Australian surfers bombed out when the WCT Billabong Pro resumed in small waves after a week on hold.

The event's unique round-one exit format produced casualties in 1999 event champion Mark Occhilupo, Luke Hitchings, Beau Emerton and Ritchie Lovett -- all placing last in their three-man heats.

Organisers were forced to abandon the main contest site at the Mundaka rivermouth to complete round one plus half the 16 second-round heats at the nearby beach break of Bakio.

Australians progressing to the third round included world Mick Fanning, Kieren Perrow, Dean Morrison, Michael Lowe and Phillip MacDonald.

Former six times world champion and current world No.2 Kelly Slater kept his world title hopes alive by also advancing into round three.

The Floridian needs to finish first or second to overtake reigning world champion Andy Irons in the ratings lead.

Organisers are hopeful of staging the final two days of competition at the preferred break of Mundaka with a new swell expected within 24 hours.

When competition re-commences world No.3 Taj Burrow will take on American Tim Curran in heat nine of round two.

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