Local raider Tim Stevenson came close to causing a major upset on day one of the men's World Surf League event at Bells Beach when he almost knocked off the reigning world champion.

Three days after winning the trials event to gain the last spot in the main draw, the big-wave devotee from Jan Juc - the town right next door to the iconic Victorian break - gave Brazilian Adriano De Souza a fright.

De Souza beat Stevenson by just 0.63 of a point in dwindling conditions to go straight through to the third round.

Stevenson now faces a sudden-death clash in round two against another Brazilian, Italo Ferreira.

"Everyone was excited about how well Stevenson performed in that heat, so I am happy to make this heat," De Souza said.

"It was important for me to go straight to round three.

"We had a tough heat as waves disappeared and the tide was coming in.

"I am lucky to have found the wave right before the buzzer."

Even before their heat had finished, organisers had decided it would be the last of the day on Friday as they anticipate much bigger swells through the Easter long weekend.

The last three world champions won their round-one heats before the day's action ended, with Australian Mick Fanning (2013) and De Souza's compatriot Gabriel Medina (2014) also successful.

Australian pair Davey Cathels and Julian Wilson also joined American Kanoa Igarashi in reaching the third round, with half the 12 three-man heats completed.

Stevenson had to take time off from work so he could compete in the trials.

He had a promising junior surfing career, but took four years off to work in the WA mines.

Stevenson was content to free surf, chasing big waves around the world, but last year decided to return to competition.

On Friday he nearly claimed the biggest scalp in the men's tour.

With three minutes left in their heat, De Souza trailed Stevenson and Michel Bourez from French Polynesia.

The Brazilian scored a 6.23 to take the lead, but had an anxious wait as Stevenson also had a good ride in the last minute.

Stevenson scored a 5.27, falling just short 11.23 to 10.6.

Big names yet to have their round-one heats include Kelly Slater, Joel Parkinson and Matt Wilkinson, who won the opening world tour event at Snapper Rocks.