"This is my 30th year surfing out at Pipeline," Slater said. "I know the wave really well and try to put myself in the right place and I know which waves to catch."

Slater's final day performance saw the champ scoop five of the top 10 scores of the entire event (10, 9.83, 9.77, 9.73 and 9.53). Photo: Jeremiah Klein

During the final, Kelly was riding a 6'3" while Mason went with his 7'6". Wiggolly Dantas and Adriano De Souza [not pictured] fell somewhere in between the extremes. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

A look inside the event's only perfect-10. "That was a real memorable one," Slater said. "I'll never forget that wave." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"This is my first final here at Pipeline," runner-up Wiggolly Dantas said. "It's the best feeling ever. Every winter, I stay here four months. For me, Hawaii is the best place ever." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"It feels amazing to make a final at Pipeline; too bad it was against Kelly," Mason Ho joked. "I've always felt like I should be in the final out here, though, because this is where I always surf." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"When Kelly got that nine right away, it was actually kinda nice because when I compete I take it seriously," Mason said of Slater's quick start in the final. "But that instantly made me roust him and have fun. When he drops a score in the beginning, then I get to screw with him. That's how I think heats should be - competitive and a good time." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

After a testing forecast and uncertain winds for the Volcom Pipe Pro, Wednesday dawned with a solid NW swell and ideal offshore (southerly) winds. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"Adriano [De Souza] and I have had a zillion heats together," Slater said. "He was really mellow in that final. I think he was really trying to get his own space. He was trying to get the medium rights and not hassle with any one. Unfortunately for him, the only good wave that came to him he got hassled off of." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

As the afternoon winds swirled a little more westerly, Dusty Payne managed to nab a bounty of the hollow waves...which were becoming increasingly more rare. But he fell just short behind Kelly and Wiggolly in the semis. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

The top eight Hawaiian finishers will earn a spot in the 2014 Billabong Pipe Masters. Dusty and Ola Eleogram are among them. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Eleogram looked to be on track for his second-consecutive Volcom Pipe Pro final, posting some of the highest wave scores in the Round of 32. Then tragedy struck in the quarters when his cranked a hard bottom turn into a big barrel and got caught by a thunderous lip. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Ola's board hit him and broke his leg. He had to be rescued by the Hawaiian Water Patrol, carried up the beach and escorted to hospital where he learned he will need surgery and pins. All the best for a speedy recovery. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"As much experience as you can gain out here is key for sure," said semifinalist Mitch Coleborn. "I had Kelly Slater (in the semis) and kind of fell into his spell a little bit, I think. Just a couple of little mistakes and a couple waves I didn't quite come out of the barrel and that was it." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Brent Dorrington continued his hard-charging assault, which carried him as far as the quarterfinals. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Kiron Jabour crept through the draw by consistently bagging legit tubes in every heat. His semifinal finish puts the young Hawaii surfer into the Pipe Masters this December. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Quarterfinalist Brian Toth, tucking under Pipeline's oversized hook. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

After suffering the largest ejection in Monday's early round action, Brenno continued with reckless abandon. Press play to witness the fearlessnes that saw him through to the quarters. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Florida's Evan Geiselman shocked the North Shore by knocking out three-time champ John John Florence on Monday. However, this mammoth drop wasn't enough to push him into the quarters. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Pipeline temps...look, but don't touch. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Nate Yeomans made the final of this event back in 2012 and knows what it takes to do well out there. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Yeomans scooped this buzzer-beating spitter to advance into the quarters but, ultimately, couldn't push past Wiggolly Dantas. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

With John John out, all eyes were on Jamie O'Brien. But the three-time Pipe Pro champ lost to Mason and Adriano in the Round of 32, only needing a small score. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Kaito Kino, in the slot. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Damien Hobgood draws a different line than most at Pipeline, which equates to some amazing drops and tubes. But after winning his morning heat, Damo fell short in the quarters. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Torrey Meister looked poised to go all the way. The Big Island local emerged from countless Backdoor "closeouts" and kept his run going all the way to the semis. Nonetheless, he's earned his spot in the Pipe Masters. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Conner Coffin had a few amazing tubes in the morning's pristine conditions. He lost out in the quarters. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Nobody is above a beating at Pipeline. Even Kelly Slater. (Except maybe the GoPro providing the aerial footage.) Photo: Jeremiah Klein, Video: Eric Sterman/A-Frame

"I rode a little bigger board because Pops made me ride the 7'6"," Mason Ho said. "I was looking for a certain wave all day long. I thought I saw one in the semis but I couldn't find it in the final." Photo: Jeremiah Klein

Pipeline tends to have the greatest peanut galleries on earth. Especially when you're seated at the 50-yard-line of the Super Bowl of Surfing with characters like these. Photo: Jeremiah Klein

"I got my first wave in the first 10 seconds of the final and that really gave me the edge," Slater said. "Then they'd need a few sixes to get me. But out here, you can't count anyone out." Photo: Jeremiah Klein