A lay day has been called in the rich Beachley Classic women's world surfing tour event which appears unlikely to resume until Sunday.

Contest director Layne Beachley opted to put the event on hold ahead of the sudden-death third round heats with very little surf on offer at Sydney's Dee Why and Curl Curl beaches on Thursday.

A southerly pulse of swell is expected through Sunday into Monday which will likely produce one metre waves across south-facing Northern Sydney beaches. "Ideally, we'll see some improved conditions by the end of the weekend," said Beachley.

When competition resumes, three-time world champion Stephanie Gilmour will take on friend and wildcard winner Laura Enever in her third round heat. Contest organisers will meet at 7am on Friday to make the next call on whether to resume competition.