- WSL / Ben Stagg
- WSL / Ben Stagg

Round 2 of the men's division at the 2019 Gold Coast Open pres by Flight Centre presented By Flight Centre has run today at Burleigh Point, with 16 heats of men's as well as the remaining women's Round 1 heats. Incredibly clean and crisp 2-3ft (1.5m) waves welcomed competitors in the morning ahead of competition, along with overcast conditions and very light winds - creating some punchy, fun conditions for the day's event.

The lineup at Burleigh Heads, Queensland. A classic Burleigh Heads Lineup. - WSL / Ben Stagg

Indonesian surfer and Gold Coast resident Oney Anwar eased through his round 2 heat, scoring a 6.0 (out of a possible 10.00), backed up with a 7.0 for a total heat score of 13.00 (out of a possible 20.00). Anwar defeated Dextar Muskens, Tane Bowden and Luke Hynd respectively. Anwar managed to take to the air on multiple waves, impressing the judges and raising applause from the many spectators along Burleigh Point.

"I was reading the ocean and watching the waves for a while before my heat," said Anwar. "I definitely don't want to think too much before a heat, I just want to go out there and have fun - which usually works! I could potentially have a wildcard spot at the upcoming WSL CT event in Keremas, Bali - but I'm going to focus on this one for now. Winning another event here at Burleigh would be so special to me. My family want to come down on the weekend and watch, it's such an awesome spot to have an event."

Oney Anwar at the 2019 Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre. Oney Anwar continued his good form at Burleigh. - WSL / Ben Stagg

Pacha Light has surfed her way into round 2, after progressing through her round one heat today with Keala Tomoda-Bannert. Light stylishly worked her way through the rocky section of Burleigh point, tearing apart the clean right-handers on offer.

"It's definitely great to get those first-heat jitters out of the way," said Light. "It's such a fun wave to surf. When everyone sits on the headland and the waves get really clean it's an awesome vibe. I'm definitely looking forward to the swell coming this weekend, I'm excited to see some great surfing from everyone and hopefully score some good waves!"

Pacha Light at the 2019 Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre. Pacha Light carving past the Burleigh rocks. - WSL / Ben Stagg

Lennox Head local and former World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT) surfer Stuart Kennedy thrashed past his round 2 heat, defeating Nick Vasicek, Riley Laing and Benjamin Hucker respectively.

"I'm pretty stoked to get through round 2, especially with my good friend Nick (Vasicek)," said Kennedy. "We've had some good heats together over the years, and we normally end up progressing together. I gave him a wave in that heat, and he got the score he needed which was great. It would be awesome to take out this event. To earn those 1,500 points would be a huge booster for me this year. The prize money couldn't hurt either!"

Stuart Kennedy Stuart Kennedy carving into Round 4. - WSL / Ben Stagg

Sunshine Coaster Alister Reginato wasted no time getting to work on his round 2 heat win, defeating Liam Mortensen, defending event champion Nick Squiers and Raul Bormann respectively in what was a slow running heat.

"I'm stoked," said Reginato. "It was a bit of a slow heat, there weren't many waves coming through. A win in round 2 has definitely boosted my confidence heading into the rest of the event!"

Alister Reginato at the 2019 Gold Coast Open presented by Flight Centre. Alister Reginato on a roll at Burleigh. - WSL / Ben Stagg

Tomorrow will see the QS event back in the water first up. Competitors/spectators are encouraged to call Surfing Queensland's events hotline on (07) 3030 6388 from 6:30 am each morning of the event for a confirmed time/location.

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