What lacked in the way of waves on day one was made up for with incredible performances as the world's best returned to CT competition in Australia for the first time in almost two years.

Gerroa's Sally Fitzgibbons set an impressive benchmark in the opening heat of women's round one.

The current world number three posted a 14.00 point heat tally, which included a near-excellent 7.83 score (out of a possible 10) for her heat win.

Read more: Patient Ford takes positives from NSW Cup stint ahead of season's first NRL appearance

Like men's compatriot John John Florence, Fitzgibbons is renowned for her big wave surfing but her performance in Thursday's fun peeling smaller waves reminded all just how good she surfs on the smaller days.

"I'm frothing - it's so nice to be back competing and with a crowd on the beach, especially an Aussie one," Fitzgibbons said.

"Heat one is always exciting, so I definitely had a lot of energy going into that one.

"My preparation was good and I had a great free surf leading into that heat, so I was trying for some progressive moves that didn't quite come off but I'll definitely be trying for more of them in my next heat."

Fellow South Coast product Tyler Wright (Culburra Beach) also progressed straight through to round three, after recording a 13.37 to edged United States' Lakey Peterson (10.50) and Mooloolaba's Keely Andrew (8.90).

Tyler's two brothers Owen and Mikey didn't have it all their own way though.

Older brother Owen could only muster 8.13 in heat eight against Brazilian pair Peterson Crisanto (10.84) and Alex Ribeiro (8.67).

While the latter, who scored 12.00, came third in heat three behind Hawaii's John John Florence (14.56) and Brazil's Yago Dora (12.73).

This forces both into round two elimination surf-offs.

Read more: Murphy creates lawn bowls history with national coaching appointment

Owen is set to take on Brazil's Adriano de Souza and countrymen Matt Banting in heat one, as Mikey is in an all-Australian heat two with Julian Wilson and Jack Robinson.

On Friday morning, the WSL announced all action at Newcastle has been postponed until at least Sunday due to small surf.

"As expected, the surf has continued to drop overnight and there isn't much on offer for competitors this morning," said WSL SVP of tours and head of competition Jessi Miley-Dyer.

"It looks like these conditions will continue through tomorrow, as well, so we are calling tomorrow off and will come back on Sunday and make another call then."

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.