Apparently, a Kelly Slater high on Teahupo’o tubes doesn’t mind helping out his fellow competitors. Photo: Hannah Anderson//WSL
Just when we thought day three of the Tahiti Pro couldn’t get any better after a classic Kelly Slater performance, Griffin Colapinto wrangled the spotlight. The 28-year-old Californian earned the highest heat score of the event and the entire 2026 season — a 19.6 total, including a perfect 10 — that he called “the best heat” of his life.
But sideline reporter Chris Cote did some excellent sleuthing and asked Colapinto about a conversation he saw with Slater before the heat. According to Colapinto, he received a golden nugget piece of advice from the 11-time world champ that made all the difference.
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“Kelly’s so awesome like that, you can like ask him anything, and he’ll share it with you,” Colapinto said. “I mean, he’s retired now, so he’ll do that. But I pretty much asked him, ‘Kelly, what are some tips?’ He was on such a goodie coming off that heat, and he just was like, ‘Sit in and under. With the wind chops, it’s hard to get into the waves, so sit a little further in.”
It was no surprise that Colapinto’s top-scoring waves came as he sat inside of Rio Waida.
“I definitely paid attention to that, and that’s kind of how I got those waves under Rio’s priority,” he added. “So thanks to Kelly for that.”
Colapinto said that was a heat he’ll remember for the rest of his life. A Teahupo’o forecast that seemed questionable at first has provided historic moments. Colapinto will take to the water again in round three against Miguel Pupo. If he advances, he’ll take on the winner of Kelly Slater and Jack Robinson.
