Australia's women have made a successful start to the Sunset Pro in Hawaii, however season-opening event winner Jack Robinson must battle the elimination round.
Back in the water on Monday after last week's World Surf League's Billabong Pro at nearby Pipeline where Robinson triumphed, reigning world champion Stephanie Gilmore and in-form Tyler Wright both avoided the sudden-death round.
Robinson, however, found the going tough with the 25-year-old West Australian finishing last in a tight three-man heat where less than a point separated the trio.
American Jake Marshall and Hawaiian Eli Hanneman booked safe passage into the men's round of 32, with Robinson set to surf on Tuesday to join them.
With the swell picking up after a lay day, 35-year-old Gilmore opened strongly to post a dominant win over Hawaiian Zoe McDougall and another Australian Isabella Nichols.
Wright, who was runner-up at Pipeline to local favourite Carissa Moore, finished second in her three-surfer heat behind Hawaiian teen Bettylou Sakura Johnson.
Gilmore was happy with her performance after failing to make a dent last week, among six Australians women moving on.
"My plan was just to catch waves and it worked out really well," she said.
"Sometimes you get stuck out there you just sitting, waiting for this magical unicorn wave that never comes so it's all about just staying in the rhythm."
Rising stars Molly Picklum and Macy Callaghan won their heats, while their compatriot Sally Fitzgibbons banked a second place.
Nichols bounced back in the elimination round to also advance.
Ethan Ewing, who was a Hurley Pro semi-finalist last year, made an big early statement with a 9.0 wave helping him secure a comfortable heat win.
Ewing said his 2022 showing gave him confidence.
"It's a huge part - this wave is really hard, it's different every time you go out there and but I feel comfortable," the 24-year-old Queenslander said.
"I've surfed here a lot and managed to luck into a really good wave.
"It's a huge confidence boost for sure and I just want to keep the ball rolling but you can have shockers out there too so I will keep trying to work at it."
