Callinan will take on Slater on Saturday after beating American Conner Coffin 13.93-9.93 in the round of 16.

The goofy-footer smashed the lip to finish on his backhand and earned an 8.6 with 36 minutes left in the 50-minute heat to set up the win in monster waves.

He backed that up with a 5.33 with 28 minutes to go, leaving Coffin needing an 8.51 but he never threatened.

Heats were held two at a time to make up for lay days and Slater was in the water when Callinan scored his 8.6. After beating Brazilian Peterson Crisanto 10.8 to 6.87, Slater said: "Ryan got a crazy one. How was that hit?"

Callinan said it was exciting to set up a clash with the four-time Bells champion.

"He's obviously a previous winner here multiple times but I love versing those top guys," Callinan said. "It could be his last time here so it's going to be a special one."

Callinan was in control throughout against Coffin in the wind-blown, bumpy and intimidating waves which peaked at 15 feet (4.5 metres) during the day.

"From the free surf, it feels like it's really jacked up a lot through the day, which it was meant to, but maybe I wasn't paying enough attention when I was watching or it just felt a lot bigger," he said.

"I copped a few sets on the head, but I adjusted and I was lucky enough that Peterson missed one and Conner was next to him and that was my big score.

"It just felt like a lot of whitewash out there and paddling so it was good to get through."

Asked if it the conditions were like Third Reef at Merewether in huge swell, he said: "It's just big and actually quite fat at the moment.

"Merewether has a similar style when it's this size. Big take-offs and long drawn out turns, so I felt pretty comfortable."