A new world surfing circuit has begun, one that came with changes such as the Spanish-language broadcast, which heralds bigger changes for a circuit that will be the last of its kind (since in 2019 there will be no Pipe Masters and the tour will conclude with a select event in the Mentawais that will decide the title).

The waves were there, they took a while but every now and then a good one came in with that first tubular section and then a long wall for maneuvers.

What was not new among so many changes were the always interesting surprises, such as the current champion John John Florence losing against the rookie Griffin Colapinto, or the interference being called on Gabriel Medina, thanks to an incredible little turn by the Italian Leo Fioravanti… It can be said that the Italian gave the Brazilian a taste of his own medicine, since the latter is a born fighter when it comes to rowing for the peak.

 

That was the most talked about situation of the day... The little turn, the Hawaiian turn, the school turn, they call it in some places. Video: WSL

Or Slater not making it to his heat. The 11-time world champion explained that he had to undergo another surgery two weeks ago and if round 2 is done tomorrow, he will not be able to compete and Mikey February will go in his place, if it is done a couple of days later he will compete.

There were some surprises but the majority of the heats were won by the top ranked players: defending champion Owen Wright won, Tahitian Michel Bourez also won, as well as Jordy Smith, Julian Wilson, Italo Ferreira, Kolohe Andino, Filipe Toledo and Mick Fanning.

Among the ladies, the highlight was guest Macy Callaghan, who beat out Steph Gilmore. Sally, Carissa and Tyler advanced in first place.

These were the full results:
Heat 1: Owen Wright (AUS) 9.90, Caio Ibelli (BRA) 5.20, Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 4.57
Heat 2: Michel Bourez (PYF) 13.17, Michael Rodrigues (BRA) 11.26, Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 10.67
Heat 3: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 11.66, Conner Coffin (USA) 10.10, Patrick Gudauskas (USA) 7.64
Heat4: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.60, Joan Duru (FRA) 11.30, Ian Gouveia (BRA) 7.27
Series 5:  Italo Ferreira (BRA) 14.26, Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 8.44, Gabriel Medina (BRA) 6.05
Heat 6: Griffin Colapinto (USA) 12.50, John John Florence (HAW) 7.50, Mikey Wright (AUS) 2.00
Series 7: Kolohe Andino (USA) 9.63, Keanu Asing (HAW) 7.83, Kanoa Igarashi (USA) 5.60
Heat 8: Adrian Buchan (AUS) 10.30, Adriano de Souza (BRA) 8.67, Willian Cardoso (BRA) 8.07
Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA) 12.24, Joel Parkinson (AUS) 9.94, Yago Dora (BRA) 6.86
Series 10: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 15.56, Frederico Morais (PRT) 9.00, Tomas Hermes (BRA) 5.50
Heat 11: Connor O'Leary (AUS) 13.16, Wade Carmichael (AUS) 7.63, Sebastian Zietz (HAW) 7.46
Heat 12: Mick Fanning (AUS) 11.60, Jesse Mendes (BRA) 9.80, Kelly Slater (USA) 0.00

Ladies Round 1
Heat 1: Johanne Defay (FRA) 12.53, Lakey Peterson (USA) 11.50, Caroline Marks (USA) 9.70
Heat2: Carissa Moore (HAW) 16.16, Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) 10.50, Keely Andrew (AUS) 9.87
Heat3: Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.17, Malia Manuel (HAW) 8.60, Bianca Buitendag (ZAF) 7.90
Heat4: Macy Callaghan (AUS) 11.84, Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6.50, Bronte Macaulay (AUS) 1.27
Heat5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 12.77, Paige Hareb (NZL) 8.93, Silvana Lima (BRA) 3.63
Series6: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS), Sage Erickson (USA), Coco Ho (HAW)

And this is how the round 2 matches will be
Series 1:John John Florence (HAW) vs. Mikey Wright (AUS)
Series 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)
Series3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Series 4: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Series5: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Michael Rodrigues (BRA)
Series 6: Sebastian Zietz (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
Series 7: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Keanu Asing (HAW)
Series8: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Series 9: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Yago Dora (BRA)
Series 10: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Tomas Hermes (BRA)
Series 11: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Wade Carmichael (AUS)
Series 12: Joan Duru (FRA) vs. Jesse Mendes (BRA)

 

This was heartwarming to receive...Thank you to everyone supporting me on the Gold Coast all these years and wondering where I am right now as my heat begins at the #quikprogoldcoast2018. If round 2 men's does not run tomorrow, I will most likely make it to surf my heat. If it runs tomorrow, @mikeyfebruary will take my spot and best of luck to him. I had surgery 3-1/2 weeks ago and am not quite out of the woodwork yet. I was looking forward to having what could be our final heat together with @mfanno but I've only surfed 4 times since my latest surgery while getting work on the foot and letting it heal. If I do show, I'm not expecting my best performance but with some wave luck and tubes, I'll have some fun. Thanks to the @wsl for keeping me in the draw (as per the rules, of course). I look forward to competing again soon and back to full health hopefully in the coming months. ✌? Video courtesy of @maya_beeeee

A publication shared by Kelly Slater (@kellyslater) the Mar 10, 2018 at 8:23 am PST

People want Kelly to surf. The American is pushing for Round 2 not to take place today so he can give his foot a rest. 

Round 2 ladies
Series 1:Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
Series 2: Sage Erickson (USA) vs. Caroline Marks (USA)
Series3: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) vs. Bianca Buitendag (ZAF)
Series 4: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)
Series5: Nikki Van Dijk (AUS) vs. Keely Andrew (AUS)
Series 6: Silvana Lima (BRA) vs. Bronte Macaulay (AUS)