The first round of the Quiksilver Pro was completed today in two-to-three feet waves. In a suprising move the contest directors chose to use the back-up venue of Duranbah, despite being the first day of the waiting period and the waves being only average quality.

If it seems an unusual move it probably says much about the swell outlook on the Gold Coast and the need to squeeze some competition days out of the current swell. The forecast for much of the coming week is bleak with small waves and northerly winds.

As for the competition, there were notable performances by wildcards, rookies and re-qualifiers. And Kelly Slater.

Wildcard Julian Wilson surfed an exciting heat. His performance was a stark contrast to his first round heat at last years Quiksilver Pro (also as a wildcard). Twelve months ago he tried to take his aerial act to Snapper but couldn't land clean and got left behind the reeling sections. Today the ramps and wedges of D'bah were more to his liking and he used them to boost up, out and into the third round.

Rookie surfers Tim Boal and Kekoa Bacalsco had excellent starts to their CT careers, both winning their first heats and advancing to the third round. Bacalsco - the heavy-set Hawaiian - was a suprise as it was thought he'd struggle in smaller waves. Not likely.....he logged the highest heat total of the round.

Requalifiers Josh Kerr and Chris Davidson surfed great heats – Kerr easily winning using a wide range of moves, but Davidson unfortunately got relegated despite having the third highest heat total. His opponent? The big-fella Bacalsco.

Slater backed up his pre-comp claims of using unusual equipment by riding a 5'4” quad-fin he designed himself. Of course he won his heat. And I'm sure I'm not the only one keen to see what board he pulls out when the comp goes to Snapper.

See below for photos and results of round one and stay tuned to Swellnet for action from the later rounds.// STUART NETTLE