Forecast: Australian Boardriders Battle // 2025 Final
Following overnight news about the WSL relocating the Gold Coast Pro to Burleigh Heads, the first question was regarding the state of the bank at Burleigh Heads. Snapper is toast, we all know that, but how did Burleigh fare in the post-Alfred wash up?
The word is, the bank is deeper but the sand is still there and the point should connect with Rock Break given enough swell. Fortunately, punters will be given a dry run of sorts, as this weekend's re-scheduled Australian Boardriders Battle is set to coincide with the first phase of an extended easterly trade-swell.
Isla Huppatz tearing her way to a win for Burleigh Boardriders last year (Surfing Australia)
The elements of the coming swell are moving into position as we speak; a large 'flat-topped' high pressure system is entering the Tasman Sea where a long easterly fetch will develop across its northern flank. The wind field will gradually increase in strength and hence build wave height from now until the weekend.
Saturday looks to start in the 2-3 feet range from the east, with clean conditions through the morning before the winds shift south-southeast and strengthen - creating bumpier surf. This should also provide building levels of swell towards 3 feet+ into the afternoon.
Sunday will be a repeat of Saturday but one notch stronger. The building trend will continue with dawn rising over 3-4 foot waves building to 4-5 foot on the sets into the afternoon. Again, it's all out of the east.
The winds will also play out similarly to Saturday with the morning offering the cleanest conditions, while the afternoon will be blustery and cross-shore.
One note on the weekend’s swell is that it will be very consistent due to the source being directly east of the Gold Coast. This is both good and bad for the ABB.
The good: With six people in the water at all times, there'll be plenty of waves to go around.
The bad: It'll make for trickier rock jumps, especially during the back end of heats when time is running out, and it'll be worse through Sunday as the swell energy builds, the finals are at stake and surfers may as well risk it.
For the event draw and live webcast, check out https://australianboardridersbattle.com
Comments
Hopefully they score, and we get a few waves in Sydney as well.
Annoying me watching the Vic cams of pumping Winki. Also annoying me how many great waves have been destroyed by either shoulder hoppers pushing it down on the guy up or paddlers scrambling for the shoulder and getting in the way - instead of paddling inside and taking it on the head. Common courtesy stuff.
Looking forward to it... Cheers for updates
The bad: It'll make for trickier rock jumps, especially during the back end of heats when time is running out, and it'll be worse through Sunday as the swell energy builds, the finals are at stake and surfers may as well risk it.
ha thats what makes it worth watching......nothing like a slippery rock jump under pressure.
yerh one of the highlights of the year, cheers swellnet.
Burleigh is a shit spot for this comp. Way too much time watching unfit surfers huff and puff running up the hill and the time it takes tear through the park and tip toe over boulders………..take a lot away from the surfing itself.
Love this event!!!! send it!!!!
Never even a simple Battle goes to plan at Burley...
Always some Burley Blowin Battler in some Bully Brawl or some shit.
How is this even possible...Huh!
Better not watch the News kids! Dad lost his Shit again...FFS!
https://beachgrit.com/2025/04/wild-scenes-at-burleigh-heads-as-alleged-s...
Hard work out at Burleigh ATM......
No land breeze this morning. Puffing light southerly since the wee hours, now gone SE with a head of steam. Gonna be a warm day and night so may be the same pattern again tomorrow morning.
Thats the main diff between Snapper and Burleigh.
SE'er blows offshore/sideshore at Snapper, it's side/onshore at Burleigh.
Love this comp. Love seeing them have to test their athleticism.
Such high calibre surfers in the mix with your everyday battler.
Big Owen still ripping at WCT level.
Bugger to see my old boardriders exit first round but good effort getting there.
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Getting hammered with the weather now…super viewing so far. I watched the first heat down at Burleigh. A good vide…lots of people out enjoying themselves.
Hog.. ouch, he’ll never live that down!
Heard them talking about him stuffing up - what happened?
Got under it.....Then 6 on the Melon ....