The pair were pitted against each other in heat 11 and pulled off stunning performances, becoming the only surfers so far to score 9.0 points or higher on a single wave at El Sunzal.

Der Huls was sitting in fourth position before scoring 9.03 following a review from the judges that saw her overtake Canada’s Erin Brooks into the top two.

Brooks' 10.60-point haul appeared to be enough for second only for der Huls to post 11.53.

"I was just shocked that I actually committed on that turn," van der Huls said.

"I was working on my bottom turn with Beyrick [de Vries], my coach, and waiting till I get to the top and then committing to the turn and that's what I did.

"I landed it for my feeling and then they gave me the score, a one-point-something.

"I was like okay, that’s okay.

"I was just really happy I committed on that one and now I’ve heard I made the heat, I’m just super, super happy."

Marks was the highest scoring surfer in round two after finishing on 17.67 largely thanks to a third-wave score of 9.00.

"I definitely want to strive for the best and I want to get the highest scores and the highest heat total and be the best one every time for sure," Marks told Olympics.com.

Marks’ team-mate and world number one Carissa Moore posted the next biggest total with 16.17.

The reigning Olympic champion advanced from heat seven along with Israel's Noa Lelior who notched 12.50.

Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb was also impressive, top scoring with 15.10 in heat 12, while Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons registered 15.03 to progress from heat three.

Germany had plenty to celebrate as Rachel Presti, Noah Klapp and Camilla Kemp all won their respective heats.

Setareh Mazhari made history when she became the first woman from Iran to compete at the World Surfing Games.

"What an amazing moment to watch Setareh, this strong young woman from Iran, compete for her country here," said International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre.

The symbolism of her participation is huge as it demonstrates the power of surfing for a better world.

The men’s round two heats were also completed today with Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti producing a fine showing on the water.

The Italian scored 8.67 and 7.50 to finish with a total of 16.17.

Alex Saurez of Ecuador also starred, notching 11.97 to send world number one Griffin Colapinto of the United States into the repechage.

"Since the beginning I knew I was facing a hard heat against some of the top of the world," Suarez told Olympics.com.

"Fioravanti got an eight-point ride so I had to go all in. 

"My strategy was to stay calm, select the right waves and try to use all the potential of the wave.

"I competed in the (2019) ISA Worlds in Japan but I missed the ISA last year so I am taking this opportunity to show all the work I’ve done in and outside the water.

"I am really happy to see things coming together."

Competition is due to continue tomorrow with the start of men’s and women’s round three action.