Rip Curl: Miguel Pupo has been a stand-out throughout the contest, yet despite hucks like this he couldn't put it together against Taylor Knox early this morning in their Round 5 clash and leaves San Fran with an equal 9th. Photo: Cestari/ASP
Rip Curl: Early bird gets the worm. Taylor Knox took out Miguel Pupo in the first heat of the day this morning, then went on to take out Kieren Perrow in the Quarters. Photo: Cestari/ASP
Rip Curl: Kieren Perrow needed a good result here in San Fran... and he got it. He floated his way to the Quarterfinals before going down to fellow Tour legend Taylor Knox. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
Rip Curl: Owen Wright looked out of sorts this morning against Joel Parkinson in thier Round 5 heat. Owen settles for equal 9th. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
Rip Curl: They're adorable, but they're also shark bait. It's never a pleasant feeling seeing these guys show up in the line-up, especially after Dusty Payne's fin scare on Day 1. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Wilko's run met its end in Round 5. He heads to Hawaii on the dreaded "bubble". Photo: Kirstin/ASP
Rip Curl: Joel Parkinson has quietly surfed his way to Finals day, as he consistently had heats in the worst conditions of each day. But with low-tide Ocean Beach pumping in plenty of quality waves, Parko came alive and raced to the Final to face Wonderboy Gabriel
Rip Curl: Kelly fans will do anything these days - including wade through 55 degree (F) water to get a closer look at him. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: That's one helluva jam-packed loser's interview. The King went down to the Kid (Gabriel Medina) today. Yes, the comparisons are flying around. Photo: Kirstin/ASP
Rip Curl: Slater was smooth, but not smooth enough for Gabriel Medina in their quarterfinal clash. Photo: Cestari/ASP
Rip Curl: Aside from Gabriel Medina, Josh Kerr was the stand-out surfer of the event. He went down to Parko in the quarters. Photo: Cestari/ASP
Rip Curl: Parko couldn't pull it together against Gabriel Medina in the Final, though he was happy to be back on the podium after a long dry spell this year. Photo: Cestari/ASP
Rip Curl: The locals carry guns. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Not a bad wrap-around for a 40-year-old. Taylor Knox has been ageless this week. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Alex Smith and a couple of other San Francisco 49ers showed up to watch contest and meet Kelly. The 'Niners are 7-1 this year, so they've got lots to smile about. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Kelly analyzing Kerrzy's 9.5. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: The first of many foamy ones on victory day for Gabriel Medina. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Ocean Beach once again pumped out rampy A-frames all day long. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Perfect track, perfect hack. Gabriel Medina, nabbing yet another sick photo today. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Despite it being a monday here in San Fran, the beach was absolutely packed when the call was made that we would finish the contest today. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: It's been a blur of success in the back half of the season this year for Gabriel Medina. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Owen Wright exiting the water quite unhappily after being ousted by Parko in Round 5 this morning. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: Kieren Perrow was another veteran who enjoyed one of his better results in a long time. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: Taylor Knox had another great result today. This season's been one of Knox's better ones in a long time. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: Parko. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: There was much speculation on what the crowds would be like here in Ocean Beach, but day in and day out they crowds turned up. In fact, when Kelly came out of that incredible barrel after the buzzer in his Round 4 heat yesterday, the roars of applause sou
Rip Curl: In the 20 minute break before the Final, Ocean Beach's finest rippers headed out in the water for an expression session. Nate McCarthy took the spoils. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Rip Curl: Gabriel Medina was in the air as much as he was on the face today. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: Parko was well-rounded in the shifty Ocean Beach peaks today. Photo: Dan Warbrick
Rip Curl: Parko was calculated today, but not explosive enough. Photo: Dan Warbrick