Competition Heats up Ahead of Finals Day at Avoca

The Vissla and Sisstrevolution Central Coast Pro WSL QS3,000 event saw a massive day of exciting surfing today with male and female competitors exchanging blows in pumping four-to-six foot surf.

Former CT competitior Mitch Crews is looking for a big year in 2020 and got it well underay at Avoca today. - WSL / Ethan Smith

Brisa Hennessy kept charging through the event, smashing apart the solid sections on offer throughout her round four and five heats. The natural-footer, who has been training on the Central Coast for the last fortnight, executed a solid chain of snaps and carves across her respective heats to cement her spot into tomorrow's finals.

"I felt like my last two heats haven't been smooth sailing," said Hennessy. "I had a buzzer-beater in my round four heat and in my round, five heat things didn't really go to plan at the beginning, but I think that's when you're tested as a competitor and you really need work for it."

Brisa Hennessy continued her charge towards finals day at Avoca. - WSL / Ethan Smith

Daniella Rosas joined the contingent of international standouts at Avoca, putting on a solid and rounded performance over the duration of her round five heat. Rosas put on an impressive display of surfing in the heat to post a decent 13.50 two-wave heat total to get the nod over Keala Tomoda-Bannert, Dimity Stoyle Coast, and Leilani McGonagle who finished in second, third and fourth respectively. Rosas will meet northern beaches surfer Cedar Leigh-Jones in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

"That was a super hard heat against Leilani, Dimity and Keala as all those girls surf so well, so I'm really happy to make it," said Rosas. "I was a bit nervous before that heat because it's round five and one round before the final, so I felt a bit anxious before I went out, but I felt comfortable in the conditions and I think I'm gaining more confidence with every heat."

Daniella Rosas. - WSL / ETHANSMITH

Kirra Pinkerton showed why she was a former World Junior Champion, nailing some of the biggest turns all event throughout her round four and five heats. The powerful natural-footer notched up a variety of near-perfect scores in excess of nine-points to get victories in both her heats and earn her spot into tomorrow's quarterfinals.

"I'm super excited to make finals day," said Pinkerton. "I kept looking for those lefts with the glassy faces that allow you to do one or two big turns. I noticed the rights were really fast, so I wanted waves that slowed down a little bit which I think the lefts did. When I hear that I get scores like that it makes me want to surf more and hopefully get another one in my scoreline."

Kirra Pinkerton. - WSL / Ethan Smith

Adrian Buchan showed the same skills that won him the event in its inaugural year back in 2016. The WSL World Championship Tour surfer used his backhand attack to his advantage in the heat, smashing out a handful of sizeable backhand maneuvers to get the edge over his opposition and earn his position into the quarterfinals where he'll face Jacob Willcox.

"It feels awesome to be surfing an event on home turf and I think it gives me a bit more motivation to compete," said Buchan. "It was awesome to see everyone turn up earlier in the week and see all the different competitors from different countries surfing here at Avoca. I tried to stay away from it a little bit because I knew it would use up a lot physical and mental energy, but I feel like I'm beginning to clicking into gear a bit and I'm improving every heat."

Adrian Buchan - WSL / Ethan Smith

The 2020 Vissla and Sisstrevolution Pro will run from February 25 - March 1.