All Episodes

May 10, 2025 18 mins

Learn more at TheCityLife.org

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Philippe Toledo bra and Bettelo Sakura Johnson ho have won the
2025 Bonsai Gold Coast Pro presented by GWM stop number six
on the 2025 World Surf League WSL Championship Tour CT.
The pier put on incredible performances on finals day in
front of 10s of thousands of fans who line the famous surfing

(00:22):
headland for the first time in over 2 decades.
The iconic Burly Heads crowned 2Championship Tour event winners
as the birth place of head to head surfing turned unclean. 3
to 4 foot surf Vetalo Sakura Johnson claims maiden CT victory
Vetalo Sakura Johnson Hawk claimed her maiden CT win today

(00:44):
at Burley Heads, overcoming CT veteran Sally Fitzgibbons AUS in
the final. Sakura Johnson came into the
Gold Coast event sitting in 13thplace on the rankings and in
desperate need of a massive result here to move above the
mid season cut line ahead of Margaret River.
After back-to-back quarterfinal finishes, the 20 year old

(01:07):
Hawaiian looked primed to take the next step and it was on show
from her opening round heat as she posted some of the highest
heat totals of each round all the way to the final where she
eventually claimed the biggest result of her career.
This is the best feeling in the world.
Sakura Johnson said. I'm over the moon to have my

(01:28):
first win here on the Gold Coast.
This is what winning feels like and I want to keep winning.
I'm super stoked to get this feeling and I'm so grateful for
everything. It's taken a lot, so much hard
work and a lot of patience and perseverance to put everything
together. This year was a really hard year

(01:49):
for me dealing with injuries anda whole bunch of other things,
but super happy to just pull it together.
After only just making it through her semi final against
2025 CT rookie Vahini Fiero, FRAJohnson came out swinging,
posting an 8.50 out of a possible 10 on her first ride,

(02:11):
then continued to post mid rangescores until ending on a two
wave total of 15.33 out of a possible 20.
Her front side rail game was theperfect match for the fast down
the line walls at Burley. Fitzgibbons, who was in form all
day, seemed to lose rhythm with the ocean, leaving Johnson to

(02:33):
cruise to a comfortable win and Rocket 7 places up the rankings
to number six in the world. I really wanted to just enjoy it
all Sakura Johnson continued. Soak in the moment.
And yeah, just know that I can do it and trust myself in the
abilities once I get the chance to get the wave.

(02:55):
But yeah, I'm so happy. Philippe Toledo repeats history
on the Gold Coast. A decade later, Philippe Toledo
BRA has repeated his inaugural CT win over Julian Wilson AUS.
In an exact rematch of the 2015 Gold Coast Pro final, the
Brazilian once again claimed victory over the Australian.

(03:19):
Today S win marked the 16th CT victory of Toledo S career,
moving him further up the rankings of the men S all time
winners list to number 10. After becoming the first
Brazilian to win back-to-back world titles in 2022 and 2023,
Toledo decided to take the 2024 season off to spend more time

(03:40):
with his young family who today celebrated his son S birthday.
The return to tour in 2025 has been notably sluggish for the 30
year old, with only one previousquarter final notch this season.
An excellent round of 32 performance in this event turned
the page on Toledo S rhythm and he continued to push the

(04:02):
boundaries, peaking with the 14th 10 point ride of his career
in the semifinals for a jaw-dropping barrel to Ali OOP
combo. The wind shot Toledo a full 5
places up the rankings to sit one place shy of the top five as
world number six. First of all, I just want to
thank God to bring me back here,Toledo said.

(04:26):
I took the year off to take careof myself, to take care of my
family, just like Julian Wilson did, you know?
But I came back a little earlierthan him.
It was definitely hard to get back and get going with all the
surfers, everyone so in tune, soready for anything.

(04:46):
I was like, man, I've got to getback again, you know?
And it feels damn good to be back.
The Men S final opened with fireworks and did not let up
with Wilson and Toledo going blow for a blow in an extremely
competitive final. An opening full rotation air
reverse from Toledo was met withtwo variations of a slob grab

(05:08):
air reverse from Wilson in consecutive waves, giving the
Australian an early advantage, but Toledo was only just getting
started. A long barrel to Giant hack
earned an 8.53 before an aggressive two turn combo
collected a 9.07. Wilson responded by improving on

(05:29):
both of his scores, posting 2 excellent 8 point rides of his
own, but his second of the two fell short of the requirement,
leaving Toledo victorious. It was just a lot of fire, you
know. Toledo continued the rematch
again after so many years, what,10 years?

(05:49):
Sharing the final again here on the Gold Coast.
The crowds are amazing, all the Aussies, all the Brazilians,
we're just super competitive. Me, Jules, everyone that's on
tour, you know, we want to win so bad.
Every time we're in a final, as Julian said, it just brings the

(06:12):
fire out of us and both of us are now being dads with kids to
the families. It was so funny looking back,
just us like way younger and trying to go after our dreams
and now we're here with beautiful families.
Wild Card Julian Wilson reaffirmed CT prowess A month

(06:34):
after announcing his return to competition on the Challenger
Series. Julian Wilson AUS has concluded
a dream run on the Gold Coast with the runner up finish in the
event where he first made the final in 2015 and one in 2018.
Wilson last appeared on the CT in 2021, withdrawing after the

(06:55):
5th event of the pandemic affected season in order to
spend more time with his family.Having never officially retired,
the 2018 world title runner up had long considered returning to
the CT, plans which were recently made firm with a wild
card into the season S Challenger Series draw.
Wilson never imagined that an opportunity to compete in the

(07:18):
trials for the Gold Coast Pro would turn into the
accomplishment that it has, but is taking it as a strong
encouragement as he re engages with his passion for competing.
First and foremost, thank you the WSL for giving me just a
chance, Wilson said. To convert it into what it's
turned into has been a very memorable experience for me.

(07:42):
The fans, the support that I've received coming back has been
quite emotional. So thank you everyone for the
support. It's not easy to step away from
the thing you love to priorities, your family and
watch from the sidelines. These surfers inspire me so
much. This is what I was born to do.

(08:03):
My kids got to share it this week.
It's been super, super special. So, yeah, just super gracious
for this opportunity and thanks to my sponsors.
Thanks to my wife for getting meback here and dragging the kids
down with me every day, rain, hail or shine.
But yeah, enough about me. Congratulations to Philippe

(08:26):
Toledo. The Brazilian crowd got me so
fired up out there today. And from the bottom of my heart,
I love you guys. Veteran Fitzgibbons finds first
final since 2021 Australian surfing legend and CT veteran
Sally Fitzgibbons AUS today claimed her biggest result in

(08:46):
four years, finishing runner up at the Bonsai Gold Coast Pro.
The 17 year veteran of the Tour has struggled with consistency
in the last few years and comes into the mid season cut this
year facing potential relegation.
The former Gold Coast event finalist came into this week
needing to final to give herselfa chance ahead of the WA

(09:09):
Margaret River Pro, and she pulled on all of her experience
throughout the event to find herself in the last heat of the
competition on her way to the final.
Fitzgibbons took down the InformIsabella Nichols AUS in the
quarter final and the 2025 courtrookie Aaron Brooks can in the
semifinals, but fell short of claiming her maiden Gold Coast

(09:31):
CT victory. I wanted to get it together so
bad in that final. Fitzgibbons said.
It's been a fight and a grind the last few years, but I really
want to be here and my deep desire is to keep surfing for
this country, for all you guys, my family down here, my friends.

(09:51):
This means the world to me and Ijust want to fight for it.
It was nearly the best birthday present for my dad down there,
but today was Betty's day. Gold Coast royalty put on a show
at Burly Heads earlier in the day.
Two of the Gold Coast S favoritesons and Australia S biggest

(10:12):
sporting icons, Mick Fanning AUSand Joel Parkinson AUS hit the
line up at Burley Heads for a fully judged Heritage Heat.
It was their first match up for scores since 2017 and the
competitiveness between the two good friends hadn't he gone
anywhere. With the low tide conditions

(10:32):
making the Burley line up harderto navigate, the pair of World
champions with a pair of Gold Coast Pro titles each were
always going to put on a show and that's exactly what they
did. Parkinson, known for his ability
to find tubes, did exactly that on his opening few waves but
struggled to come out. Fanning opted for turns to build

(10:56):
momentum and it looked to be thesmarter course of action.
This was until Parkinson found back-to-back set waves and went
to town, posting an excellent heat total of 16.83 for his
timeless and effortless tube riding.
And Carves Fanning managed one solid score but never found a
backup, leaving the 2012 world champion to take the win and

(11:20):
hold bragging rights until the next time they meet.
I wouldn't call that on fire. A couple of good waves that we
turned into pretty bad waves by the end of it.
Parkinson joked. But that was fun, you know, it's
like surfing for me. And I guess Mick Fanning too, is

(11:40):
just about us enjoying it. That was enjoyable.
It was fun. It wasn't really fireworks, but
yeah, it was a lot of fun. The event has definitely had its
moments where especially yesterday afternoon we saw some
really good surfing, Fanning said.

(12:02):
I think probably the highlight is watching Julian Wilson making
the comeback. It's been really exciting.
We competed with Jules on tour and you know, good friends, so
it's awesome to see him come back and hopefully he does
really well in the quarterfinals.

(12:22):
Stephanie Gilmore AUS face the second intergenerational
superheat of her wild card run when she came up against rookie
phenom Aaron Brooks can the eight time world champion.
Gilmore had already defeated reigning world champion Katy
Simmers USA in the round of 16, but this time the momentum was

(12:42):
on the side of the younger generation with 17 year old
Brooks putting 37 year old Gilmore into combination by heat
S and the undisputed queen of Australian point breaks.
Gilmore S timeless style and Flosaw her post 2 scores in the
seven point range, however the impeccable technique of the

(13:03):
critical backhand hits put up byBrooks landed the Canadian an
8.33 followed by a 9.43 which matched her own event high
single wave score for the women.Brooks went on to be defeated by
Sally Fitzgibbons AUS, but the points gained from her second
semi final finish of the year pushed her two places up the

(13:24):
rankings to world #8 ahead of the last remaining event prior
to the mid season cut. That heat was so crazy.
I'm so lucky that I was able to surf against Steph Gilmore,
Brooks said. I've looked up to her my whole
life and right when I got on tour, her and Carissa Moore kind
of took time off, which is fair because they put in so much

(13:46):
effort to this sport. But I was like, no, I want to
surf against you guys. So I was really happy that she
joined this event and she's beencrushing it, but I'm just glad
to get the win off of her because she's so amazing.
For more highlights from the Bonsai Gold Coast Pro presented
by GWM, please visit worldsurfleague.com.

(14:10):
Bonsai Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWMNS final results One
Philippe Toledo BRA 17.602 Julian Wilson AUS 17.20 Von Soy
Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Women S final results one

(14:31):
Vettelo Sakura Johnson HA 15.332Sally Fitzgibbons AUS 7.83 Von
Soy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWM Men S semifinal results Heat
one Philippe Toledo BRA 17.67 Def Alley Home Eunice BRA 14.07

(14:54):
Heat 2 Julian Wilson AUS 15.60 deaf Kanoa Igarashi JPN 14.90
Von Soy Gold Coast Pro Presentedby GWM Women S semifinal results
heat 1 Vetalo Sakura Johnson Hot12.33 deaf Vahine Fiero Fras

(15:16):
7.00 Heat 2 Sally Fitzgibbons AUS 11.17 deaf Aaron Brookskin
9.40 Von Soy Gold Coast Pro Presented by GWMNS quarterfinal
results Heat One Philippe ToledoBRA 15.83 deaf Yago Dora brought

(15:39):
11.90. Heat 2 Ollie home Eunice brought
13.43 deaf Morgan Sibilic AUS 8.97 Heat 3 Julian Wilson AUS
14.10 deaf Miguel Pupo bra 9.40 Heat 4 Kanoa Igarashi JPN 14.34

(16:04):
deaf Jordy Smith RSA 13.84 bonsai Gold Coast Pro presented
by GWM women S quarterfinal results.
Heat 1 Vahini Fiero frat 12.83 deaf.
Luanna Silva brought 10.83 Heat 2 Vetalo Sakura Johnson HA 15.33

(16:27):
deaf. Molly Pickleum AUS 13.37 Heat 3
Aaron Brooks, CAN 17.76 deaf. Stephanie Gilmore, AUS 14.27.
Heat 4 Sally Fitzgibbons AUS 14.47 Deaf Isabella Nichols AUS

(16:49):
12.60 Next stop WA Margaret River Pro The WSL Championship
Tour will next head to the WA Margaret River Pro for stop #7,
which will hold a competition window from May 17th to 27th
2025. The event will be broadcast live

(17:12):
on worldsurfleague.com and the free WSL app.
Check out more ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast
partners dot. The Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
presented by GWM is proudly supported by Bonsoy Tourism
Events, Queensland Experience, Gold Coast, GWM, Yeti, Surfline,

(17:34):
Red Bull True Surf, Apple Watch,Stone and Wood, Oakberry
Hydrolyte, Burly Pavilion, MOP High, Bioglen Boost Mobile, Bond
University, Coastal Real Estate,Florence Marine X Visla, Fat
Boy, ICSNS Group, Ultimate Airs,Gold Coast Bulletin, CFM, Triple

(18:01):
M and Surfboard Empire. For more information, please
visit worldsurfleague.com. About the WSL The World Surf
League WSL is the global home ofcompetitive surfing, crowning
World champion since 1976 and showcasing the world S best

(18:22):
surfing. The WSL overseas Surfing S
global competitive landscape andsets the standard for elite
performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports.
With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the
protection of the ocean, equality and the sport S rich

(18:42):
heritage while championing progression and innovation.
For more information, please visit worldsurfleague.com.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

24/7 News: The Latest
Therapy Gecko

Therapy Gecko

An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing. TO CALL THE GECKO: follow me on https://www.twitch.tv/lyleforever to get a notification for when I am taking calls. I am usually live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays but lately a lot of other times too. I am a gecko.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.