Australian surfers have made a solid start to the season-opening World Surf League event in Hawaii, with three-time world champion Gabriel Medina making a winning return.
The women's competition on Oahu Pipeline, spearheaded by defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore, was put on hold with seven Australian men led by world No.3 Jack Robinson in action in round one of the tour's Billabong Pro on Wednesday.
All seven finished in the top two of their three-surfer heats to successfully bypass the elimination round, which was held later in the day.