Frames: Slater's Title Campaign

Kelly Slater (USA) winning his Round 3 at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. He scored a 9.07 in that heat to advance.

After performing well throughout the preliminary rounds at the Gold Coast, Slater fell off track in the Quarterfinals and was eliminated by Adriano De Souza (BRA).

Slater was neck-and-neck with wildcard Nathan Hedge (USA) in Round 2 of the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, but was able to edge past him and stay in the competition.

Slater made it to the Margaret River Semifinals before being eliminated by the ultimate event winner, Michel Bourez (PYF).

Slater headed out for Round 1 at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach. The contest was the third World Tour stop of the year.

Slater made the most of glassy conditions there to make the Quarterfinals.

Slater was ultimately edged out by John John Florence (HAW) in the Quarters.

At the Tour's next stop, the Billabong Rio Pro, Slater tucked for a tight barrel at the contest beachbreak. Despite his tube skills, he was ultimately ousted in the Semis by young gun Kolohe Andino (USA).

Slater averaged a 15.94 heat total through three rounds at the Fiji Pro but faltered in the Quarters against Michel Bourez (PYF).

Slater and his daughter Taylor took a tour of Cloudbreak, site of the Fiji Pro.

Slater led the pack in his three-man, Round 1 heat at the J-Bay Open.

In a big upset, Slater was eliminated in Round 3 at Jeffreys Bay after Matt Wilkinson (AUS) put two nine-point rides on the board.

After that, it was no-holds-barred when Slater landed in Tahiti.

Slater tallied 16 nine-point rides at the Billabong Pro Tahiti.

During the Semifinals there, Slater dropped into a Teahupo'o bomb.

Slater finished runner-up in Tahiti in a close Final against Tour leader Gabriel Medina (BRA).

Back in the U.S. for the Hurley Pro at Trestles, Slater got right into rhythm.

Slater scored a 9.37 in a Quarterfinal matchup with Joel Parkinson (AUS).

Slater left Trestles with an equal third finish.

Later that month, the World Championship Tour headed to Europe for the Quiksilver Pro France. One of Slater's highlights there was this unintended party wave with Wilkinson.

In another highlight from France, Slater faced Dane Reynolds (USA) for the 11th time in their respective careers. Once again, he came out on top.

Slater, in a moment of Round 5 triumph.

Although he didn't win the event, Slater added two more nine-point rides to his 2014 tally during the French contest.

Slater was eliminated in the Quik Pro Quarterfinals by the red-hot Jordy Smith (ZAF).

But at the next WCT event, the Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Slater was on fire at the start, notching a 9.67 in Round 1.