VISITORS FROM NEAR AND FAR TAKE IN THE ACTION

SNAPPER Rocks has long been a mecca for surfers from around the world keen to challenge themselves on the Superbank.

But once a year, the hamlet of Rainbow Bay becomes an international drawcard as the bet men’s and women’s surfers on the planet gather for the opening event on the World Surf League championship tour.

Locals, visitors, tourists from around the world; men, women and children of all ages gather on the beach and perch on the rocks to watch the action.

Anna Canobas and Colal Mana, from Barcelona, were among those watching yesterday as Rounds 2 and 3 of the Roxy Pro were run.

Canobas arrived in Australia four months ago to study English and now lives on the Gold Coast, with Mana visiting her friend on the Gold Coast.

“I follow (the surfing), I’m not a (huge) fan, I don’t follow every competition but I had the opportunity to come because I live next to here, so we had the opportunity to come to see a surf competition for the first time,” Canobas said.

“We like it but we don’t understand how it works so much.”

While the pair enjoyed their visit, as fans of Gabriel Medina and world champion John John Florence, they hope to be back when the Quiksilver Pro resumes later this week. “If we can come back, we will, because we want to see the men,” Canobas said. “Today we’ve seen the women but we want to see the men as well.”