Photos of 2015 Pe'ahi Challenge

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This was the first edition of the Pe'ahi Challenge in 2015, the excitement and nerves while waiting in the dark at 4 am at the boat ramp was almost too much and I wasn't even riding the waves.

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Pe'ahi Challenge 9

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Pe'ahi Challenge 7

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Pe'ahi Challenge 6

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pe'ahi Challenge 5

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Pe'ahi Challenge 4

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Pe'ahi Challenge 2

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Pe'ahi Challenge 1

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Billy Kemper elated and exhausted after his win at the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Albee Layer finishing runner-up at the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Billy Kemper victorious at the first Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Ian Walsh continued to perform well during the Semis.

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Ian Walsh during the Semifinals.

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Shaun Walsh during the Semifinals.

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Shaun Walsh was eliminated in the Semifinals of the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Gabriel Villaran during the Semifinals.

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Gabriel Villaran progressing out of the Semifinals.

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Albee Layer rides out cleanly during the Semis.

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Albee Layer stands tall in the barrel during the Semifinals.

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Albee Layer tucks into the barrel in the Semifinals.

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Albee Layer progressing through the Semifinals.

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Billy Kemper during the Semifinals.

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Trevor Carlson during the Semifinals.

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Shaun Walsh during Round 1.

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Yuri Soledade was eliminated in Round 1 of the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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A birds-eye view of Kai Lenny's Round 1 drop.

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Albee Layer during Round 1.

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Billy Kemper makes the drop in Round 1.

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Aaron Gold heading out for Round 1.

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Grant Baker during Round 1.

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A monster goes unridden during Round 1.

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Incoming set.

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Conditions at Pe'ahi.

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Greg Long pulls into what will be the first nine-point ride of the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Greg Long dominated at Pe'ahi, earning a third-place finish.

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Greg Long's freefall into a nine-pointer during Round 1.

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Greg Long makes the drop in Round 1.

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Ian Walsh during Round 1.

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Ian Walsh during Round 1.

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Ian Walsh winning his Round 1 heat.

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Competitors eye a massive set, hoping they won't be caught inside.

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Surfers try to navigate the massive conditions at Pe'ahi.

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Makuakai Rothman was knocked out in the opening round of competition.

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Aaron Gold air drops during Round 1.

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A packed channel of water safety and spectators at the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Trevor Carlson advancing out of Round 1 in third place.

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Trevor Carlson and Patrick Gudauskas during Round 1.

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Daunting conditions.

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An empty wave thunders through during the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Greg Long (USA) in the Pe'aho Challenge Final, where he finished in third place.

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Greg Long at the Pe'ahi Challenge Final.

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A heavy wave goes by at Pe'ahi during the Final.

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Albee Layer was among the frontrunners in the Final for the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Albee Layer (HAW) charges during the Final for the inaugural Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Billy Kemper (HAW) during the Final at the first-ever Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Billy Kemper (HAW) in the Final at Pe'ahi.

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An empty, massive wave at Pe'ahi.

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Gabriel Villaran (PER) moved into third place at the last minute, making his way to the Final.

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Greg Long (USA), pulling in to a huge wave during the Pe'ahi Semifinals.

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Ian Walsh continued to power through big sets successfully in the Semifinals.

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Billy Kemper (HAW) drops in during the Semifinals.

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Ian Walsh during the Semifinals.

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Kai Lenny was eliminated in the Semifinals.

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Carlos Bulre, taking off on a left during the Semifinals of the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Albee Layer dominating his Semifinal heat.

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Carlos Burle (BRA) in the Pe'ahi Semifinal. He lost the heat, but showed massive commitment with late drops and big falls.

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Shane Dorian takes a tumble in the Pe'ahi Challenge Semifinals.

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Lineup at Pe'ahi, with the helicopter overhead.

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Albee Layer (HAW) heads out for his Round 1 heat at Pe'eahi, where he made the Final.

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Albee Layer (HAW) on site at Pe'ahi. He went on to make the Final.

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In Round 1 at Pe'ahi, Albee Layer (HAW) surfed his way to the Semifinals.

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Albee Layer (HAW) on his way to a Round 1 win at the Pe'ahi Challenge.

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Tyler Larronde makes his way to his Round 1 heat in Maui.

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Nic Lamb (USA) finished in second place in his Round 1 heat at Pe'ahi.

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Mark Healey gets ready for his Round 3 at Pe'ahi.

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Carlos Burle (BRA) pulls in under a towering lip during Round 1, Heat 3 at Pe'ahi.

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Koa Rothman sliding down the face of a wave on a major wipeout during Round 1.

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A view of the lineup at the Pe'ahi Challenge.