Photo: Tony Heff/WSL
At the time of this video’s release, the World Surf League has awarded seven 10-point wave scores on the 2024 Championship Tour and Challenger Series. The WSL did not include the numerous exquisite tubes threaded at the Nias Pro QS on this list, as there were more 10s present than a Lionel Messi fan convention. Let’s review the best waves of the year in sequential order below.
Molly Picklum’s backside bomb in the semi-final of the Pipeline Pro was the first 10-pointer of the year. After the women had surfed in dismal conditions the day before, her wave quite literally signaled the start of a new day and set the standard for what became a banner year for the women’s CT in waves of consequence.
Barron Mamiya’s 10 got him the with over John John Florence in the final at Pipeline. It vaulted the young Hawaiian into rare territory as he can claim two CT wins at Pipeline and Sunset Beach. It was an absurdly steep drop followed by a running chamber that required Barron to pump the pedal to the medal while holding his rail backside. Difficult does not begin to describe it. Britt Merrick and the Channel Islands Surfboard team appropriately lose their minds on the sand.
Many have waxed prosaic about John’s relationship with Margaret River, so we need not delve deep into it. But the explosive layback he pulled against an in-form wildcard George Pittar again reminded us that John’s true difference point is unlocked in the juice. It was a turn not many can pull, and even fewer have pulled it at Margs.
Photo: Beatriz Ryder/WSL
Tatiana’s ride in Tahiti was quite possibly the heaviest ride a woman has paddled into at Teahupo’o, and certainly in competition at the venue. You could tell right away it was something special for the 28-year-old, who has steadily progressed her barrel game ever since she joined the tour a decade ago. Remarkably, she didn’t win this semifinal heat as local wildcard Vahine Fierro got a high 9 and an 8, compared to Tatian’s 10 and a 6. A tough result, but it was the wave of her life. Can’t complain too hard.
Photo: Matt Dunbar/WSL
Speaking of Teahupo’o Gabriel Medina reminded everyone why he is the shallow-water master at this special stretch of reef. This was trademark Gabriel: take off super deep and ride the foamball to glory. All due respect to Jake Marshall, who put up a solid heat total of 15.23, but this heat was the Gabriel show. He called the score with the 10-finger salute when he came out, and the judges agreed.
Photo: Aaron Hughes/WSL
John’s second 10 of the year came in El Salvador, an event he dominated from start to finish. His maneuver list on this wave in sequential order: a massive alley-oop (reminiscent of his 2013 Kerramas air), a searing wrap, a pocket jam and a closing snap. It was vintage John, and his win at Punta Roca would help solidify his spot as the No. 1 seed in the WSL Finals, which of course led to his third world title.
Related: 2024 El Salvador Pro Recap: Next Level High Performance Surfing
Now we move to the Challenger Series and Ronnie Blakey’s hoarse voice as he watched Erin Brooks come out of a screaming backside barrel at full-throttle Snapper Rocks. Textbook form from the 17-year-old phenom on a wave that would have at least a dozen hungry Aussies jousting for position. Erin would go on to win the event, but this barrel should be her lasting memory from a successful Queensland session.
Related: Interview: Erin Brooks Is About To Enter The Chat At Cloudbreak
Macy Callaghan got the first 10-point ride ever on the women’s Challenger Series when she needed it. Trailing with 6 minutes left versus India Robinson and needing a 4.83 at pumping Snapper, Macy cleanly went in and out of a dreamy overhead right then hit two turns for an extra bonus, but the tube alone got the score.
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