The 2016 season opener was filled with surprises. The slew of new faces, a string of massive upsets, and of course first-time winner Matt Wilkinson and the dominant Tyler Wright blowing up. But not all the cool moments occur in heats. There's a world of activity behind the scenes, and the images captured by the WSL team usually tell plenty of story on their own. With that in mind, have a look at some of what didn't make it into the live shows.
A crowd gathers at Snapper Rocks to watch the drama unfold. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Jordy Smith, who was plagued by injuries last season, suffered a tough Round 2 loss at Snapper. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Where the magic happens -- aka, the judges' area. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Alessa Quizon before her Round 2 heat. Unfortunately, she didn't make it past that round. Photo: Kirstin - WSL
Malia Manuel, warming up. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Ace Buchan, stoic after winning his Round 2 heat. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
Mick Fanning congratulates Kolohe Andino after Round 3. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Injury replacement surfer Bronte Macaulay, before her Round 4 heat. Despite her impressive performance, she was taken down in that round by Malia Manuel. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
John John Florence suits up for Round 4. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Adriano de Souza's last-minute prayers. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Sage Erickson, in a moment of pre-heat zen. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
Snapper dark horse Stu Kennedy heading out for his Quarterfinal. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Joel Parkinson keeping it fun. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Special delivery for Tatiana Weston-Webb, who kicked off her sophomore year on tour at the Roxy Pro. Photo: Sherm - WSL
Is this the secret to her success? Roxy Pro runner-up Courtney Conlogue, communing before her Quarterfinal heat. - WSL / Kirstin
Courtney Conlogue and Sage Erickson after their Quarterfinal matchup. (Conlogue won.) Photo: Sherman - WSL
Wildcard Mikey Wright, in all his hipster glory. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Johanne Defay, ecstatic over her Quarterfinal win. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin
Stephanie Gilmore, back where she belongs. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Filipe Toledo limped away from his Semifinal, after hurting himself on failed landing. Incredibly, he kept surfing through it -- but it's not the way anyone wants to go out of a contest. - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
See you next year, Snapper. - WSL
Images from the Scene at Snapper
Curated by Anna Dimond
The 2016 season opener was filled with surprises. The slew of new faces, a string of massive upsets, and of course first-time winner Matt Wilkinson and the dominant Tyler Wright blowing up. But not all the cool moments occur in heats. There's a world of activity behind the scenes, and the images captured by the WSL team usually tell plenty of story on their own. With that in mind, have a look at some of what didn't make it into the live shows.
Roxy Pro Gold Coast
Claiming the 2016 Roxy Pro was huge but sharing the win with her brother Owen was a seminal moment in her Title year.
With a near-perfect Round Two heat at the Roxy Pro, the 6x champ set a new benchmark for women's surfing.
Os australianos Matt Wilkinson e Tyler Wright venceram a etapa e largaram na frente na corrida pelos títulos mundiais da temporada.
Two fresh faces will be rocking the Yellow Jersey at Bells Beach after an action-packed Finals day.
See how Tyler Wright made her way to the top at the first CT event of the season.
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