There’s always at least one heat worth watching when it comes to round three. Today it was Gabriel Medina versus John John Florence – two of the best surfers in the world, squared off at friendly 4 – 6 foot Teahupo’o, both with nothing to lose. Medina and Florence are ranked 15th and 14th respectively and despite having a fairly poor year by their standards (Florence has been injured and missed two events this season), we knew there would always be fireworks when the pair met.
Six nine point rides were dropped during the heat as the lead went back and forth, both competitors upping the ante with every exchange. Medina took the lead with less than eight minutes to go, disappearing behind the curtain before emerging on the foam ball, his arm extended high, finger pointing to the sky. Kelly later claimed it to be the heat of the year – and if that’s not enough motivation to watch the recap above then we don’t know what is.
