Returning to Surfest in Newcastle and as we mentioned earlier Port Macquarie’s Matt Banting is through to the next round.
The 23-year-old advanced in second spot after producing a seven point three and a five point eight, to beat third placed Luel Felipe by almost four points.
Banting will face Maxime Huscenot of France, Brazil’s Rafael Teixeira and Miguel Tudela of Peru in heat eight, which is expected to hit the water on Friday.
(VISION ONLY)