Competing for Great Britain at the event in Piha, Aukland, in New Zealand, both fell victim to tough draws in the opening round.
Elms had the likes of current ASP junior world champion Maxime Huscenot to contend with in the first heat and finished third, scoring 5.25.
It was a similar story for Chapman as he found himself facing two top Frenchmen, and team-mate Beau Bromham from the UK, in his heat which he finished in fourth with 3.15.
With only the top two competitors progressing into round two both will have to battle it out in the repercharge heats later today to make it back into the main event.
