Improved conditions give men a break at Margaret River

Eleven-time WSL champion Kelly Slater needs a big result at the Margaret River Pro. (PR HANDOUT IMAGE PHOTO) (AAP)

Conditions have improved and waves are expected to grow larger, with men's action given the green light at the Margaret River Pro.

Officials twice delayed a call to begin the men's first round on Friday before clearing competition for take-off at the West Australian break.

The event is the fifth and final Championship Tour (CT) stop before the field is cut, with only 10 women and 22 men surviving to contest the back half of the season.

Queensland pair Isabella Nichols and Macy Callaghan felt the brutal nature of the concept on Thursday's opening day, eliminated at the earliest stage and consequently falling outside the cut-line.

Eleven-time WSL champion Kelly Slater needs a big result at the Margaret Pro to make the top four. (Matt Dunbar/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

They will need to qualify for next season's CT by performing well in the second-tier Challenger Series.

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater is among the men outside the cut-line needing a good result to remain in contention.

He will face current No.1 Joao Chianca and Australian replacement Jack Thomas - in for the injured Jack Robinson - in a tricky first round.

All seven Australian CT men have entered the event inside the top-22 cut line.