- WSL / Tom Bennett
- WSL / Tom Bennett
Day 2 at the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro The men's bank down the beach was pretty good on day 2 aswell. - WSL / Tom Bennett

While the women surfed on the northern bank at Birubi, a group of Australia's best male competitors were doing battle just down the beach for the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro pres. By Newcastle Airport Men's QS 1,000.

Dean Bowen revelled in the strong beachbreaks, punching out a handful of giant backside snaps to claim his two opening heats in the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro pres. by Newcastle Airport. Bowen amassed two heat totals of 15.94 and 17.34 to cement a spot in the round of 12 tomorrow.

Dean Bowen won his Round 1 Heat at the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro pres. by Newcastle Airport. Dean Bowen tearing on his backhand. - WSL / Ethan Smith

"The waves have been really fun here at Birubi," said Bowen. "I haven't had the best competitive year ever, but I've got a couple of really good boards that feel awesome and hopefully I can keep the ball rolling into tomorrow."

Fresh off a victory at the recent Phillip Island Pro Jacob Willcox carried his momentum into the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro pres. by Newcastle Airport. Willcox smashed out a variety of giant backhand turns to take the win in the first heat of the day. Willcox backed it up with a second place finish and will make his next appearance in the third round.

Jacob Willcox won her Round 1 Heat at the Port Stephens Toyota NSW Pro. Jacob Willcox belting a Birubi end section. - WSL / Ethan Smith

"Following the Phillip Island event, I'm pretty pumped to get another decent result," said Willcox. "The first heat of the day felt awesome and the waves definitely delivered. Hopefully they continue to cooperate and I can keep this going."

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