Two-time Pe'ahi Challenge winner Billy Kemper got right to work in Round One, bagging a massive barrel in the opening minutes. He did everything right, too: making the drop, turning under the lip and committing to his line. But just when it looked like he was about to emerge from the huge spinning cavern the wave erupted, turning the power of a dozen fire hoses on Kemper, which knocked him clear off his board. Fortunately, by that point, the tough work had been done, and the judges rewarded him with the highest score of the heat, an 8.67, and a Round One win.
