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Surfing superstar Stephanie Gilmore is expected to compete in the season-opening WSL event in Hawaii despite entering COVID-19 protocols.

Surfing superstar Stephanie Gilmore is expected to be able to compete at the World Surf League season opener in Hawaii despite being placed into isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test.

The seven-time world champion has entered the WSL's COVID-19 protocols but should be cleared for competition by Monday.

The window for the opener at the famous Pipeline break, usually reserved for the men, starts on Sunday.

If Gilmore is not cleared to compete for the opening round, however, she can drop into the second-round elimination heats.

The historic start to the 2022 championship comes after last year's Maui Pro was shifted to Pipeline from Honolua Bay midway through proceedings after a fatal shark attack in nearby waters.

Australian rookies Molly Picklum and India Robinson will join Isabella Nichols, Tyler Wright, Sally Fitzgibbons and Gilmore on the women's tour this year.

There is an eight-strong Australian contingent in the men's field, headlined by Olympian Owen Wright.