Kauli Vaast, 19 years old, on a wave of 100 lifetimes. Photo Ben Thouard

Nathan Florence, one of the few visiting pros that made their way over for the swell, looking right at home in a monster. Photo Ben Thouard

Photo Ben Thouard

Lucas Chianca. Photo Ben Thouard

Photo Ben Thouard

Fittingly, the biggest wave of the swell was tamed by the local wunderkid, Matahi Drollet. For such a young surfer has amassed an incredible reputation as one of the most talented surfers in the world in waves of extreme consequence. Drollet’s performance during this swell adds some major bonafides to an already impressive resume. Photo:" Ben Thouard

Features

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Friday the 13th

XXL Teahupo’o

All Photos Ben Thouard

There are natural occurrences in this world that are wonders to behold – XXL Teahupo’o is one of them. Before the swell graced the southern shores of Hawai’i, one of the craziest sessions in recent years went down at the “End of the Road.” Along with a handful of international chargers, it was a new generation of young Tahitians who stole the show. Surfing waves like these transcend our understanding of what is humanly possible. And it’s crazy to imagine that some of these guys are just getting started.