Surfing: Sarah Baum bounces back from Surfest exit at Sydney Women's Pro

The South African, who has called Newcastle home for the past year, was second in her opening heat at the 6000-point qualifying series contest at Manly.

Frenchwoman Neis Lartigue won with a 12.24 two-wave total ahead of Baum (11.8), who edged out Maud Le Car (9.47) and Shelby Detmers (8.87) in small waves.

Le Car and Detmers needed a 5.17 to take Baum's place in round two but she produced a 5.97 late to push the requirement to 6.7. Neither challenged and Baum progressed to next face Melanie Giunta, Bianca Buitendag and Brianna Cope.

"It was pretty tough," Baum said. "There were some pretty good waves and sets in the heat before mine, but during my heat it slowed down. I guess the tide changed, but I still managed to get a couple and it got me through so I'm very happy."

Last week, Baum won her round one heat at Surfest, another 6000-point event, but she was third and eliminated in round two.

"I felt pretty good at the Newcastle event," she said.

"I was just a bit unlucky with waves, which sucks, but I'm glad these two events are one after the other because I've still got that bit of fire, my boards are going really good and I feel really good and on point. I'm just excited to get back out there."

Merewether's Philippa Anderson starts in round three. Clubmates Jackson Baker and Morgan Cibilic begin in heats 16 and 24 of round one respectively in the men's event.