With a huge swell predicted to hit Bells, Merewether surfer Ryan Callinan will test out some longer boards on Friday morning after advancing to the round of 16 at the World Surf League event.
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The 26-year-old goofy footer welcomed the arrival of extra equipment for his upcoming championship tour battle with American Connor Coffin after Thursday's heat win over Frenchman Michel Bourez.
Potential conditions at the south-west Victorian break have been described as a "50 year storm" with "freak waves", most likely ranging from five-to-six metres in the competition zone.
"I only have a six [foot] one-and-a-half [inches], but a six four came down for me last night," Callinan said.
"It just depends on the conditions. I'll test something in the morning, see how it feels and go from there. I'm excited to see really big Bells and excited for the challenge."
Callinan produced an impressive seven-point wave with just under 10 minutes remaining in the round of 32, pushing him back in front of Bourez.
The Novocastrian's opening ride of 5.5 also counted in his combined total of 12.50, finishing 1.74 points clear of Bourez (10.76).
The international visitor had led with an early post of 6.33 but Callinan's six-turn effort, featuring a backhand floater, in the eighth minute reeled in 5.13.
Bourez replied with a 4.43 at the halfway mark to edge ahead by 0.13.
Callinan's top score, recorded on the third of his four waves, eventually proved to be the difference.
The opponents had mostly preferred different sections of the available surf at alternative venue Winkipop.
"We'd been going down really low on the rocks and that's the peak I feel has been a bit better for me," Callinan said.
"I feel like the top peak can be a a bit short and kind of runny, like run down the line really fast sometimes.
"So I was happy to sit down there by myself and It's kind of interesting when you both sit on different peaks. It breaks it up and kind of feels, almost like you're not with anyone and you can focus on yourself but at the same time you've got to worry about doing the right thing, picking the right waves still and getting good scores."
Also on Thursday, fellow Australian Julian Wilson was eliminated by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater. Brazillian duo Filipe Toledo and Paterson Crisanto progressed to the fourth round along with Hawaiian Seth Moniz.
