Abubo advanced through her first-round heat, and received a bye in the second round. Her third-round heat was postponed because opponent Amee Donohoe of Australia was feeling ill and was admitted to a hospital.

Abubo is the only Hawaii surfer remaining in the contest. Kauai's Rochelle Ballard was eliminated in the second round, and Wai'anae's Melanie Bartels was eliminated in the third round.

In the Rip Curl Pro men's contest, Hawai'i surfers Andy Irons, Bruce Irons and Pancho Sullivan won their respective first-round heats to advance directly to the third round.

One other Hawai'i surfer — Fred Patacchia Jr. — placed second in his first-round heat and will have to compete in the second round.