Summer leaves the Gold Coast with a bang this year as the worlds best surfers flock to Snapper Rocks for the Quicksilver Pro. Bringing with them hundreds of spectators crowding the shores to watch ASP’s top 34 surfers fight for the crown. But it’s ten-time world champion, Kelly Slater with his unprecedented form who wins the event. Kelly steals the title from 2010 defendant, local, Taj Burrow in a heated final. “At some point Taj had to stop getting ‘nines’ and I just picked the right heat,” Kelly congratulated him. After being named the standout throughout the competition, Burrow knocked out South African, Jordy Smith and American, Brett Simpson to secure his place in the afternoon final against Slater. After eleven days of little waves and big competition, “King Kelly” is crowned and publicly applauded as he is carried from shore to podium. 2011 finds Slater with his third Quiksilver Pro title. “I’m having a lot of fun,” Slater said in his victory speech, happy to “play” at Snapper at any time. Photographs by Bridget Ferguson & Grant Scott Text by Bridget Ferguson