Australia's Mick Fanning will have to wait another day to continue his pursuit of a first surfing world title after organisers decided not to stage the quarter-finals of the Rip Curl Pro Search in Arica, Chile.

Small waves greeted competitors on Wednesday morning and with only half a day required to complete the event and five days left in the waiting period, officials chose to wait for better conditions.

Fanning, who leads the ratings after three events this year, was in the water ready for his quarter-final against American Bobby Martin on Wednesday before officials called it off.

They will be the first up on Thursday at the location known as Ex-Isla Alacran if conditions improve as expected.

Seven surfers remain in contention for the $US30,000 ($A35,500) first prize including Dean Morrison, the Australian who knocked out eight-time world champion Kelly Slater on Wednesday.

American brothers CJ and Damien Hobgood are also still alive, as well as Brazilian wildcard Bruno Santos.

One quarter-final was completed on Wednesday, with three-time former world champion Andy Irons knocking off Joel Parkinson of Australia.

Irons, who is sitting seventh in the standings, will meet the winner of the Fanning-Martinez heat in the semi-finals.

"A new swell is expected to pulse at Ex-Isla Alacran on Thursday and Friday, whilst early light winds should create clean conditions," a spokesman said.

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