In 2005, Andy Irons was the two time defending world champ when he matched up with Kelly Slater in the final at J-Bay.
This was smack in the middle of a heated rivalry between the two, so it was only fitting they would meet in the final, and that the final would be decided on the very last wave.
With :30 on the clock and needing a 9.23 (and with Irons already on the beach), Slater took off on a clean J-bay wall and attacked the lip. Well, sorta. The first two turns were OK, the second and third were nice, and then he fell doing a floater at the end.
The score? A 9.5.
18 years on, that score feels…well, generous. But, for context, surfing looked much different in 2005, and when you compare the waves from Irons earlier in the heat, Slater’s score does seem justified, or at least very close to it.
The crazy thing is, if you compare Slater’s surfing then and now at J-Bay, it’s obvious how much better he’s gotten with age.
Of course, so has the next generation.
To highlight our point, check the clip of Ethan Ewing warming up at J-Bay above. It’s a pretty great indication of just how far surfing has come.
If J-Bay is this good for the comp, who’s gonna beat Ewing? Honestly: How much better can you ride a wave?
***
Don’t miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We’re always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you’re a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.