First-time participant Greg Long () scored a perfect ride to . Long rallied in the final heat of the day, knocking Kelly Slater from the lead.聽
Riders at Waimea Bay, Hawaii were treated to the “largest sustained episode” of big surf in the past forty years, with waves coming in at 40 to 50 feet, according to organizers. Fifty thousand fans packed the shore () even after the event was delayed a day due to weather.
Slater took second in the competition, while Hawaii's own Sunny Garcia and Bruce Irons took third and fourth. Chilean Ramon Navarro rounded out the top five and also managed to grab the Monster Drop Award.
Video of the final heat is below, with more to come.
— Jonah Ogles