Angourie surfer Chris Zaffis placed second behind Sunshine Coast surfer Aeron Kelly in the Australian Open of Surfing Gold Coast Pro, held at Duranbah Beach in 2-3 foot offshore conditions.

Two-times Red Bull Airborne qualifier, Kelly took flight in the men’s final, proving why he is one of the world’s leading aerial surfers.

Kelly launched an enormous air reverse to earn a 9.87 out of a possible 10 points to take the lead half way through the heat.

Kelly was able to back up his near perfect score with a 4.4 to win over Chris Zaffis (Angourie), Alister Reginato (Alexandra Headland) and Quinn Bruce (Coolangatta).

“I have been waiting all day to get an air section like that,” Kelly said. “To get one in the final was so epic! It scored a near perfect ten so the judges must have really liked that one.”