KEY POINTS:
Eight New Zealand surfers have made the second round of the boy's category at the world junior championships in France which started on the weekend.
Gisborne's Johnny Hicks posted the highest heat score of the opening day - 18 out of a possible 20 points. Hicks, competing in the under-16 boys division, opened his account with a near perfect 9.5 point ride in the long lefthanders and backed that up with an 8.5 point ride.
Fellow under-16 surfers to progress were Alex Dive, who posted 13.1 in his heat for an easy win.
Damien Norman and Blake Myers had to settle for second in their heats.
In the under-18 division, Matt Hewitt posted a 16.17 point heat total for an easy victory. Eli Jacobs, Ryan Hawker and Paco Divers also locked away heat wins in the first round.
Day two action will include the opening round of the under-18 girls division which sees Paige Hareb, Airini Mason, Alexis Poulter and Rosa Thompson take to the water.
- NZPA
