No matter who you are, even if you normally despise competition surfing, you can’t help but look at this 2014 heat between Kelly Slater and John John Florence in Tahiti as a thing of beauty. Giant waves. Two extraordinarily gifted athletes. And an average wave score of 9.89. They were both feeling it. Yes, Kelly outlasted John John, but barely, then went on to lose to Gabriel Medina in the final. Both Slater and JJF looked stoked after, despite the fact that one of them had to lose. This one is definitely a classic. But is it the greatest CT heat ever? Or is that reserved for Kelly vs. Andy Irons’ 2006 Pipeline final?
