Fanning and Slater beaten by underdogs at Quiksilver Pro

Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater lose first round of heats at Quiksilver Pro

Quiksilver and Roxy Pro press conference

GIANTS fell on day one of the Quiksilver Pro with world champion surfers and hot favourites Mick Fanning and Kelly Slater both losing their opening heats at Snapper Rocks.

The world tour veterans, who share 14 world titles between them, were both usurped by rank outsiders Matt Banting and Freddy Patacchia Jr in clean 1 metre conditions.

Despite scoring the highest single wave score of the day with 9.73 points, Fanning could not find a strong enough second wave to beat Banting’s total of 17.76 points.

The heat also featured Tweed Heads rookie Jack Freestone, who received a wildcard entry into the main event after taking out Friday’s Quicksilver Trials event.

The dual world junior champion showed just why he a future Championship Tour competitor with a respectable total score of 15.83.

Meanwhile Slater struggled for wave selection in his round one heat, as Hawaiian veteran Patacchia Jr notched up two solid scores for a 17.06 total.

He said the lack of waves coming in during his heat was partly to blame.

“If I knew it was going to be like that out there I would have done things different,” the 43-year-old said.

“I let Freddy (Patacchia Jr) take a nice wave thinking that the second wave would be better but turns out I was wrong and that cost me.”

Kelly Slater lost his first heat to Freddy Patacchia Jr at Quiksilver Pro. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Both Slater and Fanning will now compete in round two’s elimination heat with Fanning taking on Californian wildcard Dane Reynolds while Slater will come up against Freestone.

Gold Coast surfers Joel Parkinson and Bede Durbidge both won their respective heats and progressed to round three of the competition.

Parkinson said he was happy with his performance in the testing conditions.

“It is always hard to surf here when there is an easing swell,” Parkinson said.

“The waves are a little fat and don’t have much shape to them.

“It is good to get through the opening round but I hope the event is put on hold until a bigger swell arrives.”

Reigning world champion Gabriel Medina waited until a blistering final wave to claim victory in his heat.

The 2014 Quiksilver Pro winner looked destined for an upset loss until he scored an impressive 9.50 points on his final wave to snatch the lead.

Fans dressed in Brazil national soccer team shirts and carrying flags were seen chanted the 21-year-old’s name as he came in from the water.

“It is great to have all this support it gets me fired up,” Medina said.

“Brazilians are passionate about their sporting stars and it is no different in surfing.

“I am feeling confident in my surfing and look forward to my next heat.”

Organisers are expected to put round two and three of the Quiksilver Pro on hold tomorrow as they await a potentially new swell arriving next week.