Big turns and big scores were the order of the day at the Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres by D'Blanc as competition mowed through its second day.
Holly Wawn was pretty chuffed with her performance on the second day of competition. - WSL / Ethan Smith
As a previous event champion - taking out the Vissla Great Lakes Pro back in 2016 - Holly Wawn showed that she still possesses the skills to post impressive heat wins, taking out her opening heat. Wawn found a handful of little left handers, to notch up a respectable 13.25 two-wave heat total and move onto the second round.
"It's always a nice feeling to get the first heat out of the way," said Wawn. "There were a few fun little rights out there and while they didn't have an insane amount of power, they were still fun. I'm looking forward to the next round."
Holly Wawn won the Great Lakes Pro in 2016 and is in the hunt for another victory in 2018. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Central Coast native and 2016 WSL Australasian Qualifying Series champion Shane Holmes made his intentions clear when he demolished his Round Two heat, posting a giant 18.35 two-wave heat total, the highest of the event so far. Holmes' score consisted of two excellent scoring waves (eight and above), including a near-perfect 9.60 for a combination of giant snaps and carves. Holmes will now meet Timothee Bisso, Kyuss King and Toy Tanaka in Round Three.
"That felt really good," said Holmes. "I spent a solid chunk of 2017 injured so it's a really nice to get back into the rhythm of surfing heats again. The right-handers out there were actually really fun, so hopefully, they continue over the next day or so."
Powerhouse Shane Holmes posted an 18.35 heat total in his Round Two heat. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Having been in Australia since the World Junior Championship in January, South African Ford Van Jaarsveldt, has taken a liking to the punchy east coast beach breaks. Van Jaarsveldt made a solid impression in the second round when he performed an array of frontside snaps, carves and aerials to post a decent 14.25 two-wave heat total and take the heat out.
"I'm pretty stoked to get that win. I had a pretty tough loss when I was in the Carve Pro in Maroubra, so it felt good to turn it around," said Van Jaarsveldt. "I've just been loving my time in Australia and how nice the water is. I live in Cape Town and the water is usually freezing, so it feels good to compete in the warmth with fun waves."
Madisson Poole finding some shade from the harsh Aussie summer sun. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the recent Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro, Luke Hynd carried the same confidence into the second round at Boomerang today. Hynd synced his backhand attack with the playful right-handers on offer to post a series of solid scores, which allowed him to take out the heat with a 14.40 heat total.
"You're only as good as your last heat, so I knew I needed to get another heat win under my belt," said Hynd. "My gameplan was to just catch two sets and make sure they counted and thankfully it worked. My boards feel great at the moment so it's filled me with a bit of confidence. Hopefully I can keep the ball rolling."
Luke Hynd winning Heat 2 of Round 1 at the 2018 VIssla Great Lakes Pro pres. by DBlanc. - WSL / Ethan Smith
Shane Holmes and Holly Wawn Raise the Bar at Boomerang
Tom Bennett
Big turns and big scores were the order of the day at the Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres by D'Blanc as competition mowed through its second day.
As a previous event champion - taking out the Vissla Great Lakes Pro back in 2016 - Holly Wawn showed that she still possesses the skills to post impressive heat wins, taking out her opening heat. Wawn found a handful of little left handers, to notch up a respectable 13.25 two-wave heat total and move onto the second round.
"It's always a nice feeling to get the first heat out of the way," said Wawn. "There were a few fun little rights out there and while they didn't have an insane amount of power, they were still fun. I'm looking forward to the next round."
Central Coast native and 2016 WSL Australasian Qualifying Series champion Shane Holmes made his intentions clear when he demolished his Round Two heat, posting a giant 18.35 two-wave heat total, the highest of the event so far. Holmes' score consisted of two excellent scoring waves (eight and above), including a near-perfect 9.60 for a combination of giant snaps and carves. Holmes will now meet Timothee Bisso, Kyuss King and Toy Tanaka in Round Three.
"That felt really good," said Holmes. "I spent a solid chunk of 2017 injured so it's a really nice to get back into the rhythm of surfing heats again. The right-handers out there were actually really fun, so hopefully, they continue over the next day or so."
Having been in Australia since the World Junior Championship in January, South African Ford Van Jaarsveldt, has taken a liking to the punchy east coast beach breaks. Van Jaarsveldt made a solid impression in the second round when he performed an array of frontside snaps, carves and aerials to post a decent 14.25 two-wave heat total and take the heat out.
"I'm pretty stoked to get that win. I had a pretty tough loss when I was in the Carve Pro in Maroubra, so it felt good to turn it around," said Van Jaarsveldt. "I've just been loving my time in Australia and how nice the water is. I live in Cape Town and the water is usually freezing, so it feels good to compete in the warmth with fun waves."
Fresh off a runner-up finish at the recent Mothernest Tweed Coast Pro, Luke Hynd carried the same confidence into the second round at Boomerang today. Hynd synced his backhand attack with the playful right-handers on offer to post a series of solid scores, which allowed him to take out the heat with a 14.40 heat total.
"You're only as good as your last heat, so I knew I needed to get another heat win under my belt," said Hynd. "My gameplan was to just catch two sets and make sure they counted and thankfully it worked. My boards feel great at the moment so it's filled me with a bit of confidence. Hopefully I can keep the ball rolling."
Vissla Great Lakes Pro pres by D'Blanc
All of the final Day action from the 2018 Vissla Great Lakes Pro pre. By D'Blanc
Baker wins his second QS 1,000 in a week, while Wawn backs up her 2016 Great Lakes victory with another in 2018.
The stakes rose on the fourth day of competition.
It's been another amazing day of competition at Boomerang with groundbreaking performances and upsets galore.
Vissla Great Lakes Pro Day 3
News
Jett Schilling's event-winning 9.73, plus a 9.50 in the Semifinals, another 9 from Taro Watanabe and explosive surfing from local hero
Jett Schilling Soars in Comeback Fashion to Claim QS 1000 Victory in Pumping Conditions
With Taro Watanabe pushing Jett Schilling to a 9.53 requirement, Schilling took to the air for a massive alley-oop and scored a 9.73 to
Soleil Errico teamed up with Traveller Surf Club (@traveller_surf_club) to host an invitational pro coaching workshop for the young rising
Taro Watanabe bagged himself two separate 9-point rides before Jett Schilling posted a 9.93 in the final heat of the Round of 16 to add