The North Shore’s John John Florence put up solid scores in his first competition at Teahupoo, winning his first-round heat at the Billabong Pro Tahiti on Thursday.

Florence’s two-wave score of 17.34 was the second highest of the day and easily good enough to get the better of Miguel Pupo of Brazil and Patrick Gadauskus of California.

Florence, currently No. 5 in the Association of Surfing Professionals world tour rankings, advanced straight into the third round.

Fredrick Patacchia of the North Shore and Dusty Paine of Maui will surf in the second round after finishing second and third in their respective heats on Thrusday.

Paine will take on Jeremy Flores of France when surfing resumes. Patacchia will surf against Bede Durbidge of Australia.