Day 3 of competition at the Fiji Pro was held in similar conditions to Day 2 with waves in the 5-6 foot range and stiff trade winds. Resuming with Round 2 Julian Wilson (12.93) survived a low scoring affair against the soon-to-be retired CJ Hobgood (10.67). J'Dub posted a 9.50 in the dying minutes for a double barrel and the day CJ can open a surf school, play the stockmarket, or become a preacher man just got that bit closer.

Joel Parkinson (17.00) looked extremely comfortable in the barrel on his backhand taking care of Micro Hall (8.87), as did Adam Melling (17.60) against Matt Wilkinson (12.50). Micro said it was like a kick in the balls losing to Parko and then watching Melling put Wilko in combo. (Micro coaches Wilko)

Jeremy Flores (17.70) and Ricardo Christie (17.47) surfed the best heat of Round 2. Flores has been in career best form yet it's not showing in the rankings, the luck simply hasn't gone his way in heats. Today, however, he got the rub of the green. Both surfers posted big scores for waves that included deep backhand tubes and massive lip blasts. The big Kiwi looks much more comfortable in chunkier waves and can consider himself very unlucky not to win the heat. If swell arrives at the next two comps - J'Bay and Teahupoo - expect Christie to be in the mix.

The surfing cranked up a notch when Round 3 hit the water. For the second day running Kelly Slater put on a barrel-riding clinic posting the highest score of the day (18.57) that included an 8.67 and 9.90. In an otherwise slow heat against Freddy Patacchia Jr (10.17), Slater posted his two highest scores within a five-minute period towards the end of the heat riding the foamball on what he described as "a few smaller ones on the inside". Between yesterday's performance and today's, Slater is getting his mojo back. If any questions can be asked it's about his timing: can he maintain the pace?

Taj Burrow’s (13.16) vs Keanu Asing (6.36) was a textbook affair of old age and treachery beating youth and exuberance. Holding priority, Asing missed a set wave that Taj duly snapped up dropping into a deep barrel, followed up with a series of open face carves. The judges gave him an 8.33 and Asing shoulders slumped. If he's to requalify Asing needs more time in the line up and pay more attention to strategy.

Wiggolly Dantas (15.36) and Nat Young (13.94) surfed a heat that Ross Williams would call "feisty". Wiggolly almost paddled over the top of Young while scratching for a set wave. Both surfers hassled each other up the reef with the heat not really getting underway till the last ten minutes. Young went down swinging needing an 8.20 at the back end of the heat but was only able to muster a 6.77. It was yet another example of confidence from the rookie class of 2015. They may make mistakes, such as Asing did against Taj, but none of them are walkovers. Each believes they deserve to be there. Young will be disappointed with a 13th placing after last year's runner up finish here.

The last heat of the day was an absolute gem. Dane Reynolds (18.34) caused the upset of the event so far downing current rankings leader Adriano De Souza (13.64). Reynolds performance was second only to Slater's, and his backhand vertical snaps were in a class of their own. The chunky natural footer is not only getting tighter in the pocket than anyone else, he's coming down with his board on the foamball showing full commitment to every turn. And if Slater is already blazing then it feels like Dane is on a slow heat - building, building. He's timing his run and if conditions stay consistent - that is, if strategy plays a lesser role - Dane will be hard to beat. From what we have seen so far there's a good chance Slater and Reynolds will be meeting in Semi 1. ADS will be shattered with another 13th placing as the peleton catches his lead. In the post heat interview Reynolds said he feels bad beating ADS but wants to justify his inclusion in the event. Every would-be champ needs a motivator and Dane has found his.

Conditions are forecast to pick up tomorrow with Commissioner Kieren Perrow hinting the event may finish on Tuesday which suggests tomorrow will be a full day of competition. Mick Fanning will be up against Alejo Muniz in the first heat of the day; Muniz had a confidence-boosting Round 1 win over Slater, while Fanning barely broke into a canter. Interesting to note Round 4 Heat 2 will see two rookies up against a wildcard with one of them guaranteed a quarter final berth. In 2015 the deck is getting thoroughly reshuffled. //STEVE HARRISON

Fiji Pro Round 2 Results:

• Heat 1: Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.50 def. Inia Nakalevu (FJI) 6.87
• Heat 2: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 10.70 def. Aca Ravulo (FJI) 8.86
• Heat 3: Dane Reynolds (USA) 15.00 def. Josh Kerr (AUS) 14.10
• Heat 4: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.70 def. Jay Davies (AUS) 9.47
• Heat 5: Owen Wright (AUS) 10.10 def. Aritz Aranburu (ESP) 9.03
• Heat 6: Julian Wilson (AUS) 12.93 def. C.J. Hobgood (USA) 10.67
• Heat 7: Bede Durbidge (AUS) 15.67 def. Dusty Payne (HAW) 12.70
• Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.00 def. Glenn Hall (IRL) 8.87
• Heat 9: Adam Melling (AUS) 17.60 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 12.50
• Heat 10: Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 12.27 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 5.70
• Heat 11: Jeremy Flores (AUS) 17.70 def. Ricardo Christie (NZL) 17.47
• Heat 12: Kolohe Andino (USA) 16.70 def. Matt Banting (AUS) 12.30

 Fiji Pro Round 3 Results:

• Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) 13.16 def. Keanu Asing (HAW) 6.36
• Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS) 13.93 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 13.34
• Heat 3: Kelly Slater (USA) 18.57 def. Fredrick Patacchia Jr. (HAW) 10.17
• Heat 4: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) 15.36 def. Nat Young (USA) 13.94
• Heat 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 12.93 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 11.80
• Heat 6: Dane Reynolds (USA) 18.34 def. Adriano de Souza (BRA) 13.64