Words by Tim Bonython:

"You’ve seen the carnage of day one…now welcome back. Day two dawned with the swell still massive — only now the conditions were cleaner, sharper, and more perfect than ever.

"Local prince Matahi Drollet put on a masterclass, towing into mutant bombs alongside powerhouse Lucas Chumbo, with a stacked crew of Tahitian chargers — Kauli Vaast, Mateia Hiquily, and Gilbert Teave — pushing deeper into the pit.

"The world’s best weren’t sitting on the sidelines either. On the eve of the WSL comp, Griffin and Crosby Colapinto, Barron Mamiya, Leonardo Fioravanti, Seth Moniz, and Italo Ferreira all tested themselves against the beast.

"And just when the tow frenzy peaked, the paddlers struck back. Rising talent Jacob Turner led the charge, proving the future at Teahupoo is just as fearless as the present. On the ground, we hear from legendary lensmen Ben Thouard and Ted Grambeau, and straight from the source: a battered Matahi Drollet, with his brother Manoa recounting the day’s wildest moments.

"As Vetea David put it, “Having seen and surfed out there for thirty years, that was in the top ten days — some of the biggest XXL swells ever at Teahupoo.”