2012 Breaka Burleigh Pro - Day 1

The 2012 Breaka Burleigh Pro got off to great start in fun 2 - 3 (1.5 meter) foot surf in what was a classic Gold Coast summer's day at Burleigh Heads today. The first event on the 2012 Australian leg of the ASP World Tour, the ASP 4-Star rated Breaka Burleigh Pro offers vital points and prize money for surfers looking to jump up the ASP World Rankings.

Chris Friend (AUS) stamped his authority on this event posting two scores in the 8-point-range, earning the highest heat total of the event thus far. Friend picked off the best waves of the set and lit them up with a series of sharp turns and snaps.

Kolohe Andino (USA), the 17-year-old Californian with a big reputation for busting big airs didn't disappoint the mass of onlookers, as he launched and landed multiple aerials to easily take the win and progress to the next round.

Mateia Hiquily (PYF) and local Gold Coaster Blake Ainsworth (AUS) put on a show with an exciting back-and-forth battle, with the young Tahitian taking the win with Ainsworth also advancing into the next round in 2nd place.

Mark Mathews (NSW), who's made a reputation for himself surfing some of the biggest and heaviest waves on the planet, today showed he's also got what it takes in the small stuff.