GOLD COAST, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, February 16, 2011) - Gold Coasters proved that nothing beats local knowledge in the sport of surfing, as a host of up-and-coming Queenslanders dominated the opening exchanges of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star, US$85,000 Breaka Burleigh Pro.

Leading the charge on day one of competition was Coolangatta's Ice Pereira-Ryan who obliterated the 1m Burleigh Heads conditions on his way to scoring a combined two-wave heat total of 12.00 (out of a possible 20).

Pereira-Ryan defeated Bachelor Tipene (NZL – 9.70), Ibsen Mariano (AUS – 5.57) and Jye Brazenas (AUS – 3.03) on his way to advancing through to the Round of 128 where he'll meet 2009 Queensland Championship Circuit Champion Nick Vasicek (AUS) and North Stradbroke Island's Tim Macdonald.

"It was a bit tricky out there today, but there was some signs of a new swell building, so hopefully conditions continue to improve throughout the day," said Pereira-Ryan.

"I was stoked to get through my first heat and hopefully I can keep my momentum going and maybe get a shot against one of the World Tour surfers later in the event," he said.

Fellow Gold Coasters Currumbin's Lawson Hayles (AUS) and current ASP World Junior Champion Jack Freestone (AUS) also advanced into the Round of 128 with Hayles scoring a combined two-wave heat total of 10.00 (out of a possible 20) and Freestone continuing his run of good form, posting a 14.84 (out of a possible 20).

Anticipation is building ahead of Wildcard Peter Harris taking to the water, with the 1980 Stubbies Classic Champion set to compete late tomorrow (Thursday, 17th, Feb) or early Friday (18th Feb).

Results Round 1 Breaka Burleigh Pro – Australian unless otherwise stated, surfers listed 1st to 4th in each heat with 1st and 2nd progressing to round two.

Breaka Burleigh Pro Round 1 Results: Heat 1: Josh Johnson-Baxter, David Vlug, Richie Collins (USA), Daniel Karran Heat 2: Keelan Veitch, Adam Bennetts, Damien Norman, Logan Spetch Heat 3: Jesse Adam, Luke Archibald, Guillermo Satt (CHI), Darcy Phillips Heat 4: Ellis Ericson, Sylvain Hoareau (REU), Alex Chacon, Lee Wilson (IDN Heat 5: Aria Hirota (JPN), Ben Hannah, Jerome Forrest, Sam Wrench Heat 6: Jay Phillips, Sam Lendrum, Dru Adler, Sol Ryan Heat 7: Jack Freestone, Wade Carmichael, James Lewis, Mitch Van Der Meer Heat 8: Nick Squires, Jesse Buder, Augusto Boni, Matt Neilson Heat 9: Ice Pereira-Ryan, Bachelor Tipene (NZL), Ibsen Mariano, Jay Brazenas Heat 10: Creed McTaggart, Felipe Braz (BRA), Brent Symes, Jake Stalker Heat 11: Lawson Hayles, Todd Rosewall, Blake Ainsworth, Leornardo Reis (BRA) Heat 12: Tyler Newton (HAW), Tim Wrench, Joe Haddon, Tim-Blade Forsyrh Heat 13: Mitchel James, Josh Lewan, Hamish Whillans, Noa Deane Heat 14: Garrett Parkes, Jefferson Silva (BRA), Luke Stickley, Matt Baldock Heat 15: Dai Wako, Jarrad Bell, Drouyn Osborne, Tikanui Smith (PYF) Heat 16: Jake Colreavy, Jason Jameson, Teale Vanner, Asher Wales.