The Tokyo 2020 Olympian and 2010 world junior champion pulled off a huge air reverse on his opening section for a score of 8.83 points.

He combined this with a later 6.90 to post the highest heat total of the day on 15.73 points.

In the final heat of the day, Australia's Ellie Harrison stunned crowds with her performance in the women's competition.

She caught the long walls of El Sunzal perfectly late on to bag the highest single wave score at 9.50 points.

She also equalled American Caroline Marks highest heat total with 17.67 points.

Harrison was a late addition to the Australian line-up but has impressed so far at the Games.

"The call-up came as a huge surprise, but I'm just so grateful that they even thought of me to come," Harrison said.

"I'm looking to build confidence in heats and definitely after that one it feels good to post up a couple big scores.

"I'm just grateful to be here, I love El Salvador and it’s so good being here with Team Australia and all the CT [Championship Tour] surfers."

Canadian Erin Brooks, Kailani Johnson of Indonesia, and Brazil's Luana Silva were also able to pick the best of the large surf at El Sunzal in the women's repechage rounds

Former world number one Sally Fitzgibbons of Australia, Frenchwoman Johanne Defay, and Shino Matsuda managed challenging conditions at La Bocana to keep their medal hopes alive.

Matsuda is part of a strong Japanese team which was the only nation to enter the day with all six of their surfers still in the main round.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the men's main round four and women's repechage round three.