Nichols, Callaghan relegated at Margaret River cut-off

Macy Callaghan has been sent back to the World Surf League wilderness along with defending event champion Isabella Nichols after the Australian pair were day-one casualties at the Margaret River Pro.

The duo were equal 10th entering the West Australian event, the fifth and final stop on the Championship Tour (CT) before the mid-season cut.

Neither were able to fire a shot on Thursday in moderate swell, losing their opening heats and then both finishing a distant last in the elimination round to be the first two surfers dumped from contention.

Starting on the cut-line, they are certain to be overtaken and forced to qualify for the 2024 top tour on the Challenger Series (CS).

"I'm obviously gutted," a teary Callaghan, who dominated last year's CS to return to the top tour, said.

"Back on the Challenger Series, it's not the end of the world but over the past events I've realised how much I care.

"I'll give it another go and see how I go. I'll get the next flight home, regroup and get ready."

Nichols produced clutch surfing to claim a maiden CT event win at the same break last season, a result she needed to sneak into the top-10 and remain on tour.

But, fresh off a semi-final showing at Bells Beach, she struggled for rhythm on Thursday and a costly decision sealed her fate in the elimination heat.

Taking off on the first wave of the set with priority, Nichols quickly jumped off and watched her two rivals score well on the waves that followed.

"It's crazy having one of the best days of my life here last year and now one of my worst," Nichols said.

"That's competitive sports for you."

The Gold Coast Pro at Snapper Rocks is the first CS event from May 6, but Nichols will wait a few days before joining Callaghan at Coolangatta.

"Stay here, get good waves, drink good wine .. that might be the option for me," she said.

Earlier in the day, Australians Tyler Wright, Stephanie Gilmore, current No.1 Molly Picklum and Sally Fitzgibbons all progressed comfortably.

Ranked 13th, Fitzgibbons likely needs to beat Caitlin Simmers in the third round to retain hopes of a top-10 berth.

Defending world champion Gilmore began the event in ninth, narrowly ahead of the chasing pack.

The men's field will be narrowed to 22 after the Margaret Ricer Pro and action won't begin until Friday at the earliest, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater among those currently outside the cut.

Australia's reigning Margaret River men's champion and current world No.2 Jack Robinson (knee) has withdrawn from the event due to injury and was replaced by compatriot Jack Thomas.  

The Yallingup youngster faces a tough start, up against Slater and the No.1-ranked Brazil star Joao Chianca in his opening-round heat.