The GOAT King!

EMOCEAN: According to Kelly, it's the sweetest victory of his very long career. Photo WSL / Heff

You have to start thinking that he is heading for the moniker of all-time GOAT of the universe of all sport. The 11-time world champion won the Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), over local hero Seth Moniz (HAW) in pumping 8-12ft But I just savoured this. This is the best win of my lifesurf. With a near-perfect score of 18.77 on his 30th year surfing amongst the world’s best, Slater earned his 56th CT victory.

“I don’t even know what to say,” said Slater. “I was out there just telling myself to be in the moment, no matter how much tension there is. Just breathe. So I was just breathing, being in the moment. I thought Seth (Moniz) broke the combo because of the crowd and I said, ‘Just stay in the moment, soak it up.' But I just savoured this. This is the best win of my life.”

The exhaustion from two previous heats in demanding conditions felt palpable as Slater and Moniz wiped out on their first few rides in the Final. Ten minutes in, the 49-year-old turned the heat up with an extra-long forehand barrel at Backdoor for a 9-point ride and a commanding early lead.

HALF HIS AGE: In one week, when Kelly turns 50, Seth Moniz will be half his age. Photo WSL / Heff

While the Hawaiian’s attempts remained unsuccessful, Slater continued to build momentum with a 7.17 to put Moniz in a combination situation needing two scores to challenge him for the title. Far from content with a 16+ total, Slater found a third gem at Backdoor to improve his backup score to 8.17.

With two minutes on the clock, and while the heat result was all but final, both surfers locked into insane back-to-back 9+ point barrels at Backdoor and had the huge crowds erupting on the beach, putting a final exciting touch to an incredible week of high-performance surfing.

Earlier in the day, Slater won heats against Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Miguel Pupo (BRA) in dominating fashion. Igarashi had a 3-0 record against the now eight-time Pipeline event winner until their Quarterfinal bout. Unfortunately for Pupo, the heat began with an interference on him as Slater looked to go Backdoor and Pupo had his eyes on Pipeline, which was deemed a non-makeable wave.

NO LOSERS: After an emotional final, the boys gathered their composure. Photo WSL / Heff

In only his third season on the CT, Moniz continued to impress with a massive result, a runner-up finish on his home turf. A favourite when it comes to big, hollow waves, the Hawaiian was lifted by the support of huge crowds on the beach at Pipeline.

“We had a special moment before our Final and it was really special sharing a Final with him out there,” said Moniz. “Honestly, I felt like I was just out there watching him surf underneath me and every time he got a wave it was an eight or nine, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, here we go.’ I took some beatings in the heat before and I was really tired and making some big mistakes, but it was an honor to surf against him.”

Despite falling short of a Pipeline title, Moniz earned a career-best CT result with a runner-up finish after dismantling two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) in the Quarterfinals. Moniz also had to overcome wildcard, former CT surfer, Caio Ibelli (BRA), who couldn’t keep pace with the proven Pipeline specialist.

AIR DROPS: No-one can air-drop into Backdoor Pipeline quite like Kelly Slater. Photo WSL / Heff

With the winds continuing to create less optimal conditions throughout the day, the WSL consulted with the surfers and decided to hold the remaining women’s heats for another day.

When the competition resumes, the modern-era “Queen of Pipeline” Moana Jones Wong (HAW) takes on two-time WSL Champion, defending Pipeline victory, Tyler Wright (AUS), in Semifinal Heat 1 before California’s Lakey Peterson does battle with five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW).

For highlights from today's competition, please visit www.WorldSurfLeague.com

GOOFY QUEEN: Moana Jones Wong is known as the Queen of Pipeline. Photo WSL / Bielmann

Men’s Final Results
1 - Kelly Slater (USA) 18.77
2 - Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.530

Men’s Semifinal Results
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 9.76 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.58
HEAT 2: Seth Moniz (HAW) 13.50 def. Caio Ibelli (BRA) 6.330

Men’s Quarterfinal Results
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 14.17 def. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.50
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 8.10 def. Lucca Mesinas (PER) 6.00
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) 17.93 def. John John Florence (HAW) 16.67
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.67 def. Samuel Pupo (BRA) 1.734

Women’s Semifinal Matchups
HEAT 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 2: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Lakey Peterson (USA)s