Olympians Jack Robinson and Ethan Ewing have impressed early in the World Surf League's wave pool competition in Abu Dhabi with dominant opening round victories.
West Australian Robinson, who is more widely known for his skill in heavy conditions, looked right at home in the first event ever held in the UAE.
Ewing, from Queensland, also impressed with a first-up score of 7.50 to set the tone for his heat win.
He backed that up by disappearing inside a deep barrel for a 6.23 ride.
Featuring the same wave technology of the company owned by surfing great Kelly Slater, Surf Abu Dhabi Pro has taken the tour stop of the American's Californian wave pool event.
Robinson's best score came with his first right-hand wave, competing against young Sydneysider George Pittar and Hawaiian Ian Gentil.
The 27-year-old finished his ride with an alley-oop, with his clean landing from the aerial move helping secure a score of 6.93.
In the competition format surfers ride two right-hand waves and two left-handers, with their heat total coming from their two top scores on each side.
Like Ewing, Robinson didn't need to surf his final wave to secure the win while Pittar will head to the evening elimination round placing second.
The Paris Games silver medallist, who scored his first ever 10 in the event in Hawaii, said he felt comfortable in the pool.
"I'm just building but I feel like I've had a fair bit of practice in the pool as I've come over a couple of times," Robinson told the WSL.
"Just getting the confidence, but I feel good here and it's good to get it done because the conditions can change here, it gets a bit windy sometimes."
There's 11 Australians in action in the event, with the women, led by Pipe Pro winner Tyler Wright, to hit the water on Saturday.
