly got the win over Emily Lethbridge (AUS) in a heat that saw plenty of high-level longboard surfing from the female competitors.
"I'm very stoked! Burleigh is not an easy wave to surf on a longboard, so the win could've gone to any of us," said White. "I recently got a new board from Nettleton, and it felt really fun out there today. It was really nice to share the final with some of my really good friends and take the win."
The men's longboard final followed, with an intense four-man heat ending in Kai Ellice-Flint (AUS) claiming a narrow victory against 2x Australian Longboard Champion Declan Wyton. The heat totals were separated by just 0.10, with plenty of chaos unfolding, including a broken board and Ellice-Fint swimming into the rocks to retrieve his board after opting not to wear a legrope.
"I've been working really hard, and I am blown away that I got the win," said Ellice-Fint. "I did a couple of swims because I chose not to wear a leash! I probably shouldn't be swimming, but I put my heart on the line to go and do well, and I love the thrill of not wearing a leash in heats."
The 2025 Gold Coast Open ran at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from February 14 - 16, 2025.
Australia/Oceania
Day 2 sets the stage for Finals Day of the 2025 Gold Coast Open For QS 1000 and LQS Events.
Day One of the 2025 Gold Coast Open saw the Men's and Women's QS Opening Rounds take to the water in excellent surf conditions.
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