The Da Hui Backdoor Shootout is one of the best surfing events out there. It runs when conditions are what everyone wants to see. It has an interesting team format, and it’s off the beaten path of the WSL. It features the best of the best–not just the best on the tour. This year, Koa Rothman took the trophy and $40,000. Team Weedmaps (Bruce Irons, Mason Ho, Tyler Newton, and Nathan Fletcher) took the team win.
Koa’s win came on the back of a wave out of a highlight reel, seen above at the 2:00 minute mark. After a terrifying close call involving Kalani Chapman, Rothman dedicated his win the Pipeline legend. “I want to give a shout-out to our good friend Kalani Chapman,” he said. “We went through a pretty traumatic experience yesterday, so glad you’re ok brother. This one is for you.”
