The waves were not big, but there were definitely moments for fans to cheer.

Australian Jack Freestone posted the day’s highest score — 15.66 out of 20 — in the first round of the Reef Hawaiian Pro on Monday at Alii Beach Park in head-high surf.

The contest is the first jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, and the action finally got under way after nine days of waiting due to small, uncontestable waves.

The 19-year-old Freestone’s highest score was an 8.83 for a large inverted air reverse he caught at a break known as Peaks.

Haleiwa is usually a predominant right breaking straight out, but with a small swell on hand, there were two distinct peaks — the main break out front with right- and left-breaking waves and Peaks, the oneon the far right side.

"I sat on the little rights at Peaks and it sort of went my way — no one came over to hassle me," Freestone said. "I’ve been doing a little bit of training with (six-time Vans Triple Crown champion) Sunny Garcia and he’s sort of giving me the insight to all the places, so big thanks to him. It’s been amazing."

Santa Cruz’s Nat Young had a great heat, too. He scored 14.84 for two waves that consisted of a turn followed by an air reverse.

"The (Triple Crown) is pretty much the biggest surf contest in the world," said Young. "Everybody’s here doing it, so to do good here is a real confidence boost. It’s a really important contest. As of now this could count for qualifying halfway through next year, so that’s real big and it would be awesome to get a good result here."

Hawaii’s Carissa Moore, who captured the ASP Women’s World Tour championship, is expected to surf today in heat 14 against 2007 Reef Hawaiian Pro champion Roy Powers (Kauai), Cory Lopez (Florida) and Maui teenager Ian Gentil.

Moore received a wild-card entry into the Reef Hawaiian Pro, and she showed up to watch her coach, Myles Padaca.

"I am really looking forward to (surfing against the men)," Moore said. "I am just stoked to be able to surf a heat out here at Haleiwa with a few people out. It should be a great opportunity and a lot of fun."

There were a couple of shocking eliminations.

Hawaii’s Garcia and Joel Centeio, the Reef Hawaiian Pro champion in 2009 and the runner-up last year, failed to advance. Several Hawaii surfers made it through the round of 96: Kai Barger (Maui), Sebastien Zietz (Kauai), Mason Ho (Oahu) and Kekoa Bacalso (Oahu).

Bacalso’s heat was the last of the day. He had two low scores with 5 minutes to go and was in jeopardy of elimination. Toward the end of the heat, he did two nice hacks on a right and quickly followed it up with three big snaps on a left in the last couple of minutes.

It happened so fast, no scores were announced and Bacalso came onto the beach not knowing his scores. The unofficial results had Bacalso in third. After a few minutes, the scores were announced with Bacalso advancing.

The event continues today.