Of course, it’s early in the year and we’ve got a long, long way to go, but that was perhaps the best contest of 2016. That is, as far as waves are concerned. Conditions couldn’t have been better. Legendary surf photographer Brian Bielmann said it was the best Pipe he’d seen in over three years. And that final? Amazing! Watching three of Hawaii’s finest Pipe specialists up against Kelly Slater in that 30-minute super heat (in utter perfect Pipe conditions) was nothing short of transcendent. Best event of 2016 or not, that was truly a bitchin’ contest and it would be a sin not to reminisce.
See more of Davin’s photography on his website.