This is what CB looked like about an hour after Contest Director Matt Wilson called the event off due to "bad wind." Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Reef McIntosh was calling it "all-time-best-ever" and he should know, he's been here for most of the big ones. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Surfline's official forecast called for "surf conditions and quality to improve throughout the day," which is pretty much exactly what happened. "The vibe in the lineup was amazing," Greg Long explained. "Close friends exchanging some of the best waves we've ever ridden for the entire day." Photo: Tom Servais

Teahupoo or Cloudbreak? Note how Healey's board in the lip is not a tow board -- everyone was paddling this day, something you can't do at Teahupoo when it's this size. (Healey ripped his leash off on this one.) "Once they called it off, it just started pulsing and the sets started getting bigger and better with each one," said Maui charger Ian Walsh. Photo: ASP/Robertson

The last two heats of R2 were the only ones that ended up running today. Bede Durbidge and Adam Melling - the two guys in the first heat -- survey the conditions during one of many 'Hold' calls in the morning. 'Uh, you first. No, you. I insist.' Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Bede and Melling paddled out while the whole surf world watched and held its collective breath. They ended up catching a couple solid ones right off the bat and riding 11 waves between 'em. Bede explained that he "had to borrow a 7'4" off Andy King...I wouldn't have wanted to ride anything else." Photo: ASP/Kirstin

In the last heat of R2, Raoni Monteiro pulled into and drove through an absolute beast of a wave but failed to exit through the doggy door. Judges still gave him a seven-something, but he ended up losing and having a hyper-extended ligament in his knee. Photo: Lucia Griggi

Melling on a high-line bomb. Photo: ASP/Robertson

Otton ended up winning his heat against Raoni with seven minutes left as the Brazilian was being treated for his knee. "It's really, really big out there," Otton said. "Really big and really perfect." Photo: Lucia Griggi

Pat Gudang stuck what many, including Slater, called, "one of the heaviest drops of all time." Photo: Tom Servais

After being drug across the reef and torn up during the last swell, Pat was one of the dozen or so 'CT guys to tackle Cloudbreak today. Of course he's smiling. Photo: Tom Servais

Ramon Navarro, the Chilean ghost, going Mach 10. He was one of many non-CT standouts today. Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Many of the big-wave guys have adopted paddle vests when the waves get giant for safety. Doesn't seem to slow 'em down any. Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Where's Danny Fuller, you might ask? In New York having an art show? Malibu modeling? Well, actually, he's right here at Cloudbreak trying to touch the ceiling of a very large wave. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Fuller agreed with Reef's call of "all-time-best-ever," and he's also been here for many of the giant sessions. Photo: Lucia Griggi

"When the thing lined up, I just started stroking and the first look I had at the wall bending down the reef didn't really register 'cause I was so focused on just getting into the wave," Ian Walsh explained. "As I dropped in and finally started looking down the line it looked fake, -- there's so much wall on every wave out there." Photo: ASP/Kirstin

"I remember trying to work to get my board at an angle really quick to get far enough down the line to give myself a chance at making it," Walsh continues. "And once I got in the barrel it felt so empty and fast, but everything seemed to slow down once I got going. All I can remember is just hanging onto my rail and trying to keep myself far enough up the face to keep the speed. It felt like I was packing a closeout that just kept going and growing as it went." Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Makua Rothman was one of many Hawaiians to make the trek over for the swell. You can bet he went to bed a happy man after this one. Photo: Tom Servais

Peanut gallery in the middle of the Pacific. Plus the however many thousand online. Special thanks to whoever gave the nod to continue broadcasting the freesurf after the event was called off. Photo: Lucia Griggi

John John Florence was another CT standout. "Looks like an Oahu Outer Reef," claimed many who should know about such things. Photo: Tom Servais

Jensen Hassett is a Tavarua boatman who's reaping of the rewards of actually having accommodation during the swell/contest. Photo: Tom Servais

Kohl Christensen on a big board and a big, beautiful blue wave. "Guys were riding boards from 10'10" as the biggest to 6'7" at the smallest," explained Dane Gudauskas. Photo: Lucia Griggi

Kaiborg was in overdrive all day, plucking guys from imminent destruction on the reef, often with seconds to spare as sets were mowing 'em down. Amazing work. Photo: Tom Servais

"I chose to ride a 9'0", with my main focus being on trying to ride just the largest sets," explained Greg Long. "Throughout the course of the day I found a few waves, as did nearly everybody who was surfing, that will surely stay in our memories forever. " Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Morning lineup, before the event was called off. "It was such a rush to grab a bigger board off the boat and dive in once the water patrol told us we were going to get another chance to surf," explained Ian Walsh. Photo: Lucia Griggi

"Tubes seemed more makeable this swell than the last," said Dane G. "Not sure in relation to size but there were certainly more successful rides today than last swell. 'CT guys were charging, too." Photo: Tom Servais

"Vibes in the water were soooooo mental, so positive and great camaraderie," Dane continued. "Everyone was pushing so hard. Those guys are beyond freaks and I think everyone left with a smile on their face for sure." Photo: Tom Servais

Here's brother Pat, working on his own smile by stalling for a meaty one. Photo: ASP/Robertson

Reef McIntosh in deep, with audience. "This was the single best day of big waves I think I have ever seen," Ian Walsh explained. "It was like a video game." Photo: ASP/Robertson

Danilo, Kala, Kohl, Kalani...that's one heavy crew right there. The 'CT of big-wave surfing. Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Danilo Couto is actively looking for a way to unite the big-wave community to create a safety fund so PWC are on hand at all big-wave sessions. He also understands that there are moments in big-wave surfing where you're utterly alone. Here's one. Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Kelly Slater looks on in awe. His webcast commentary during the freesurf was the highlight of the event so far. Photo: Lucia Griggi

During his Surfline interview on Wednesday, Damo said, "I'm hoping to wrangle a [big wave] board off someone for Friday's swell. I haven't ever surfed Cloudbreak at the size they're predicting, so I'm interested in getting out there to check it out." He ended up being one of the CT standouts, hands down -- on one of Reef McIntosh's boards. (Thanks, Reef!) Photo: Tom Servais

Two-time event runner-up CJ Hobgood hucks himself over the ledge. Photo: Tom Servais

And reaps the rewards. "I'd love to win a contest anywhere," CJ explains. "I love Fiji and I'd love to be in the final, if I can get there again. Maybe third time will be a charm." Photo: Tom Servais

As you read this, Ceej is probably sleeping, but is no doubt still smiling. Photo: ASP/Robertson

John John was one of the first CT guys to arrive here. He's a quick study. Sequence: Tom Servais

Nathan Fletcher was the first freesurfer to paddle for a wave after the event was called off for the day. He didn't catch it, but here's one a little later on. Photo: ASP/Kirstin

Fletcher: "What, me worry?" Photo: Fred Pompermayer

Healey: man-sized bottom turn into man-sized wave. Photo: Tom Servais

Here's what it looks like when three really good surfers get some of the best waves of their lives. Parko, Makua, Damo. Photo: Lucia Griggi

Parko's currently rated number one on the ASP World Tour, and backed it up with a solid showing in solid Cloudbreak. Photo: ASP/Kirstin