Frames: Incomparable Tahiti

By the third heat of the day, waves were higher than triple-overhead, making Kai Otton (AUS), John John Florence (HAW), and Brett Simpson look very small.

Owen Wright (AUS) locked into a massive barrel in Round 5 for a 9.40, but he would soon outdo himself. He registered a 9.87 and a Perfect 10 on his following two rides.

Kolohe Andino (USA) notched the first nine-point ride of the day, belting a 9.63 in the second heat of Round 5.

Adrian Buchan (AUS) set the bar when he logged an excellent 8.83 in the first heat of the day.

With just one nine-pointer on a finals day when nines were practically throwaways, John John Florence (HAW) went ballistic in the Quarterfinals, hitting a 9.80 out of the gates.

Rookie Dion Atkinson (AUS) left Tahiti with his best WCT finish -- an equal fifth -- and grabbed a nine-pointer on his final wave for good measure.

Owen Wright (AUS) took a playful claim after notching the event's fourth Perfect 10.

John John Florence (HAW) lived up to the hype when he opened his Semifinal heat against Kelly Slater (USA) with a 9.90.

Kelly Slater (USA) one-upped Florence with a 10-point ride on his opening wave.

Florence went toe-to-toe with the 11-time World Champion, forcing a tie in the dying seconds of the Semis.

Florence was eliminated in the Semis despite have four nine-point rides. His total scoreline matched Slater's, but the ASP tiebreak rule awards the advance to the surfer with the highest single-wave score. Florence left Tahiti with 10 nines and a Perfect 10.

Gabriel Medina (BRA) dominated his Semifinal heat over Bede Durbidge (AUS), registering back-to-back nines on his opening waves.

Water Patrol had a busy day as surfers fought the turbulent white water and rag-dolled in heavy wipeouts.

Kelly Slater (USA), hot off an epic battle with John John Florence, grabbed a midrange nine against Medina in the Final.

Gabriel Medina (BRA) had jaw-dropping takeoffs all day. His performance in the Final included five scores in the excellent range, three of them nine-point rides.

Medina's victory ride on the ski, heading to shore to celebrate.

Despite losing his Quarterfinal to Kelly Slater, Aussie Owen Wright still won big. He was named the 2014 recipient of the Andy Irons Most Committed Performance Award.

Gabriel Medina (BRA) didn't have the highest single-wave score in the Final but his stellar 18.96 heat total earned him top honors.

Medina, overwhelmed in his post-Final heat with Rosy Hodge.

One last kick-out claim for Medina.

Medina headed into the channel, victorious.

Slater had the highest single-wave score of the Final, notching a 9.63 on his second wave, but his last-minute barrel came in .03 shy of the score he needed to win.