Frames: Fanning Wins J-Bay Open

The locals paid C.J. Hobgood (USA) a visit during his Round 5 heat against Gabriel Medina (BRA).

"This is what we live for, epic J-Bay," said Mick Fanning (AUS) said. "For me surfing out there is just having fun."

A few missed opportunities from Josh Kerr (AUS) saw him suffer an early elimination at the hands of Adriano de Souza (BRA) in Round 5.

Joel Parkinson (AUS) employing his classic rail game and textbook carves to oust a determined Adriano De Souza (BRA) from the competition in the quarterfinals.

"I was really excited because I've been watching this forecast the last few days," said De Souza. "As soon as I woke up this morning, I saw beautiful waves, beautiful lines, because this is J-Bay

The contest's final day at Supertubes delivered one of the most memorable days of competition in recent history.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS) posted the first 9-point ride of the Quarterfinals against Taj Burrow (AUS).

Taj Burrow was eliminated by an in-form Matt Wilkinson, who posted his best result of the season with his victory over the West Australian.

Matt Wilkinson producing textbook top-to-bottom surfing on his backhand to finish equal third at this year's J-Bay Open.

Owen Wright (AUS) unleashing his backhand attack on a Supers racetrack.

Gabriel Medina found himself in a combination situation during the Quarterfinals, where he faced an on-fire Owen Wright.

Alejo Muniz was unable to stop Mick Fanning in his tracks during the Quarterfinals.

Mick Fanning dismantling his opponents one by one, on his way to the final.

Signature power-carves and sweeping turns earned Parkinson a place in the Final.

Conditions continued to pump.

The final day saw record crowds line the shore at Jeffreys Bay.

Owen Wright failed to find the near-perfect score needed to overcome Fanning in the Semifinals.

Owen Wright paddled back out with determination, but was eliminated in equal third place.

Notching consistent, high scores, Fanning was close to flawless all day and advanced into the Finals with ease.

Mick Fanning and his coach Phil McNamara, never far apart.

Mick Fanning headed out for a dream Final against his best mate, Joel Parkinson.

Joel Parkinson burst out of the gate with a beautiful barrel ride during the Final.

Joel Parkinson, aggressive on the paddle out.

Fanning's double-barrel opener secured him 9-point ride and an early lead.

Building momentum, Fanning threw another solid score on the board.

Parkinson wasted no time to react; he found a nice wave of his own to clock serious tube time and try to get back in the fight for the J-Bay trophy.

Surfing one of the world's best point breaks with only one other guy out was the best prize of all for both surfers.

It was Fanning who would clinch the victory, defeating Parkinson 17.00 to 13.60.

Left alone in the lineup in the final four minutes, Fanning savored his second event win of the season.

“I’m so tired but it’s a dream-come-true kind of day," said Fanning.

“I never dreamed that I would get to surf a J-Bay final with Joel (Parkinson),” Fanning said. “Joel is one of my favorite surfers and my best friend, we’ve known each other since we were kids."

The victory, Fanning’s second of the season after Bells Beach in April, moved him up to No. 3 on the ASP WCT rankings behind Gabriel Medina (BRA) and Parkinson.

“It was an amazing heat and Mick (Fanning) is such a good tactician,” Parkinson said. “I made a couple of bad decisions and I just didn’t get the right waves. It would’ve been nice to get a win but that was a brilliant day of surfing and it was so wonderful to be part of it."

The true locals of J-Bay enjoying an empty lineup.