Aussies Molly Picklum and Isabella Nicholls through to the Hurley Pro quarter-finals

After days of waiting the women finally got in the water with the Aussies handling some big waves at Sunset Beach.

Molly Picklum at the Hurley Pro Sunset in Hawaii. (Photo by Tony Heff/World Surf League)

Australian surf star Molly Picklum declared the pressure of being defending champion was just “noise in your head” as she surged into the quarter-finals of the Hurley Pro in Hawaii.

Picklum, who reached the final of the Pipe Pro last week, where she earned the first ever perfect score of 10.00 by a woman at the famous North Shore break, is backing that form up at Sunset Beach.

She could be on a collision course with fellow Aussie Isabella Nichols who knocked out compatriot and two-time world champ Tyler Wright to also make the final eight as the competition finally got underway after days of waiting.

Picklum, who is already qualified for the Paris Olympics, said her experience last year at the event was a help, and the pressure of defending was no issues.

“(It) just adds another story in your brain. It’s not pressure but just more noise in your head,” Picklum said after setting up a quarter-final showdown with American Lakey Peterson before surfing ended for the day.

“It’s all good - it means that I can surf this wave and I have the ability to take it out, so let’s do it again.”

Molly Picklum at the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Photo by Tony Heff/World Surf League)

Nicholls will take on Bettylou Sakura Johnson in their quarter-final after the local star took out Australian Sally Fitzgibbon, who won her opening heat in the best showing of the season so far.

Aussies Jack Robinson, Liam O’Brien and Ryan Callinan all remain alive in the men’s event with just two days left in the window to crown a winner.