Australian surfer Joel Parkinson's bid to maintain his position at the top of the ASP world championship standings has been put on hold.

A lay day was called at the Rip Curl Pro in Portugal on Tuesday due to small waves at the primary venue of Supertubos.

In the third-last event of the tour, organisers said they'll monitor conditions over the next few days with a "significant storm" forecast.

Parkinson, who holds a slight edge over 11-times champion Kelly Slater and countryman Mick Fanning, faces Hawaiian Dusty Payne in the third round when action resumes.