A mix of local and international surfers thrived in perfect conditions as the Billabong Pipeline Masters began competition yesterday on the North Shore.

The barreling 4- to 8-foot (10- to 16-foot wave-face heights) tubes were plentiful, allowing competitors in Rounds 1 and 2 to post high scoring rides throughout the day.

ASP World Tour surfer Chris Ward, 29, scored the highest two-wave total of the event, a 19.90 out of a possible 20 points. In the process, the San Clemente, Calif., native also caught the highest scoring ride of the day—a 9.77 out of 10—on a breathtaking Pipeline barrel.

“;It isn't the biggest day. It isn't really that scary out there. It's just pristine and there's pretty good ones out there,”; Ward said. “;You just gotta luck out and get in the right position to get 'em. I was (on) both of those waves and those were two of the biggest sets in our heat. I was lucky to get under 'em and I was really happy.”;

“;In a heat it doesn't get any better than that,”; Ward said. “;I'm just happy to be out there and happy to be in Hawaii.”;

Ward is still in the hunt for World Tour requalification next year, but is extremely impressed with the young surfers stepping up on the North Shore.

“;The majority of us come to Hawaii just to surf this wave and it's always been one of my favorite waves since the day I started surfing,”; Ward said. “;It's good to see all the up-and-coming kids on the North Shore just charging. They look so comfortable (surfing Pipe), like John John (Florence) and all the Kauai boys coming up. It's just fun to watch them grow up and charge.”;

North Shore native Florence, 16, scored the second highest two-wave total of the day, a 17.90 out of 20. Florence is a Pipeline local and was having a great time out at his home break.

“;There are a couple of fun waves out there. I'm having so much fun,”; Florence said. “;Surfing at Pipe with only four guys out is the best thing ever.”;

In 2005, at age 13, Florence became the youngest Billabong Pipeline Masters and Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competitor in history.

“;I surfed out here when I was really little and I really didn't do that good,”; Florence said. “;The waves were big, weird and washing through. I didn't get very many good ones. I'm so stoked to be surfing when the waves are perfect like this.”;

Florence was able to surf perfect Pipe as a wild card and advanced out of his first round heat, defeating Australian World Tour surfer Jay Thompson. Thompson failed to re-qualify for the 2009 tour with the loss.

Florence wasn't the only teenage, Hawaii-born surfer taking out big names.

Maui's Dusty Payne, 19, defeated Tahiti's Manoa Drollet and Brazil's Leonardo Neves yesterday. Currently, Payne is in the lead for the overall Vans Triple Crown of Surfing title.

But, the Maui boy is more concerned with avoiding an embarrassing performance at Pipe than chasing the Triple Crown.

“;I just don't want to go out there and look like a kook,”; Payne said. “;I'm not thinking about the Triple Crown at all. I'm just going out, having fun each heat and hopefully I end up on top.”;

The third jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the Billabong Pipeline Masters, will most likely resume competition today. Florence will be surfing in the first heat of the day in the second round, while Payne and Ward are already seeded into the third round.

Call 596-SURF to see if the Billabong Pipeline Masters is on.