| Ricardo dos Santos : photo Andy Larkman
SWELL and former world champion Mark Occhilupo were both welcome additions to the 4-star Burton Toyota Pro at Merewether beach in Newcastle today.
A two-time champion in Newcastle, "Occy" will surf in tomorrow morning's last heat in the round of 64, where he will meet the Sunshine Coast's Dane Bird.
A 30 knot southerly buster and accompanying rain squalls delivered 1.5 - 2 metre waves by midday, allowing half the round of 64 to be completed before organisers called a halt to proceedings at 2.50pm.
The day's weather couldn't have started any different to how it finished, with a cloudless blue sky, offshore winds and one metre waves peeling along a superb bank 500 metres to the north of Merewether point.
Day two of $US85000 event saw the completion of the remaining four heats in the round of 96, all eight heats in the round of 80, and eight heats in the man-on-man round of 64.
Michael Spencer (Lake Munmorah, NSW) surfed impressively and made it through two rounds today.
The 23-year-old natural-footer relished the bigger waves of the afternoon, and is looking to repeat the form that saw him claim the 2009 Mattara Pro at the same beach last September.
Talented Texan Chris Ward also won both his heats today, and the former world number 17 seems focused on getting the business done at the Burton Toyota Pro.
Ward experienced the unusual situation of surfing solo in a heat today when his scheduled opponent, Nathan Webster, failed to show.
It didn't bother Ward though, who took the opportunity to surf as if the heat was the last he would ever contest, racking up the day's third highest score (13.33).
Winner of last week's Employment Plus ndigenous Classic, Russell Maloney from North Entrance on the New South Wales Central Coast, was bundled out of the competition, along with local surfer Travis Lynch.
Top score of the day was shared by Aussie Chris Salisbury and the USA's Cory Arrambide (14.67), closely followed by Kiwi Matt Lewis-Hewitt (14.50) and Australian Darren O'Rafferty (13.27).
Solid waves are expected for tomorrow - just in time for the appearance of one of Australian surfing's favourite sons.
Action will recommence at the Burton Toyota Pro at 7.30am.
Click here to check out the Heat Sheets
The 2010 Burton Toyota Surfest (March 2-14) is based at Merewether beach in Newcastle, New South Wales. It has attracted more than 650 competitors from 12 different countries. The main event is the WQS 4-star $US85,000 Burton Toyota Pro (March 9 - 14).
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