Competitors, including South Coast trio Sally Fitzgibbons and Tyler and Mikey Wright, were challenged in super clean surf that built from six feet in the morning up to 10-to-12 feet by lunchtime with even bigger waves ridden by day's end.

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Gerroa's Fitzgibbons and Culburra's Tyler Wright went toe-to-toe in heat five of the opening round, with the former taking it out with a 12.10.

Wright's score of 11.50 saw her finishing second and also progress to the round of 16 - with United States' Sage Erickson (6.96) heading to the elimination round after ending up in third.

Culburra Beach's Mikey Wright will also surf in round two after losing the second heat on Sunday.

Wright's 7.50 saw him finish behind Hawaii's John John Florence (17.50) and France's Michael Bourez (12.00).

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The Culburra Beach Boardrider is now in heat three of the elimination round, with his two opponents still to be decided.

Mikey's older brother Owen is yet to hit the surf, with his heat 11 against France's Jeremy Flores and Brazil's Deivid Silva scheduled next in the water when the action resumes.

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