“Surfers were crying in the channel, hugging each other in the channel and probably puking in the channel,” wrote Tom Servais for ESPN back in 2011. July of that year saw a mega swell slamming Cloudbreak, much like what we witnessed take place over the weekend. The parallels between then and now are downright comical.
Kelly Slater was truant from the Billabong Pro J-Bay in 2011 instead flying to Fiji in much the same way he withdrew from the Corona Bali Protected this year citing foot injury.
“Ooops just watched my heat, but I’m getting barreled off my face in Fiji. No disrespect towards @aspworldtour or @billabongpro. Small surf,” Slater reportedly tweeted in 2011.
And while everyone is talking about Ramón Navarro’s cavernous tow-in, back in 2011 it was Bruce Iron’s paddle-in that was considered the wave of the day.
So which was bigger? Which session was more perfect? Here’s a little side-by-side comparison for your viewing pleasure. Weigh in below.
