Surfing in front of a raucous hometown crowd at the Billabong Pipe Masters, 2016 World Champion John John Florence did just enough to sneak past rookie Ethan Ewing in their Round Three heat. After jumping out to an early lead, Florence watched the steely-eyed rookie work his way back into the heat, then have a chance to knock out the Champ in the dying moments of their battle. But the young Aussie came up just short, and Florence will head into Finals day with a good chance at retaining his Title.