As you well know, the 2014 ASP World Tour kicks off with the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast on the 1st March. With three now under his belt, will Mick kick ass on his home turf? Will the police crackdown on the number of g-bangers on the beach? And will Dane be surfing at warp speed? (Answers; maybe, no and yes). If you can’t keep a lid on your pro circus excitement, to get you to the line, here’s a selection of tasty video treats of some of the highlights over the last five years or so of the Quik Pro.

2005
Where’s Wardo: Chris Ward burst on to the ASP World Tour, making a final in his very first event. Not toning down his act, in or out of the water, his explosive and risky freesurfing in a singlet approach was a real blast of fresh air.
Highlight: In his very first heat, Wardo showed no nerves and pulled off a couple of huge aerials before going on to take out Kelly Slater in the quarterfinal.
What they said: “Wardo! Oh my God, where do we start. This man surfed unlike any pro on tour since I don’t even know when — maybe since they thought up man-on-man heats.” Surfing Magazine

2007
Mick and Kerrzy’s Heat: At the time it was described as the best heat in terms of performance surfing ever. Kerr started out with a 9.9 and had Fanning well and truly comboed, before Fanning roared back to win. Kerr’s last wave also featured a grab rail reverse nose pick thingy, one of the first ever seen in competition.
Highlight: Mick’s second wave, featuring a long tube then trademark carves, under pressure to complete the comeback.
What they said: “Maybe the best, if not the best couple of turns I’ve ever seen on tour.” Kelly Slater on Kerr’s last wave.

2007* – the very next heat though, was perhaps even better:

2009
Parko and Kirra:  Storm surf and a gutted bank had threatened to turn the event from iconic to shithouse. However on the final day, with a solid 10 foot cyclone foot swell running, and some bombs blasting down off the previously sand choked Kirra, it turned into a truly memorable day of professional surfing.
Highlight: Mainly for the semi final featuring Joel Parkinson and Mick Fanning, the two Cooly kids trading ten foot drainers off Kirra Groyne in front a huge crowd who couldn’t lose.
What they said: “The crowd is awesome. There are so many people. Down here you don’t really see it, but from the water you can see the crowd on the hill and all along Coolangatta and even down Kirra Point. I could hear them roaring…it was amazing.” Parko