With the first round of repechages taking place in all divisions, an increase in swell provided the best waves yet, which New Zealand's Shane Kraus was able to exploit to his advantage.

The Kiwi was the stand-out performer of the day, putting together the highest heat score of 15.50 points in the boys' under-16 division.

Almost as impressive on the day was South Africa's Luke Thompson, who scored 15.28 in the boys' under-18 event.

On the girls side Japan's Minami Nonaka managed the highest single wave score, of 8.17 at under-18 level, while Austria's Emma Cattlin and Kirra Pinkerton from the United States managed the best heat scores at under-16 and under-18 level respectively, scoring 14.67 and 14.23.

The double elimination format at the Championships means all surfers get a second chance in the competition, should they crash out of the main event.

Reaching the final through the repechages, however, takes much longer than through the normal event.

One of those to advance through the first round repechage in the girls' under-16 competition was Fiji's Kiesha Wakeham.

Afterwards she spoke of her nerves.

"When I go out in the repechage round I feel nervous, but excited at the same time," she said.

"Once I get out there the only thing in my head is to surf my best, have fun, and catch the first wave."

The competition will end on November 4.