The 2016 season opener was filled with surprises. The slew of new faces, a string of massive upsets, and of course first-time winner Matt Wilkinson and the dominant Tyler Wright blowing up. But not all the cool moments occur in heats. There's a world of activity behind the scenes, and the images captured by the WSL team usually tell plenty of story on their own. With that in mind, have a look at some of what didn't make it into the live shows.
A crowd gathers at Snapper Rocks to watch the drama unfold. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Jordy Smith, who was plagued by injuries last season, suffered a tough Round 2 loss at Snapper. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Where the magic happens -- aka, the judges' area. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kelly Cestari
Alessa Quizon before her Round 2 heat. Unfortunately, she didn't make it past that round. Photo: Kirstin - WSL
Malia Manuel, warming up. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Ace Buchan, stoic after winning his Round 2 heat. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
Mick Fanning congratulates Kolohe Andino after Round 3. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Injury replacement surfer Bronte Macaulay, before her Round 4 heat. Despite her impressive performance, she was taken down in that round by Malia Manuel. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
John John Florence suits up for Round 4. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Adriano de Souza's last-minute prayers. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Sage Erickson, in a moment of pre-heat zen. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Brett Skinner
Snapper dark horse Stu Kennedy heading out for his Quarterfinal. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Joel Parkinson keeping it fun. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Special delivery for Tatiana Weston-Webb, who kicked off her sophomore year on tour at the Roxy Pro. Photo: Sherm - WSL
Is this the secret to her success? Roxy Pro runner-up Courtney Conlogue, communing before her Quarterfinal heat. - WSL / Kirstin
Courtney Conlogue and Sage Erickson after their Quarterfinal matchup. (Conlogue won.) Photo: Sherman - WSL
Wildcard Mikey Wright, in all his hipster glory. Photo: Sherman - WSL / Steve Sherman
Johanne Defay, ecstatic over her Quarterfinal win. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin
Stephanie Gilmore, back where she belongs. Photo: Kirstin - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
Filipe Toledo limped away from his Semifinal, after hurting himself on failed landing. Incredibly, he kept surfing through it -- but it's not the way anyone wants to go out of a contest. - WSL / Kirstin Scholtz
See you next year, Snapper. - WSL
Images from the Scene at Snapper
Curated by Anna Dimond
The 2016 season opener was filled with surprises. The slew of new faces, a string of massive upsets, and of course first-time winner Matt Wilkinson and the dominant Tyler Wright blowing up. But not all the cool moments occur in heats. There's a world of activity behind the scenes, and the images captured by the WSL team usually tell plenty of story on their own. With that in mind, have a look at some of what didn't make it into the live shows.
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