Watch: The Best Heat of the Year (Before the Contest Even Starts)

While the surf world’s attention was fixed on two-foot, onshore Huntington Beach for Finals Day at the US Open of Surfing, the best heat of the season (so far) was going down 4,500 miles away at Teahupo’o during the Tahiti Pro trials event.

During the finals of the event, two local heavyweights, Matahi Drollet and Eimeo Czermak, squared up against each other as the tangerine Tahitian sun set over the Pacific Ocean with perfect, overhead sets hitting the reef. Both surfers scored perfect 10s in the heat; Matahi ended up getting the win, and securing a spot in the main event.

It was arguably the best heat of the year…before the actual contest even started.

As reported previously, the Championship Tour has been somewhat cursed in terms of waves this season, with a pre-contest swell leading into poor conditions during the event window for many locations on the docket.

Could that be the case with Chopes?

Forecast ain’t lookin’ good. Here’s some comments on the WSL’s post of Matahi’s 10:

“Will the curse continue? Good waves prior to the main event and bad surfing conditions during event window”

“Trials: 8-12ft Main event: 3-5ft”

“What’s the forecast for the main event? 2-3’ bad direction, rotator gets a 10 and wins it?”

“Can’t wait to watch airs win it in 3ft waves in the contest. Whole tour needs an overhaul. 2 best waves on tour (pipe & chopes) have had nightmare forecasts this year.”

Stay tuned; the Shiseido Tahiti Pro kicks off August 11th.

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