- WSL
- WSL

Great surf has greeted competitors on the opening day of the Philip Island Pro presented by Bass Coast Shire Council at Cape Woolamai, with Round 1 of both the Men's and Women's completed along with 5 heats of Men's Round 2.

Thomas Cervi at Cape Woolamai for the Phillip Island Pro pres by Bass Coast Shire Thomas Cervi throwing caution to the wind. - WSL

Cape Woolamai dished up 4 foot surf and offshore winds for the opening day of the five day event that has seen an incredible lineup of international surfers attend the event.

One of the rising stars of Victorian surfing, 16-year old Xavier Huxtable put on a show in his Round 1 heat taking a win over Japanese surfer Kenta Ishikawa, Samson Coulter and Frazer Martin.

"This is only my second Qualifying Series event this year" said Huxtable. "It's a really good opportunity for me to learn from some of the older guys who have so much experience. I try to not think about surfing against them and just do my own thing but at the same time, you want to see what they do to prepare and how they surf in heats. The forecast is looking fun for the other side of the Island over the coming days so I hope we get some good waves."

Xavier Huxtable Xavier Huxtable - WSL

Women's Round 1 was also completed with every Victorian progressing through to Round Two along with Lauren Poor. Round Two of the Women's division will see the Top Seeds enter including former Junior World Champion Isabella Nichols.

Other surfers who impressed throughout the day included Thomas Cervi, Zoe Clarke, Elliot Paerata-Reid, Maddy Job and Morgan Cibilic.

With a projected increase in swell, it is anticipated that the event will shift to the protected corner of Penguin Parade.

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.