EVERY TIME YOU SURF, IT’S DIFFERENT. THE THRILL OF CATCHING A WAVE NEVER GETS OLD

Coast locals using body boards and wooden SURF STALWART OF THE SEA surf boards at and Main A LIFESTYLE LIGHTLY SALTED DENIS LOWE Beach as early as 1912. The 1970s saw the With our pumping breaks and ‘surf above all Nearly every morning for 56 years, Denis development of a strong industry on else’ mantra, a few surfing world champs that Lowe has paddled out into the surf with his the Gold Coast, and by 1977, the city was we call mates and a culture that hangs its longboard. And at 71, he has no intention ready to take centre stage when it hosted hat, and its heart, on boards, bikinis and of stopping any time soon. “Surfing is like a the Surf Classic at Burleigh Heads. beach bags, it’s safe to say we know a thing bug,” he explains. “Once you start, it’s hard to This was the first event of the modern world or two about getting salty ‘round here. imagine not doing it. Every time you surf it’s surfing tour which was fittingly won by local Our beaches are as iconic as those who different. The thrill of catching a wave never surfing legend Michael Peterson. patrol them and our kids grow up learning to gets old.” Since then the Gold Coast has been a swim before they can walk. We surf check on For Denis, surfing – and particularly breeding ground for famous waveriders, the daily, talk about waves with anyone and longboarding – is about inclusivity. “Surfing such as champions Mick business deals are often done in boardrooms is a great way to meet the locals. If you’re Fanning and , both raised that have sets rather than tables. interested in surfing, it’s a good idea to have on the Gold Coast. Each year, surfers from We’re active and healthy, riding cruisers, a couple of lessons then join a local club.” around the globe visit the Gold Coast to surf getting gnarly on skateboards or running to Denis is a proud member of the Burleigh the numerous world-class point and beach keep ourselves fit. Our weekends are spent Longboarders (@burleigh_longboard_club). breaks. beachside sipping coffee, and we might even “Burleigh, Kirra Beach, and In 2016, the 16-kilometre stretch of the Gold get frothy with a beer or two. We live by the Narrowneck in Main Beach are all great Coast from Burleigh Heads to beach, and are fuelled by its energy; it’s our for longboarding,” recommends Denis. was declared a World Surfing Reserve tonic, a ritual and our muse. “Shortboarders like Snapper Rocks, and (@gcwsr), joining an elite list of seven other Greenmount Beach is great to watch.” places worldwide, including California’s is integral to the Gold Coast. Malibu and Punta de Lobo in Chile. Anecdotes and archived photos show Gold

7.00am CURRUMBIN BEACH DestinationGoldCoast.com/Surf UNCOVER INSPIRE DOWNLOAD EXPERIENCE STORY IDEAS READY-TO-GO CONTENT 10.15am TALLEBUDGERA CREEK LEARN TO SURF A LIFE DEDICATED TO SURF VIDEO | MEDIA SHOWREEL Surf a set on the eighth World Profile the surfers, designers, VIDEO | #WEAREGOLDCOAST Surfing Reserve ( to board shapers, artists, PICK OF THE BUNCH Burleigh Heads) under the watchful photographers and musicians all What makes this place so special? THE COAST’S BEST BEACHES eye of a former World Champion, living a life dedicated to the ocean. VIDEO | SURFING ROYALTY Cheyne Horan. @cheynehoran and Joel Parkinson With 57 kilometres of ocean-kissed coastline flanked cold one at the Rainbow Bay Surf Lifesaving Club or A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... introduce their home patch. by sand the colour of sugar, it’s fair to say that we’re even rub shoulders with surfing royalty. HIKE THE HEADLAND Don the iconic red and yellow spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches. To help, Head to Burleigh Headland for and learn what it takes to be a VIDEO | TREVOR HENDY CURRUMBIN basalt cliffs, sacred sites and the we’ve rounded up a list of the must-visit beaches volunteer surf lifesaver on the Gold World Ironman Champion shares on the Gold Coast. Some iconic, others a best kept A surf spot loved by locals keen to see the morning’s best views in the city. Reward Coast. @lifesavingqld his Gold Coast. secret... until now. first light, it’s also a great spot for beginners with a yourself after with lunch at Rick EXTREME TO MAINSTREAM bunch of surf schools to choose from. Don’t leave Shores. @imrickshores PHOTO GALLERY without climbing Elephant Rock for stunning ocean A history of the Gold Coast’s BURLEIGH views (bonus points if you make it for sunrise or SKYDIVE ONTO THE BEACH journey to becoming the home of COPY Rounding out the top five Best Beaches in sunset). For lunch with a view try Currumbin Vikings Get a birds-eye view of the Australian surfing and the local Covering beaches, surfing, coastal List for 2018, this nook is known for its quaint, surfy, Surf Life Saving Club. coastline from 15,000 feet, landing surf economy that has emerged culture and waterways. boho charm. Come hungry, thirsty and ready to get on spectacular Kirra Beach. as a result. into the outdoors. Between surfing, barefoot bowls, TALLEBUDGERA CREEK @goldcoastskydive ITINERARY | 2-DAY SURFING walking up Burleigh Hill, browsing boutiques and Towered by Burleigh Headland, Tallebudgera Creek READY, SET, FROTH SAIL THE BROADWATER Spend a weekend immersing enjoying a rooftop cocktail, there’s nothing Burleigh is the place to go if pristine turquoise water is more Jump on board with salt-living yourself in the Coast’s surf culture. can’t provide. your style. This is a local treasure, offering everything Take to the water on board a luxury locals to share their favourite from paddle boarding, canoeing, fishing and family catamaran for a cruise across surf breaks, brush up on local ITINERARY | BURLEIGH HEADS SURFERS PARADISE barbecues year round. Camp waterfront at the the Broadwater with champagne surf etiquette and join the line up Experience a day in the coastal Missing the beach at Surfers Paradise is like going Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park. in hand and the skyline in the pursuing the perfect wave. village like a local. to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. By day, stop distance. @syc1946 by for a photo under the iconic sign, get yourself an PALM BEACH FROM BARRELS TO BREWS SOAK IN SURF CULTURE SUNRISE AT STRADBROKE ice cream and settle in for the afternoon. By night, In Palmie, the beach is almost being overshadowed How two former surfing world A local shaper lists his immerse yourself in the bustling nightlife. by its reputation as a foodie haunt (we did say Enjoy a secluded island sunrise at champions, Mick Fanning and Joel favourite Gold Coast surf hangouts. ‘almost’). If you love diving, heading out to the Palm with only Parkinson and their mates took COOLANGATTA Beach Reef is non-negotiable. Work up a hunger, a soft sea breeze and a pod of on the craft beer movement... and THINGS TO DO Bare feet, salty skin, curling waves and boundless becase a trip to Palmie isn’t complete without a stop dolphins for company. won. @balterbrewers A list to keep you and your tribe beach days are what await you in Cooly. Get barrelled at The Collective. entertained on a beach holiday. on the Superbank, hire a beach cruiser bike, grab a DestinationGoldCoast.com/Surf INTERVIEW WARREN YOUNG Ask any local about Warren and they’ll tell you he’s the Gold Coast’s very own version of a super hero. For more than 44 years he has served the Gold Coast as our Chief Lifeguard, and has spearheaded beach safety across the largest professional lifeguard service in Australia. At the age of 68, Warren HAYLEY BATEUP SEAN SCOTT TREVOR HENDY is fighting fit, actively participating in patrols A born and bred local synonymous One of Australia’s most talented Trevor is a true icon of our city. and lifeguard fitness assessments with with our surf lifesaving culture, and well-known photographers, Starting as a nipper when he was Hayley is a legendary iron woman Sean has spent the best part just eight years old, Trevor went our younger lifeguards – it’s hard to keep with more than 18 gold medals of the last 15 years travelling on to win six Australian Ironman him away from the ocean! A Life Member to her name. A proud member the globe to capture mother Champs, four Uncle Toby’s Series of Miami Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, The of the Mermaid Surf Club and nature’s finest moments. But it’s and was even welcomed into Australian Professional Ocean Lifeguard three-time Coolangatta Gold this patch of paradise that he the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Association and Gold Coast Tourism, Warren champion, Hayley is in the know loves to call home, as it gives For decades he dominated when it comes to the city’s stretch him endless inspiration for his Australian beaches. Today, Trevor is the epitome of a local legend. of coastline. She now runs a health photography work, from our is still actively involved with our and fitness business – Hayley unspoiled coastline and epic surf community as President of the Bateup’s Body Blitz – to help locals breaks to our fascinating marine Surfers Paradise SLSC and a;sp achieve their own health and life and dreamy hinterland. Sean’s runs a successful health and STUART SMITH wellness goals and make the most work can be found in the homes wellness coaching business that of our coastal lifestyle. and hearts of many Australians, inspires and motivates positivity. Shaping since 1985, Stuart of as well as his flagship gallery at Video available for download. his eponymous surfboard brand Stuart Surf Burleigh Heads. Interview and knows a thing or two about where to find the video available for download. perfect barrel and beach break. A renowned local shaper who lives less than 100 metres from the sand, he can usually be found LIZ CANTOR cruising the coastline in search of his next Most mornings start the same for local media personality and TV wave. When he’s not getting wet, Stuart is presenter Liz Cantor – a surf check from her living room window, a run along the beach, and a dip in the ocean. A former professional surfer who refining his surfboard designs in his Mermaid travelled the world for iconic surf brand , Liz epitomizes what it Beach studio and store. Stuart has made means to be a Gold Coaster, living and breathing our laidback, coastal all of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth culture. Today Liz is a well known and much-loved television presenter. Games surfboards that will be supplied to Liz’s video, Introduction to Broadbeach is available for download. corporate partners and endorsed athletes and happens to be the current State Surfing champion for the Over 50’s division.

DestinationGoldCoast.com/Surf