Michel Bourez at RIP CURL PRO Bells beach.Model ARP-2.

photo -ASP/c Kirstin via GETTY IMAGES

23 year old WCT rookie Michel Bourrez and good mate Tim Boal powered there way through the first round yesterday at Bells.here is the official press release

"I am pretty happy," Bourez said. "It is my first year in Bells and I only got here yesterday so I am pretty stoked to make it. I came once when I was 18 and I have been watching all the bells movies so I am really happy to be here."

Bourez, who dealt well with the additional stress of the sudden-death Round 1, was looking forward to avoiding a second Round 1 elimination and reached his goal. The Tahitian will now meet with current ASP World Tour leader Joel Parkinson (AUS), a much expected encounter since Bourez defeated Parkinson at the Quiksilver Pro France last year.

"All I was thinking about was not losing as I only got here yesterday and did not want to go back today," Bourez said. "I was happy to surf Bells with just one other. I surfed, did my best and made it."

Bourez's performance was followed by fellow European Tim Boal and Tiago Pires both qualifying for Round 2 respectively in Heat 15 and Heat 16. Boal and Pires, who started the 2009 season with an equal 17th place, managed to grab their Round 2 ticket today, Boal defeating fellow French surfer Michael Picon (FRA) while Pires bested Kauai's Dustin Barca (HAW).

"I saw the draw and I wasn't too happy to get Miky in the first round especially with the new format and getting eliminated straight away," Boal said. "I really like the waves here and I know it is not Miky's favorite."

Boal, who trained in Tahiti with Bourez and coach Xavier Huart during the month break since the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast ended, came up with solid surfing wrapping up the heat with a promising 14.50 point heat result (out of a possible 20).

"It kind of stressed me a bit at the start of the heat, maybe I was looking forward to it too much," Boal said. "I have only been here once before when I was a junior and I really like the place and this wave is really similar to a wave at home."

Boal will face last year's Rip Curl Pro semifinalist Bobby Martinez (USA) when Round 2 resumes.