The Australian Open at Manly Beach ran a full day of the men's ASP Six-Star division with Nat Young of the USA posting a perfect 10-point ride.

The day saw some monster aerials and huge carving turns in punchy two-foot surf as the top seeds thrived in the competitive environment.

Young showed that despite the small conditions it was still possible to earn some big scores after he posted the first perfect 10-point-ride of the event.

“That was the best wave I’ve had at Manly,” Young said. “I just made sure I didn’t fall because it was such a good wave and I didn’t want to ruin it. I just got here yesterday morning from Brazil and was jet-lagged all day. It was a mission to get here, but that heat was worth it, I’m glad to be here.”

Adrian Buchan of Australia advanced to the next round after finishing second to compatriot Brent Savage in an exciting round of 96 battle.

It was Buchan’s first event of 2012, and the central coaster looked sharp, posting an excellent 8.00 (out of a possible 10) in the final few minutes of his heat.

“It was fun out there,” Buchan said. “The waves I got score on I feel like they were tiny, I was just trying to catch the ones that hugged the bank.

“This is kind of a home event for me... so it’s nice to wake up in familiar surroundings and drive down in your own car, I’ve also got a lot of friends down here. I’d love to do well here, let’s just hope the swell hangs around.”

Tiago Pires almost missed his opening heat after he landed at Sydney International airport late following a long flight from Portugal, but he still managed to win his heat, despite the other three surfers having a five-minute head start.

“I was hoping to be in one of the last heats of the day, but when I saw I was in heat eight I knew it would be tight,” Pires said. “The waves have some push and they’re fun, I feel good to win that one.”

Home favourite Taj Burrow posted an impressive win in the last heat of the day, finding a couple of double ups and executing his trademark fins free turns. Burrow was the winner of the last men’s ASP event in Manly back in 1999.

“You mind surf every wave before you go out for a heat, and I was surfing a lot better from the beach,” Burrow said. “I’m just finding my feet for the first heat of the event, and I’ve been waiting all day so it felt good to finally get in the water.

“I’ve got some good memories of Manly, I had a great time last time I competed here. I love the US Open and I’m stoked we’ve now got one here in Australia and I’m here to win it.”

Eurosport