BURLEIGH HEADS, Queensland/Australia (Thursday, 9 February, 2012) -- The Breaka Burleigh Pro was back on today with clean 2 - 3 foot (1.5 meter) open faced waves rolling through the Burleigh Heads rock break. Conditions were almost identical to yesterday and competitors were enjoying putting on a show for their peers and the punters on the rocks. The Breaka Burleigh Pro is a 4-Star rated ASP World Tour event offering USD$95,000 prize money and valuable points towards the surfer's ASP World Rankings.
Corey Ziems (AUS) showed nerves of steel in his Round of 128 heat today. Ziems was sitting in 4th position and looking like bowing out early in his hometown event, when he caught a wave in the dying minutes and belted a couple of nice big turns that saw the judges reward him with a score that bumped him into 1st position and advance to the next round.
Dane Bird (AUS) advanced through his opening round heat in 2nd position thanks to some smooth backhand surfing. Fellow Sunshine Coaster Chris Friend suffered a shock round 2 loss.
Ellis Ericson (AUS) used his smooth style to carve out some nice turns and advance to the next round. Although Ericson doesn't compete much anymore, he admitted it felt good to be back surfing a heat.
Kolohe Andino (USA) was once again the standout performers of the day, posting the highest heat total of the event thus far 17.60 (out of a possible 20). The young Californian seemed at home in the fun surf at Burleigh Heads, unleashing carving turns and big airs.
Nick Vasicek (AUS) posted one of the day's highest wave scores an 8.33 out of a possible 10 to advance to the next round.
The Breaka Burleigh Pro is an ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals) 4-Star rated World Tour event offering USD$95,000 prizemoney.
The Breaka Burleigh Pro is proudly supported by Breaka Flavoured Milk, Events Queensland, Surfing Queensland, ASP Australasia, Channel 7, Nova 106.9fm, SEA FM, Ooh!, Australia's Surfing Life, GCCC, XXXX Summer Bright Lager, JR Surfboards, 5 and a half Sunglasses and Air Asia.