IT’S FLORENCE AND THE SWELL MACHINE
YOU know the surf forecast is pretty good when the reigning world champion flies into the Gold Coast to make the most of the swell.
Hawaiian two-time world champion John John Florence was spotted tearing up the waves among the hordes of surfers at Coolangatta yesterday.
Florence isn’t the only world champion on the Gold Coast ahead of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro in March, with women’s champion Tyler Wright also spotted out in the water this week among a raft of other professional surfers.
It’s a sign the Gold Coast is smack bang in the middle of the swell season.
The solid waves hitting the coast are expected to peak at 2m later today, according to surf forecaster Coastalwatch in a forecast that is sure to send even more boardriders out seaching for a wave.
Gold Coast lifeguard superintendent Chris Maynard said beaches remained open yesterday despite the powerful swell.
“I wouldn’t say the swell is huge. It’s about up to 1.5m to 2m at the moment, but conditions have been dangerous with a lot of water moving around the inshore gutters,” Mr Maynard said.
“We’re expecting the swell to pick up today but it’s not that big.”
He said lifeguards closed Surfers Paradise beach yesterday and urged beachgoers to play it safe in the water.
“Surfers Paradise has been closed because it’s been quite unstable, but all other beaches are open,” Mr Maynard said.
“We’d ask swimmers to swim between the red and yellow flags and keep close to shore.”