Where's Wardo? In Bali, getting tubed and winning comps. Photo: Mick Curley

That's former Rip Curl Cup Padang winner Jamie O'Brien welcoming yet another perfect set to arguably the best freesurf contest in the world. Photo: Mick Curley

Mega Semahdi grew up just down the Bukit Peninusla reefs at Bingin, so his runner-up finish was no surprise. "If you win you win, if you lose you lose," said Mega. "Either way, it's an epic day. From 32 surfers all the way to four, I got to surf four heats. That's more than two hours surfing perfect, empty Padang Padang. That's a gift right there." Photo: Mick Curley

Mega is actually a hindu priest by his birth lineage, so he knows to give thanks after each Padang blessing. (Check out a Surfline interview with Mega here.) Photo: Mick Curley

Java's Dede Suryana is a constant fixture on the Indo pro scene. He finished fourth in the final. Photo: Mick Curley

West Oz's Ry Craike settled for third in the final. But being a goofyfooter when Padang is looking like this was a prize in and of itself. "I'm down here having a good time," Craike smiled. "Everyone is getting so barreled." Photo: Mick Curley

JOB won this event back in 2009 and, this time of year, makes it a point to return to Bali anytime a solid swell is lining up. Photo: Mick Curley

Bethany Hamilton was awarded the wildcard into the event. "I only surfed Padang Padang for two solid swells but I immediately fell in love with the wave," Hamilton said. "It's challenging but then once you get a barrel you are just so exhilarated." Photo: Mick Curley

When long, Indian Ocean lines wrap through Padang, the common spectator reaction is generally to pull out a camera or point in awe. Photo: Mick Curley

UK's Tom Lowe, leaning into a bomb. Padang is the last place on the Bukit to turn on and the surf has to be over six-feet for it to awaken...meaning, this was a very solid swell. Photo: Mick Curley

Garut Widiarta was among the many Indo locals to score Padang with only three other guys in the water. Photo: Mick Curley

Picturesque Padang Padang. Photo: Mick Curley

Bali kingpin Rizal Tanjung knows the wave at Padang better than probably anyone else in the world. However, he wasn't able to muster up the points to make the final. Photo: Mick Curley

Ozzie Wright is another freesurfer who will put on a jersey if it means scoring uncrowded A-plus surf. Photo: Mick Curley

Shades of Ozzie (in Bali). Photo: Mick Curley

Darmaputra Tonjo was one of 16 Indonesian surfers to make up the 32-man invite-only field. Photo: Mick Curley

Flynn Novak is no stranger to perfect lefts. He splits his winters between Rocky Lefts and Pipeline. Photo: Mick Curley

Ry Craike, standing tall in the final. Photo: Mick Curley

Needing an 8.25 to take the lead, Ward realized his hefty shack sealed the victory the moment he was spit out in the channel and heard the cheers erupt from the cliffs and channel. "I knew I had it," Ward said. "I knew it was an 8.5 for sure." Photo: Mick Curley

"Last year, I had an onshore heat and didn't even get barreled and lost in the first round," Wardo revealed. "Today it was a completely different story. I was feeling it all day out there. This year Padang gave me the waves." Photo: Mick Curley