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WSL organisers are hopeful of a conclusion to the season-opening event on the Gold Coast on Monday after calling off competition on Sunday.

Australians Wade Carmichael and Sally Fitzgibbons' charge toward a Gold Coast title has been delayed after World Surf League organisers pulled the pin on Sunday's surfing.

Keen for a return to the traditional Snapper Rocks venue from Duranbah Beach, men's quarter-finals and women's semi-finals were on standby on Sunday until a decision was made to head home at 1pm AEDT.

Carmichael is the lone Australian in the final eight of the men's Quiksilver Pro, with fit-again two-time world champion John John Florence of Hawaii and Brazil's world No.1 Gabriel Medina among the favourites.

Fitzgibbons will face Hawaii's Carissa Moore in the women's semi-finals as she chases an elusive Boost Mobile Pro victory.

After four days at Duranbah Beach, organisers resisted the urge to return to the traditional venue at Snapper Rocks on Saturday - despite seriously considering a late-afternoon switch.

The expected Sunday swell didn't arrive at Snapper Rocks to force the event into a sixth day.

Saturday saw the exit of world No.1 Stephanie Gilmore in a shock upset on her home wave to 17-year-old American upstart Caroline Marks, while fellow Australians Reef Heazlewood, Owen and Mikey Wright were all beaten in the men's round of 16.