The 2025 Pipe Pro rolled through the men’s rounds of 32 and 16 with some well overhead barrels. Five waves stood out in the excellent scoring range. While Jack Robinson and Barron Mamiya rode home with perfect 10s, John John Florence, Al Cleland, and Kelly Slater just missed the mark.
And some fans did not agree:
“Al’s wave was way better.”
“If Barron’s wave was a 10, John’s was a 12.”
“Judges, it’s ok to have two 10s in one heat.”
Surfing is highly subjective, and the scoring isn’t always clear. The WSL Rules and Regulations state that five judges score a wave on a scale of 1 to 10. Toss out the high and low scores, then average the rest. Waves are scored on elements like commitment, degree of difficulty, variety, speed, and power., etc., etc.
At Pipe, it’s obviously all about barrels.
In the round of 32 heat between Al and Robbo, Cleland struck first with a two-section barrel described by an announcer as “so late, under the lip, as late as you can possibly be.” Al took off late (48-second mark, above), stood tall in the barrel, held the line into the second section, and pulled out in a maelstrom of whitewater. It was committed, fast, powerful, and he didn’t pump once. The judges called it a 9.50.
Jack Robinson’s wave was “as big as a Backdoor wave can be ridden.” A late, sketchy airdrop take off, an exit after the spit, and a bigger wave that looked prettier. A real crackerjack of a ride. Robbo got a well deserved 10. You can’t rob the Robbo.
Slater’s wave in the round of 16 was “intense…that drop took a ton of commitment. The judges love that word: commitment.” Slater got a 9.33 (1:29, above). It was a long barrel, but not the longest of the day. Slater wasn’t robbed — and he picked up his 100th heat win at Pipe — but throw the GOAT a bone. Being 53 and doing what he just did is the epitome of commitment and difficulty.
Mamiya went off against Florence. His opening wave was “as late as you can possibly be.” Sounds familiar. Mamiya scored the 10. The Prodigy’s jacked up airdrop was on a knife’s edge, critical, under the lip, and fully committed. Mamiya came out with the spit on a shorter ride.
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Finally we have John (above). His wave was “deep, deep… cavernous.” John did two technical pumps to pick up insane speed, navigated the foam ball, and covered a long distance. Even Mamiya — who rightfully won the heat — was floored: “It was one of the best Backdoor waves I’ve ever seen. He got a 10 huh?” He did not. John snagged a 9.63.
The lack of 10s left fans wondering what the hell the judges were thinking. Al took off late — as late as possible — and rode in the barrel longer than Jack. John easily doubled Mamiya’s tube time and navigated the foam ball like Mamiya did the drop. Opinions varied, but the overall consensus was that Al and John deserved 10s.
Judging ain’t easy in a subjective sport where the playing field shifts from wave to wave. But some waves — especially when directly back dropped against another in the same heat — are left underscored.
Final verdict? Welcome to competitive surfing.
