Bells rang loudly in Victoria on the last stop of the WSL Championship Tour thanks to the Australian duo of Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson who both claimed their first victory of the season. Now, the WSL continues its run down under at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in Queensland for the first time since 2019, where Caroline Marks and Italo Ferreira lead the pre-event odds.
As surfers approach the penultimate event before the mid-season cut, they’ll be aiming to lock in their spots and rise in the rankings – much like Jack Robinson, whose victory at Bells Beach propelled him from ninth to third overall in the Championship Tour. Heading into Burleigh Heads, seven male riders and two female riders have made it through the mid-season cut.
Go beyond just watching the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts and promos designed for surfing fans.
Schedule and How to Watch WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
Championship Tour surfers paddle out for the second time in Australia in 2025 on Friday, May 2nd. The alarm is set for the first call at 2 PM PDT. Surfing will run until Tuesday, May 13th, when we find out if Italo Ferreira and Caroline Marks can defend their 2019 titles at the legendary Burleigh Heads. The Burleigh Point break is a world-class right-hand wave that runs over a mix of sand and lava rock formation, demanding surfers to draw on their full range of skills and surf knowledge to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
North American fans can catch every ride on this right-hand point break on ESPN or ESPN+. Coverage of the quarterfinals and beyond will run on the WSL website or ESPN+.
2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Odds
Event Winner
Surfer
Event Winner
$20 Payout
2025 WSL Ranking
Italo Ferreira
+452
$110.40
1
Ethan Ewing
+578
$135.60
2
Filipe Toledo
+675
$155.00
11
Jack Robinson
+700
$160.00
3
Yago Dora
+1144
$248.80
4
Italo Ferreira (+452)
Italo Ferreira rides into the Gold Coast as the series leader, but after a 17th place finish at Bells Beach, his lead has shrunk dramatically. He now sits just under 5,000 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Ethan Ewing. Ferreira had his toughest event of the year in Victoria, losing out to Xavier Huxtable in the round of 32. Outside of his win here in 2019, Ferreira hasn’t had the greatest record in the Gold Coast. He will look to find his second win of the season over the next 11 days to defend his title.
Ethan Ewing (+578)
Australian Ethan Ewing, ranked second in the series, is looking to break through in his home country after losing out in the quarterfinals in Victoria to finalist Kanoa Igarashi. So far in this campaign Ewing has secured two semifinals and two quarterfinals. The 26 year old is looking for his first trophy since the Bells Beach event in 2023.
Filipe Toledo (+675)
Filipe Toledo is still looking for his form after missing the 2024 WSL season due to injury. His best finish this year was a 5th at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and he has coupled that with three 9th places with his worst finish being 17th in El Salvador. Although the season hasn’t been stellar, Toledo returns to a place where he won in 2015.
Jack Robinson (+700)
Jack Robinson produced his stop of the season so far in his home country ringing the bell ecstatically at the 62nd Bells Beach Pro. The Australian hasn’t competed at the Gold Coast on the WSL Championship Tour, but he is looking to ride his momentum from Bells Beach to secure his second win of the season at Burleigh Heads.
Yago Dora (+1144)
The goofy stance of Yago Dora has struggled at this event in his two previous editions, progressing only as far as the round of 16. Dora showed his class three rounds ago in Portugal, winning the MEO Rip Curl Pro, but he has been trending in the wrong direction placing 5th and 9th in the last two rounds respectively. The Brazilian is looking to get past the Round of 16 where he lost to Jake Marshall by a mere .39 points at Bells Beach.
Expert Pick: 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
After five events, it’s hard to bet against Italo Ferreira. Even though he finished 17th in the first Australian event of 2025, Ferreira will be looking to bounce back and claim his second win of the season while defending his 2019 Gold Coast trophy. At +452, a $20 bet will pay $110.40 for the Brazilian to lift the trophy.
Men’s Heat Odds
Heat 1
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Kanoa Igarashi
+118
$43.60
Ryan Callinan
+152
$50.40
Marco Mignot
+308
$81.60
Heat 2
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
George Pittar
+363
$92.60
Jordy Smith
-129
$35.50
Imaikalani deVault
+211
$62.20
Heat 3
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Yago Dora
-176
$31.36
Edgard Groggia
+513
$122.60
Jackson Bunch
+235
$67.00
Heat 4
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Alan Cleland
+380
$96.00
Jack Robinson
-199
$30.05
Callum Robson
+342
$88.40
Heat 5
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Jordan Lawler
+522
$124.40
Joao Chianca
+129
$45.80
Ethan Ewing
-101
$39.80
Heat 7
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Barron Mamiya
+105
$41.00
Seth Moniz
+122
$44.40
Deivid Silva
+516
$123.20
Heat 8
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Connor O’leary
+245
$69.00
Ian Gentil
+274
$74.80
Leonardo Fioravanti
-119
$36.81
Heat 9
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Miguel Pupo
+161
$52.20
Alejo Muniz
+456
$111.20
Matthew Mcgillivray
-116
$37.24
Heat 10
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Rio Waida
+167
$53.40
Samuel Pupo
+268
$73.60
Cole Houshmand
+120
$44.00
Heat 11
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Filipe Toledo
-123
$36.26
Ian Gouveia
+460
$112.00
Griffin Colapinto
+170
$54.00
Heat 12
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Joel Vaughan
+295
$79.00
Jake Marshall
+189
$57.80
Crosby Colapinto
+100
$40.00
Men’s H2H Odds
Surfer
H2H Odds
Payout on $20
Italo Ferreira
-143
$33.99
Ethan Ewing
+107
$41.40
Griffin Colapinto
+106
$41.20
Yago Dora
-140
$34.29
Filipe Toledo
-177
$31.30
Jack Robinson
+132
$46.40
Joao Chianca
-109
$38.35
Leonardo Fioravanti
-121
$36.53
Kanoa Igarashi
+113
$42.60
Jordy Smith
-150
$33.33
2025 WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Women’s Odds
Event Winner Odds
Surfer
Event Winner
$20 Payout
2025 WSL Ranking
Caroline Marks
+302
$80.40
6
Caitlin Simmer
+587
$137.40
2
Molly Picklum
+620
$144.00
3
Gabriela Bryan
+670
$154.00
1
Tyler Wright
+740
$168.00
5
Caroline Marks (+302)
After her success in Portugal, we had high expectations for Caroline Marks in La Libertad and Bells Beach, but she bowed out in the round of 16 in both events, losing to Isabella Nichols and Bettylou Sakura Johnson respectively. Marks finds herself in 6th place in the women’s rankings, dropping two spots after finishing ninth place in Victoria. She will look to turn her season around at Burleigh Heads where she won in 2019 and finished 5th in 2018.
Caitlin Simmers (+587)
A round of 16 loss to Sally Fitzgibbons saw Caitlin Simmers lose the Championship lead. The 19 year old California star has been consistent this season outside of Bells Beach, finishing top five in the first four events of the 2025 campaign. She will look to win her second event of the season at Burleigh Heads and regain the top spot on the Women’s rankings.
Molly Picklum (+620)
Molly Picklum is the most consistent surfer on tour this season, making every semifinal after the first four rounds. The semifinal streak ended at Bells Beach where she finished 9th, losing to Luana Silva by 1.02 points. Molly paddles out at Gold Coast placed third in the Championship Tour and is still looking for her first win of the campaign after coming close multiple times this season.
Gabriela Bryan (+670)
Gabriela Bryan has been impressive this season with four top fives this season. The Hawaiian triumphed in El Salvador and with a fifth place at Bells Beach she finds herself at the top of the Women’s standings. The regular stanced surfer will look to take advantage of the long and high-quality right that Burleigh Heads offers.
Tyler Wright (+740)
The veteran, Tyler Wright,exited the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in the semifinals, losing out to eventual winner Isabella Nichols. The third place finish for Wright is her second best performance this campaign after winning the Pipe Pro to begin the season. Wright triumphed at Bells Beach in 2016 and 2013 and has only not progressed to the quarterfinals once in her 9 appearances here. The Australian starts with one win under the board in 2025 and is the fifth-best surfer in the Women’s Championship.
Expert Pick: Women’s WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
Two time Gold Coast winner, Tyler Wright, earns our confidence heading into Burleigh Heads. The veteran sits fifth in the standings but has experience on this wave and will look to use her hometown advantage to outsurf her competitors. Sportsbooks have Wright at +740 to win at this venue, potentially paying $740 on a $20 bet.
Women’s Heat Odds
Heat 2
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Cailtin Simmer
-115
$37.39
Luana Silva
+467
$113.40
Stephanie Gilmore
+157
$51.40
Heat 4
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Isabella Nichols
+336
$87.20
Sally Fitzgibbons
-109
$38.35
Lakey Peterson
+187
$57.40
Heat 5
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Brisa Hennessy
+164
$52.80
Tyler Wright
-119
$36.81
Vahine Fierro
+465
$113.00
Heat 6
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Caroline Marks
+145
$49.00
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
-102
$39.61
Sawyer Lindblad
+434
$106.80
Women’s H2H Odds
Surfer
H2H Odds
Payout on $20
Caroline Marks
-205
$29.76
Caitlin Simmers
+151
$50.20
Tyler Wright
-154
$32.99
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
+116
$43.20
Brisa Hennessy
-133
$35.04
Stephanie Gilmore
+100
$40.00
Bella Kenworthy
-116
$37.24
Isabella Nichols
-114
$37.54
Molly Picklum
-123
$36.26
Gabriela Bryan
-108
$38.52
Where to Bet on WSL
Italo Ferreira and Gabriela Bryan lead the standings heading into the Gold Coast, but both face fierce competition and historical challenges on this iconic wave. After two Australians won the first 2025 WSL Championship Tour event down under, can they repeat their success at Burleigh Heads? Or will the Brazilian Ferreira and Hawaiian Bryan look to extend their respective leads?
How Can I Verify if WSL Betting is Legal in My State?
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
Which Sportsbooks Offer WSL Betting?
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, CaesarsSportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
What is the Current Legal Status of Betting on the World Surf League in the US?
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
What Are the Most Popular Types of Bets for WSL Events?
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Do Sportsbooks Offer Live Betting for WSL?
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Can I Bet on WSL Events Even If My State Doesn’t Allow Sports Betting?
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Veteran surfers aged 30 and older delivered early-season comebacks on the WSL Championship Tour, reshaping the standings. Eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore returned after a two-year break. After losing opening heats at Bells and Margaret River and questioning her ability to win, she chose Snapper Rocks to prove herself and won the Gold Coast Pro at her home break. The victory was her 34th career CT win and moved her up from last place to seventh in the rankings while eliminating several top opponents.
Lakey Peterson reinforced the veterans’ resurgence by winning the Margaret River Pro, beating Erin Brooks and competitors including Caroline Marks. Peterson’s win, plus two fifth-place finishes, leaves her tied for second overall. Many rookies have underperformed so far, with Nadia Erostarbe cited as an exception.
The Gold Coast Pro was held at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and the men’s title went to Ethan Ewing, who defeated Connor O’Leary for his third CT win. After the Australian leg, Luana Silva is wearing the women’s yellow jersey, with Gabriela Bryan, Lakey Peterson, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers rounding out the women’s top five. Gabriel Medina holds the men’s yellow jersey, trailed in the top five by George Pittar, Miguel Pupo, Ethan Ewing and Samuel Pupo.
Inertia framed the Snapper Rocks results as early momentum shifts that set the stage for the debut New Zealand Pro in Raglan, scheduled for May 15–25.
A new video edit titled “Fail to Fiji” chronicles Jacob Willcox’s mental recovery after injury, competitive setbacks and narrowly missing requalification for the World Surf League Championship Tour. Filmmaker Chipo framed the six-month edit around the mental toll of Willcox’s injury and the Newcastle loss, following the Western Australian as he chased swells, tried to rediscover his “why” and ultimately traveled to Fiji to reset and reflect.
Willcox was relegated from the Championship Tour in 2024 and launched a bid to requalify for the 2026 CT. He began the campaign by winning the season’s first Challenger Series event and received a wildcard into the Margaret River Pro, where he beat fellow Australian Oscar Berry in Round One before drawing world champion Yago Dora. Judges did not uphold Dora’s interference claim in that heat, which led to heated words in the water and an alleged on-land confrontation. An injury at the US Open sidelined Willcox for several events and he later suffered an ankle tweak that required rehabilitation. After his promising start his form dipped, producing results of 9th, 25th, 49th, 33rd and 13th at subsequent events. He entered the tour’s final stop at Newcastle sitting 10th in the rankings, finished 49th there and dropped to 12th, missing the top-10 cutoff for automatic promotion back to the CT. The edit and reporting say the injury and a missed heat win in Newcastle cost him requalification.
Willcox said he struggled with “head noise” on the trip home. He chased a Pacific swell to Fiji, linked up with former CT surfer Wade Carmichael and surfed Cloudbreak. He said time in the ocean brought him peace and perspective, and the final footage of the edit is intended to remind viewers why he believes he belongs on the Championship Tour. Willcox intends to return to the Challenger Series for another qualification attempt this year.
Shark sightings at professional surfing events have reignited debate over whether halted heats should be resumed or restarted, forcing officials to balance athlete safety with competitive fairness. At the World Surf League’s Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks on Saturday, a 6.5-foot shark sighting forced officials to halt Women’s Round 2, Heat 3 with about five minutes remaining while Caity Simmers, the 2024 world champion, led Vahine Fierro. WSL vice president for Tours and Competition Renato Hickel said the shark was seen within roughly 500 meters. Officials put the heat on hold under established safety protocols while they and the water safety team monitored conditions.
Organizers clarified the interrupted heat would be “resumed” rather than re-surfed and set a procedure that included a 6:45 a.m. call for a possible 7:05 a.m. restart the next day. The decision to schedule a possible restart prompted criticism and controversy over restart rules. The dispute centered on whether the held heat should be resumed with the remaining time or treated as a new heat under restart regulations.
When the competition resumed the following day, Caity Simmers advanced to the next round. The incident underlined an ongoing operational challenge for professional surfing events, as apex predators can temporarily halt contests and prompt on-the-spot procedural decisions that affect heat outcomes, event scheduling, and athlete preparation on the water. Officials and organizers must weigh minimizing risk to surfers against preserving competitive equity, and competitors face practical and ethical questions about how temporary shark sightings should be handled. The articles say there is no easy answer to how events should apply restart or resume rules after in-water interruptions.
The World Surf League is the universal avenue for professional surfing. It brings together top surfers and fans from around the world. Although Arkansas is not known for its waves, you can still get some surfing action through World Surf League Daily Fantasy Sports (WSL DFS). With WSL DFS, you can turn your knowledge of …
Best Bets: WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Pre-Event Odds Analysis 2025
Bells rang loudly in Victoria on the last stop of the WSL Championship Tour thanks to the Australian duo of Isabella Nichols and Jack Robinson who both claimed their first victory of the season. Now, the WSL continues its run down under at the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro in Queensland for the first time since 2019, where Caroline Marks and Italo Ferreira lead the pre-event odds.
As surfers approach the penultimate event before the mid-season cut, they’ll be aiming to lock in their spots and rise in the rankings – much like Jack Robinson, whose victory at Bells Beach propelled him from ninth to third overall in the Championship Tour. Heading into Burleigh Heads, seven male riders and two female riders have made it through the mid-season cut.
Go beyond just watching the Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro – check out our partner sportsbooks to get valuable promotions and place your WSL bets. Whether you are backing your favorite surfer or looking for an underdog, our partners offer competitive odds, special playing boosts and promos designed for surfing fans.
Schedule and How to Watch WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
Championship Tour surfers paddle out for the second time in Australia in 2025 on Friday, May 2nd. The alarm is set for the first call at 2 PM PDT. Surfing will run until Tuesday, May 13th, when we find out if Italo Ferreira and Caroline Marks can defend their 2019 titles at the legendary Burleigh Heads. The Burleigh Point break is a world-class right-hand wave that runs over a mix of sand and lava rock formation, demanding surfers to draw on their full range of skills and surf knowledge to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
North American fans can catch every ride on this right-hand point break on ESPN or ESPN+. Coverage of the quarterfinals and beyond will run on the WSL website or ESPN+.
2025 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Men’s Odds
Event Winner
Surfer
Event Winner
$20 Payout
2025 WSL Ranking
Italo Ferreira
+452
$110.40
1
Ethan Ewing
+578
$135.60
2
Filipe Toledo
+675
$155.00
11
Jack Robinson
+700
$160.00
3
Yago Dora
+1144
$248.80
4
Italo Ferreira (+452)
Italo Ferreira rides into the Gold Coast as the series leader, but after a 17th place finish at Bells Beach, his lead has shrunk dramatically. He now sits just under 5,000 points ahead of his nearest competitor, Ethan Ewing. Ferreira had his toughest event of the year in Victoria, losing out to Xavier Huxtable in the round of 32. Outside of his win here in 2019, Ferreira hasn’t had the greatest record in the Gold Coast. He will look to find his second win of the season over the next 11 days to defend his title.
Ethan Ewing (+578)
Australian Ethan Ewing, ranked second in the series, is looking to break through in his home country after losing out in the quarterfinals in Victoria to finalist Kanoa Igarashi. So far in this campaign Ewing has secured two semifinals and two quarterfinals. The 26 year old is looking for his first trophy since the Bells Beach event in 2023.
Filipe Toledo (+675)
Filipe Toledo is still looking for his form after missing the 2024 WSL season due to injury. His best finish this year was a 5th at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal and he has coupled that with three 9th places with his worst finish being 17th in El Salvador. Although the season hasn’t been stellar, Toledo returns to a place where he won in 2015.
Jack Robinson (+700)
Jack Robinson produced his stop of the season so far in his home country ringing the bell ecstatically at the 62nd Bells Beach Pro. The Australian hasn’t competed at the Gold Coast on the WSL Championship Tour, but he is looking to ride his momentum from Bells Beach to secure his second win of the season at Burleigh Heads.
Yago Dora (+1144)
The goofy stance of Yago Dora has struggled at this event in his two previous editions, progressing only as far as the round of 16. Dora showed his class three rounds ago in Portugal, winning the MEO Rip Curl Pro, but he has been trending in the wrong direction placing 5th and 9th in the last two rounds respectively. The Brazilian is looking to get past the Round of 16 where he lost to Jake Marshall by a mere .39 points at Bells Beach.
Expert Pick: 2025 Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
After five events, it’s hard to bet against Italo Ferreira. Even though he finished 17th in the first Australian event of 2025, Ferreira will be looking to bounce back and claim his second win of the season while defending his 2019 Gold Coast trophy. At +452, a $20 bet will pay $110.40 for the Brazilian to lift the trophy.
Men’s Heat Odds
Heat 1
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Kanoa Igarashi
+118
$43.60
Ryan Callinan
+152
$50.40
Marco Mignot
+308
$81.60
Heat 2
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
George Pittar
+363
$92.60
Jordy Smith
-129
$35.50
Imaikalani deVault
+211
$62.20
Heat 3
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Yago Dora
-176
$31.36
Edgard Groggia
+513
$122.60
Jackson Bunch
+235
$67.00
Heat 4
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Alan Cleland
+380
$96.00
Jack Robinson
-199
$30.05
Callum Robson
+342
$88.40
Heat 5
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Jordan Lawler
+522
$124.40
Joao Chianca
+129
$45.80
Ethan Ewing
-101
$39.80
Heat 7
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Barron Mamiya
+105
$41.00
Seth Moniz
+122
$44.40
Deivid Silva
+516
$123.20
Heat 8
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Connor O’leary
+245
$69.00
Ian Gentil
+274
$74.80
Leonardo Fioravanti
-119
$36.81
Heat 9
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Miguel Pupo
+161
$52.20
Alejo Muniz
+456
$111.20
Matthew Mcgillivray
-116
$37.24
Heat 10
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Rio Waida
+167
$53.40
Samuel Pupo
+268
$73.60
Cole Houshmand
+120
$44.00
Heat 11
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Filipe Toledo
-123
$36.26
Ian Gouveia
+460
$112.00
Griffin Colapinto
+170
$54.00
Heat 12
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Joel Vaughan
+295
$79.00
Jake Marshall
+189
$57.80
Crosby Colapinto
+100
$40.00
Men’s H2H Odds
Surfer
H2H Odds
Payout on $20
Italo Ferreira
-143
$33.99
Ethan Ewing
+107
$41.40
Griffin Colapinto
+106
$41.20
Yago Dora
-140
$34.29
Filipe Toledo
-177
$31.30
Jack Robinson
+132
$46.40
Joao Chianca
-109
$38.35
Leonardo Fioravanti
-121
$36.53
Kanoa Igarashi
+113
$42.60
Jordy Smith
-150
$33.33
2025 WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro Women’s Odds
Event Winner Odds
Surfer
Event Winner
$20 Payout
2025 WSL Ranking
Caroline Marks
+302
$80.40
6
Caitlin Simmer
+587
$137.40
2
Molly Picklum
+620
$144.00
3
Gabriela Bryan
+670
$154.00
1
Tyler Wright
+740
$168.00
5
Caroline Marks (+302)
After her success in Portugal, we had high expectations for Caroline Marks in La Libertad and Bells Beach, but she bowed out in the round of 16 in both events, losing to Isabella Nichols and Bettylou Sakura Johnson respectively. Marks finds herself in 6th place in the women’s rankings, dropping two spots after finishing ninth place in Victoria. She will look to turn her season around at Burleigh Heads where she won in 2019 and finished 5th in 2018.
Caitlin Simmers (+587)
A round of 16 loss to Sally Fitzgibbons saw Caitlin Simmers lose the Championship lead. The 19 year old California star has been consistent this season outside of Bells Beach, finishing top five in the first four events of the 2025 campaign. She will look to win her second event of the season at Burleigh Heads and regain the top spot on the Women’s rankings.
Molly Picklum (+620)
Molly Picklum is the most consistent surfer on tour this season, making every semifinal after the first four rounds. The semifinal streak ended at Bells Beach where she finished 9th, losing to Luana Silva by 1.02 points. Molly paddles out at Gold Coast placed third in the Championship Tour and is still looking for her first win of the campaign after coming close multiple times this season.
Gabriela Bryan (+670)
Gabriela Bryan has been impressive this season with four top fives this season. The Hawaiian triumphed in El Salvador and with a fifth place at Bells Beach she finds herself at the top of the Women’s standings. The regular stanced surfer will look to take advantage of the long and high-quality right that Burleigh Heads offers.
Tyler Wright (+740)
The veteran, Tyler Wright, exited the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in the semifinals, losing out to eventual winner Isabella Nichols. The third place finish for Wright is her second best performance this campaign after winning the Pipe Pro to begin the season. Wright triumphed at Bells Beach in 2016 and 2013 and has only not progressed to the quarterfinals once in her 9 appearances here. The Australian starts with one win under the board in 2025 and is the fifth-best surfer in the Women’s Championship.
Expert Pick: Women’s WSL Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro
Two time Gold Coast winner, Tyler Wright, earns our confidence heading into Burleigh Heads. The veteran sits fifth in the standings but has experience on this wave and will look to use her hometown advantage to outsurf her competitors. Sportsbooks have Wright at +740 to win at this venue, potentially paying $740 on a $20 bet.
Women’s Heat Odds
Heat 2
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Cailtin Simmer
-115
$37.39
Luana Silva
+467
$113.40
Stephanie Gilmore
+157
$51.40
Heat 4
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Isabella Nichols
+336
$87.20
Sally Fitzgibbons
-109
$38.35
Lakey Peterson
+187
$57.40
Heat 5
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Brisa Hennessy
+164
$52.80
Tyler Wright
-119
$36.81
Vahine Fierro
+465
$113.00
Heat 6
Surfer
Heat Winner
$20 Payout
Caroline Marks
+145
$49.00
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
-102
$39.61
Sawyer Lindblad
+434
$106.80
Women’s H2H Odds
Surfer
H2H Odds
Payout on $20
Caroline Marks
-205
$29.76
Caitlin Simmers
+151
$50.20
Tyler Wright
-154
$32.99
Bettylou Sakura Johnson
+116
$43.20
Brisa Hennessy
-133
$35.04
Stephanie Gilmore
+100
$40.00
Bella Kenworthy
-116
$37.24
Isabella Nichols
-114
$37.54
Molly Picklum
-123
$36.26
Gabriela Bryan
-108
$38.52
Where to Bet on WSL
Italo Ferreira and Gabriela Bryan lead the standings heading into the Gold Coast, but both face fierce competition and historical challenges on this iconic wave. After two Australians won the first 2025 WSL Championship Tour event down under, can they repeat their success at Burleigh Heads? Or will the Brazilian Ferreira and Hawaiian Bryan look to extend their respective leads?
Place your bets with our partner sportsbooks and check out our WSL Betting Guide if you’re new to the tour.
And remember—bet smart, have fun, and enjoy every wave.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Refer to your sportsbook’s eligibility requirements, terms, and conditions, or contact your state’s gaming commission to verify your state’s WSL betting legality. Most licensed betting platforms restrict access in prohibited states, saving you from the long confirmation process.
For the best WSL betting experience, select reputable, regulated sportsbooks like Fanduel, DraftKings, Caesars Sportsbook, and BetMGM. Check event schedules and relevant offers ahead of every WSL competition. Use Underdog Fantasy for Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) gaming.
The legal status of WSL betting differs from state to state. The lifting of the federal sports betting ban in 2018 (by the Supreme Court) gave states the independence to legalize sports betting. WSL betting is mostly legal in states with regulated sports betting and licensed sportsbooks like Colorado and New Jersey. Check your sportsbooks and state-specific regulations to confirm availability.
Common WSL betting options include outright winner bets, head-to-head matchups, and futures bets (predicting season champions). Most platforms also allow prop bets—for example, you can predict the highest wave score in a competition.
Yes. Betting platforms like FanDuel and BetMGM have live betting options. Their users can place bets during the WSL competition. For example, bettors can predict the next wave score, who will win the ongoing heat, or whether a competitor will achieve a given aggregate. Note that not all events may qualify for live betting. Check out your sportsbook live betting section for more.
Consider Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) if your state does not allow sports betting. Unlike traditional betting, DFS falls under a different regulatory framework, making it legal in several jurisdictions. DFS platforms like Underground Fantasy and DraftKings DFS are common in states where sports betting is illegal.
Please refer to Affiliated Operators’ T&C. Void where prohibited. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Related Posts
Steph Gilmore Wins Gold Coast Pro at Snapper, Rises to 7th
Veteran surfers aged 30 and older delivered early-season comebacks on the WSL Championship Tour, reshaping the standings. Eight-time world champion Steph Gilmore returned after a two-year break. After losing opening heats at Bells and Margaret River and questioning her ability to win, she chose Snapper Rocks to prove herself and won the Gold Coast Pro at her home break. The victory was her 34th career CT win and moved her up from last place to seventh in the rankings while eliminating several top opponents.
Lakey Peterson reinforced the veterans’ resurgence by winning the Margaret River Pro, beating Erin Brooks and competitors including Caroline Marks. Peterson’s win, plus two fifth-place finishes, leaves her tied for second overall. Many rookies have underperformed so far, with Nadia Erostarbe cited as an exception.
The Gold Coast Pro was held at Snapper Rocks on the Gold Coast and the men’s title went to Ethan Ewing, who defeated Connor O’Leary for his third CT win. After the Australian leg, Luana Silva is wearing the women’s yellow jersey, with Gabriela Bryan, Lakey Peterson, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers rounding out the women’s top five. Gabriel Medina holds the men’s yellow jersey, trailed in the top five by George Pittar, Miguel Pupo, Ethan Ewing and Samuel Pupo.
Inertia framed the Snapper Rocks results as early momentum shifts that set the stage for the debut New Zealand Pro in Raglan, scheduled for May 15–25.
Willcox rebounds after CT exit, readies Challenger bid
A new video edit titled “Fail to Fiji” chronicles Jacob Willcox’s mental recovery after injury, competitive setbacks and narrowly missing requalification for the World Surf League Championship Tour. Filmmaker Chipo framed the six-month edit around the mental toll of Willcox’s injury and the Newcastle loss, following the Western Australian as he chased swells, tried to rediscover his “why” and ultimately traveled to Fiji to reset and reflect.
Willcox was relegated from the Championship Tour in 2024 and launched a bid to requalify for the 2026 CT. He began the campaign by winning the season’s first Challenger Series event and received a wildcard into the Margaret River Pro, where he beat fellow Australian Oscar Berry in Round One before drawing world champion Yago Dora. Judges did not uphold Dora’s interference claim in that heat, which led to heated words in the water and an alleged on-land confrontation. An injury at the US Open sidelined Willcox for several events and he later suffered an ankle tweak that required rehabilitation. After his promising start his form dipped, producing results of 9th, 25th, 49th, 33rd and 13th at subsequent events. He entered the tour’s final stop at Newcastle sitting 10th in the rankings, finished 49th there and dropped to 12th, missing the top-10 cutoff for automatic promotion back to the CT. The edit and reporting say the injury and a missed heat win in Newcastle cost him requalification.
Willcox said he struggled with “head noise” on the trip home. He chased a Pacific swell to Fiji, linked up with former CT surfer Wade Carmichael and surfed Cloudbreak. He said time in the ocean brought him peace and perspective, and the final footage of the edit is intended to remind viewers why he believes he belongs on the Championship Tour. Willcox intends to return to the Challenger Series for another qualification attempt this year.
Shark Sighting at Snapper Rocks Fuels WSL Restart Debate
Shark sightings at professional surfing events have reignited debate over whether halted heats should be resumed or restarted, forcing officials to balance athlete safety with competitive fairness. At the World Surf League’s Bonsoy Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks on Saturday, a 6.5-foot shark sighting forced officials to halt Women’s Round 2, Heat 3 with about five minutes remaining while Caity Simmers, the 2024 world champion, led Vahine Fierro. WSL vice president for Tours and Competition Renato Hickel said the shark was seen within roughly 500 meters. Officials put the heat on hold under established safety protocols while they and the water safety team monitored conditions.
Organizers clarified the interrupted heat would be “resumed” rather than re-surfed and set a procedure that included a 6:45 a.m. call for a possible 7:05 a.m. restart the next day. The decision to schedule a possible restart prompted criticism and controversy over restart rules. The dispute centered on whether the held heat should be resumed with the remaining time or treated as a new heat under restart regulations.
When the competition resumed the following day, Caity Simmers advanced to the next round. The incident underlined an ongoing operational challenge for professional surfing events, as apex predators can temporarily halt contests and prompt on-the-spot procedural decisions that affect heat outcomes, event scheduling, and athlete preparation on the water. Officials and organizers must weigh minimizing risk to surfers against preserving competitive equity, and competitors face practical and ethical questions about how temporary shark sightings should be handled. The articles say there is no easy answer to how events should apply restart or resume rules after in-water interruptions.
How to Play World Surf League DFS in Arkansas
The World Surf League is the universal avenue for professional surfing. It brings together top surfers and fans from around the world. Although Arkansas is not known for its waves, you can still get some surfing action through World Surf League Daily Fantasy Sports (WSL DFS). With WSL DFS, you can turn your knowledge of …