Coolum Beach surfing star Julian Wilson is back on the Sunshine Coast preparing for the Olympics and his timing has been perfect with a run of solid swell.
Beachgoers at First Bay witnessed some world-class moves from the 32-year-old as impressive 2m waves rolled in from two ex-Cyclones well offshore.
Local nature photographer Pete Evans was among those to watch the 2018 world No.2 in action.
“There was good-sized swell and he was pretty much on his own out there,” Evans said.
“He was just having a good time. I was walking past to see if there were any good ospreys or eagles at Point Arkwright when I saw him leaping out of the water.
“He was doing a few jumps and 360s in the air.
“There were a few people watching. He’s always good value. Julian is a cut above the rest the way he surfs. You could see he was really good.”
Wilson relished the opportunity to catch some waves near home and try out some equipment.
“Been plenty of fun banks around,” he said via social media.
“Home sweet home and the FCS H4s (fins) are fitting in just fine.”
A world tour regular since 2011, Wilson is one of Australia’s top surfers.
He has won five elite events, including the coveted Pipe Masters, and he was runner-up in the race for the 2018 world title.
He started this season with a 17th placing in Hawaii. The second stop on the tour, also in Hawaii, was cancelled and the third event, at California, has been postponed.
Three events are set to be held in Australia – at Newcastle, Margaret River and the Gold Coast – in April and May. The World Surfing League revealed on Sunday that delays over a decision on whether it would be allowed to fly athletes into Victoria had forced organisers to bypass Bells Beach, the competition’s home for the past 60 years.
In the meantime, Wilson could compete in second tier events around Australia in February and March.
He also has his eyes on the Tokyo Games in July, and he is considered a medal contender at surfing’s Olympics debut. Wilson was selected last year.
Wilson usually spends his time Newcastle, the Sunshine Coast and world tour events. He has two children, Olivia and River, with wife Ashley.
He was one of many board riders who were out and about during the weekend, when there was significant surf up and down the Coast.
Sunshine Coast Surf Life Saving duty officer Ben Campbell said the weekend’s significant surf attracted droves of boardriders.
“So many people were getting pitted (barrelled), with up to 300 surfers at Coolum (at one time) and also at Sunshine.”
