Several Australians are fighting for their pro surfing lives in the third round of the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters.

The event on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii had been postponed for the past two days due to poor conditions, but organisers have taken advantage of a strong three-metre swell and are hoping the event will be completed on Friday.

Australia's Jake Peterson, Nathan Hedge, Chris Ward, Luke Stedman and Mick Lowe could potentially find themselves relegated to the ASP's second tier World Qualifying Series next year if they fail to perform in the remaining rounds of the event.

Hawaii's Andy Irons is poised to take his fourth Vans Triple Crown of Surfing after winning the coveted crown in 2002, 2003 and 2005.

Irons only needs to progress one more round to win the title, although Australia's Taj Burrow still has an outside chance if he wins the event and Irons fails to progress.

Irons' main rival for the series, Australia's Joel Parkinson, was eliminated from the event in round two.

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