Pablo Paulino got the highest score of the contest

Brazil's Pablo Paulino set the standard during day three of the Rip Curl Boardmasters in Newquay with the highest heat score of the contest.

The reigning World Junior Champion powered past Australia's Matt Wilkinson and Luke Cheadle and Frenchman Eric Rebiere at Fistral Beach.

Paulino's 18 points from two waves surpassed his closest rival Wilkinson by more than three points.

"I'm stoked to get through that one with such big scores", said Paulino.

"The waves were fun and I just went for big turns and ended up winning. I hope I can keep things going this way for round four and further."

Californian surfer Brett Simpson was another stand-out performer, getting the second highest heat result of the day to get through one more round.

"It was fun and the waves definitely remained good enough to get that round done", said Simpson.

"It is probably one of the best events this year with Wednesday being excellent and Thursday being good, so I am pretty happy."

The European contingent saw only three of its remaining 10 representatives get through round three - Germany's Marlon Lipke, Spain's Gony Zubizarreta and Patrick Beven, from France, all winning their respective heats with solid performances.