Santa Cruz’s John Mel won in his opening heat Friday at the World Surf League’s Vans Jack’s Surfboards Pro, a Qualifying Series 4,000-point event in Huntington Beach.

Mel next competes against San Clemente’s Cannon Carr, Sebastian Williams of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and Will Deane of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, in Heat 1 of the Round of 32.

In Heat 2 of the Round of 64, Mel posted a two-wave total score of 12.76 over 25 minute of action, which featured 1- to 4-foot waves, to edge Brazil’s Alex Lima (12.64) for the victory and an accompanying heat winner cash prize of $75.

Mel counted an 8.03, which he scored on his fourth wave, and a back-up score of 4.73.

“Definitely a super shaky start,” said Mel, during his post-heat interview with the WSL. “I was a little bit trippin’. I kept seeing Lima get those little double-up rights, and I was going on these lefts that were kinda tapering off into the deep spot. I kinda noticed that and once I got priority and I was like, ‘Ok, I’m gonna sit and wait for one of these good double-up rights,’ and I kinda got lucky to get that one (8.03). Super stoked.”

Venezuela’s Jose Lopez (11.24) took third and was eliminated, as was fourth-place finisher Dylan Hord (11.03) of Newport Beach.

Mel is coming off a fifth-place finish at the BTMI Barbados Surf Pro, a QS 5,000-point event.

Santa Cruz’s Sam Coffey (7.27) took fourth in Heat 15 of the Round of 96 on Thursday and was eliminated from in the men’s competition at the Jack’s Surfboards Pro.

In the women’s competition, Santa Cruz’s Keanna Miller (8.17) took third in Heat 1 of the Round of 40 and was eliminated.