French surfer Carpentier was one of the first out on the El Sunzal water on day five and he made the most of improving conditions to record the best score of the day on 15.9 points.

He banked an early eight-pointer, and with just two waves counting towards the average scores, backed it up with a 7.90 execution that saw him progress in first position overall.

France are bidding for the overall title when the team Championship is awarded on Sunday (December 1) and Carpentier let the field know he is on-form and seeking crucial points in that battle.

Compatriot Clément Roseyro also moved into round two, a 9.30 overall tally enough to win his heat.

Zane Schweitzer and Daniel Hughes kept United States in the running with heat triumphs while Australian Wesley Fry was the best of the rest behind Carpentier with 14.77 points.

In the women's first round, defending champion Westdorp put up a fine display as the swell grew, winning her heat on 13.66 points.

The Australian has won the SUP surf at the last three editions of the ISA World Championship and remained on course with the best score of the day.

The second best result of the day came in the same heat as Brissa Malaga from Peru claimed second spot on 11.86 points.

Malaga's compatriot Vania Torres progressed from heat five with 11.77 as American Candice Appleby stepped up her game to win heat two.

Appleby has struggled with injury heading into the Surf City Championships but with the US needing to recoup points on the French and Spanish in the bid for gold, gave her best efforts to reach round two.

The action continues tomorrow morning in El Salvador with the second round in both the men's and women's events, while the first of the repechage heats will also be held in the afternoon.