Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater was surprised by Adam Melling of Australia on Friday in the first round of the Billabong Pipe Masters at Banzai Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore.
Melling scored a 15.90 (out of 20) to 15.80 for second place Slater, one of the three contenders for the world crown this year.
Current world No. 1 Gabriel Medina of Brazil and reigning three-time world champion Mick Fanning topped their group to to advance to Round 3. The second- and third-place finishers in each group move into elimination Round 2.
The Pipe Masters, the final stop of the 2014 Samsung Galaxy ASP World Championship Tour, will also determine the field for next year’s tour.
It is also the third and final stop on the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing series, currently led by Maui’s Dusty Payne after he won the Reef Hawaiian Pro and finished second to Tahiti’s Michel Bourez at the World Cup of Surfing.
Friday, Payne finished last in his group with Melling and Slater.
Pipeline local John John Florence topped his heat.