- [photographer 1] Looking good, brother. - [Igarashi chuckles] Thanks, bro.
Okay. So, what is this for?
Oh, this is the headshots for the-- It's all these ones.
[Igarashi] Okay, cool. For, yeah, WSL?
- For the WSL, exactly. - [Igarashi] Sweet.
[photographer 1] Arms by your side.
[photographer 1] Straight to camera, no smile.
- [camera shutter clicks] - Okay, cross your arms. That's good.
A little bit of a smile. Bigger smile. That's it. Got it.
- Killing it. - [photographer 2 speaks indistinctly]
- [photographer 1] We got it. - Sweet. Easy. Thank you, guys.
[photographer 1] Well done, hey. Enjoy. Thank you.
- [Colapinto] Hey, guys. - [photographer 2] Hey. [chuckles]
- [photographer 1] Are you Griffin? - Yeah.
- No pressure. [chuckles] - No pressure, huh? [chuckles]
[photographer 2] Do you wanna put your vest on first?
- Okay. - [photographer 1] Who's your, like, main--
At the moment, you're like, "I wanna beat that guy"?
Like, who's-- who's your rival, hey?
- Probably that guy. [chuckles] - [photographer 1] That guy? Really?
[both chuckling]
Me and Kanoa, we've had a good rivalry ever since we were 13 or 14.
[interviewer] What are you gonna do out there?
- Air. - [kids chuckling]
[Hodge] Griffin and Kanoa have known each other for such a long time,
but they're so fiercely competitive with each other.
[photographer 1] Did you guys grow up in the same area,
- same beaches, all that stuff? - Yeah.
He was in Huntington Beach, and I was in San Clemente.
[Igarashi] We're both from California, and there's a huge rivalry.
[Turpel] We've got an insane battle
with two of the best to come out of California.
[Igarashi] Competing against each other, I've always been one step ahead of him.
[announcer 1] Oh! What a final.
[Colapinto] The way he celebrated his win...
[crowd chanting, yelling]
- [Colapinto] ...it was just weird. - [shouts]
I feel like that's what fueled the fire a little bit.
[shouts]
[Colapinto] And I should've won that contest.
[photographer 1] And then a big smile.
You're doing good. You're almost as good as Kanoa.
That's funny.
[Hughes] Kanoa's really had that advantage for a long time,
but on the Championship Tour, that's when things can get really intense.
[announcer 2] Here goes Griff with a massive air.
- [spectators cheering] - [Colapinto] The rivalry's getting
more heated than ever right now,
'cause we're both rising up, and we're both fighting for a World Title.
[Cote] Watch out, Kanoa Igarashi.
My goal this year is to get in the top five and compete at the Finals.
- [Igarashi] Griffin's a fierce contender. - [photographer 1] Smile.
[Igarashi] It makes me have to sharpen up my act.
[photographer 1] Smile.
We push each other a lot, and I'm ready to battle.
[Hughes] The top five go to the Finals in California.
That's their home break, and they really wanna beat each other to make it there.
- Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. - [photographer 2] Good luck.
- Give it horns. - Nice to meet you.
- I hope you get good waves, man. - For sure.
- [cell phone rings] - [Colapinto sighs]
[friend] What's up, Griffin Thor?
[chuckles] I'm checking the waves. You wanna surf?
[friend] Yeah. I'll pick you up. I can pick you up in, like, five minutes.
- Okay, perfect. See you soon. - [friend] All right.
Later.
We're on.
My name's Griffin Colapinto. I'm a professional surfer.
[blows raspberry]
And this is my fourth year on the Championship Tour.
Last year I finished sixth, and it was a really tough moment for me.
I missed out getting in the final five by one spot. And that really hurt.
But it's given me so much motivation this year
to work super hard and make sure I qualify for the Finals.
- What's up, Kado? - What's up, bruh?
You look at any spots yet?
- [Matson] Lost Winds looks fun. - [Colapinto] Really?
- Yeah. - Oh, sick.
So we could check that. Maybe State Park or something?
We could take the golf cart and just go... [stutters] ...zip around?
- Shweet. - Yeah, shweet.
[Matson] Oh.
[Colapinto] San Clemente is my hometown, where they're having the Finals.
The wave I grew up on.
- And we're off. - [Colapinto chuckles]
- [horn honks] - [Matson] Whoo-hoo.
Time to wake up.
[Colapinto] San Clemente is a very proud town,
and so to be able to represent them would be, like, a dream come true.
- [laughs] This cart's pretty funny. - [Matson chuckles]
[Colapinto] And I know that they'd all be down there, cheering me on.
- My eyes are watering. - That's 'cause you're going so fast.
[Colapinto] The aim for the season would be to make the final five
and win the World Title.
And I feel like anything's possible.
[Turpel] Buenos días, everybody.
[Turpel] It's a beautiful day at the Surf City El Salvador Pro.
Here for the first time ever as a Championship Tour event,
as we see the world's best surfers prepare here at Punta Roca.
He bettered his air rev with another air rev that went to a five-nine.
[Colapinto] I got my coach, Tom Whitaker.
He was on tour for, like, ten years.
And he has so much, like, positive energy, and it's been feeling really good.
- [spectators cheering] - [Guerrero] Here comes Jack Robinson.
- [Whitaker] Mmm. - [chuckles] Oh, wow.
[Colapinto] But sometimes things can be awkward with Tommy
because he also coaches Kanoa.
- That was super cool. - That was so sick. I hope they score that.
- [Whitaker] My name's Tom Whitaker. - That was so high.
And I coach some very, very talented athletes on tour.
- Griffin Colapinto, Kanoa Igarashi. - Hi.
They've grown up surfing against each other, so that rivalry's strong.
You got the section, and you're fucking feeling it.
Yeah. I'm feeling it.
[chuckles] Yeah.
[Igarashi] With Griffin, we have this city rivalry from where we grew up.
Griffin's, like, San Clemente's number one guy.
And then, I'm Huntington Beach's number one guy.
All my friends in Huntington,
we look at San Clemente kids, like, the privileged kids.
They grew up in a nice house, they drive around in golf carts.
Whereas Huntington's more edgy. We ride skateboards around.
Everyone in Huntington hates San Clemente.
[whistles]
Griffin's kind of had this up-and-down year,
whereas Kanoa, he's been really consistent.
Kanoa in the rankings is number four.
Griffin is coming in at number seven.
They're both pushing for the top five.
- [spectators cheering] - [Turpel] It's time for the quarterfinals.
Kanoa Igarashi taking on Griffin Colapinto.
[announcer 3] This is a huge Californian rivalry.
[Colapinto] Kanoa and I competed with each other quite a bit
when we were super young, but he'd always beat me.
And so I kind of, like, got the chip on my shoulder at, like, a young age.
But now I'm a better surfer than him.
And I don't wanna lose to people that I'm better than.
Fuck, yeah. Get it, boys.
[Igarashi] We're willing to break each other's necks
and push each other down underwater to be above.
Whatever it takes to win.
[Matson] Go, doggy.
[Turpel] We're expecting fireworks. Let's go and see who's better.
[Turpel] Griffin Colapinto verse Kanoa Igarashi.
A big one for Southern California.
It's coming down to this, here at Punta Roca.
[spectators cheering]
[Turpel] Igarashi, what an impressive start.
[Surf City supporters gasp, groan]
[Turpel] Kanoa going into an air show... [chuckles] ...on the opening.
[announcer 3] Beautiful grab. How's the padded landing right there?
That was sick.
[Igarashi] For me, gloves are off for this heat.
I just wanna, like, release on the waves.
There's nothing that motivates me more than beating Griffin.
[Turpel] Straight into some action, Colapinto.
Throws it vertically.
[spectators cheering]
- [Turpel] Tail whip reverse. - [announcer 3] Whoa.
- Yeah! - Get it. Hit it. Hit it hard.
- [friend] Yeah! - Yeah! Oh!
[Turpel] The opening waves, so impressive.
As we've got a back-and-forth battle.
Always what we expect from these two.
[spectators cheering, whistling]
[Turpel] Looks like we've got another one here for Kanoa.
Jams it.
Right on the money.
[spectators cheering]
[Turpel] To seal the deal, a Punta Roca special.
[whistles]
[Turpel] Kanoa's been explosive in this heat.
[Turpel] Igarashi getting a dream ride there. Clips the lead on Griffin.
Colapinto, chasing a big score to turn this heat against Kanoa Igarashi.
[Colapinto] Just watching Kanoa getting better waves,
it makes me so fired up.
It's just such a big motivation for me. I wanna beat him so bad.
[announcer 3] These guys just don't wanna lose, Joe.
They don't wanna lose. A monster first turn.
Come on, buddy.
[Turpel] Colapinto attacks the top of that closeout section.
But is it good enough to take the lead in this quarterfinal?
- [buzzer blares] - Yeah! Oh, yes!
[announcer 3] I don't know. It's close now.
[Turpel] The numbers are in for Colapinto.
[Turpel] A 9.10. Into first.
- [Turpel] One of the best heats of 2022. - Whoo!
- [Turpel] Griffin Colapinto takes the win. - [spectators cheering]
[Turpel] That's gonna be a huge story.
- That last turn was insane! Ah! - Yeah, that was insane.
[Colapinto] I understand, like, the power of these rivalries,
'cause it pushes me so much.
- Stellar, yeah? [chuckles] - Yeah. Good job, man.
- Good job. You have fun? - Thank you.
- That was a good heat. Toe to toe. - Toe to toe, buddy.
- Say hello to Tommy. - Okay.
- Proud of you, mate. - Thanks, brother.
- You put on a show, mate. - Dude.
Exactly where we're meant to be, right?
Holy shit.
- Enjoy it. - Okay.
[interviewer 2] Heat of the year?
I think so. Heat of my life. [chuckles] Yeah.
[Colapinto] Winning against Kanoa...
Ooh, okay.
...that's the best feeling ever. I wanna bottle that up. [chuckles]
[groaning]
Kanoa is super hard to beat, so I do feel like I can beat anyone and--
Just one heat at a time.
[spectators cheering]
Gotta get ready for the Final.
[Turpel] Griffin is on the charge.
[announcer 3] He's looking strong right now.
[Turpel] Here in the Final, Colapinto takes on Filipe Toledo.
Filipe has assumed the role as the captain of the Brazilian Storm,
leading the rankings as he's chasing his first World Title.
And he's everyone's favorite to win.
[Colapinto] Going up against Filipe, world number one.
This is the first year I've fully believed in myself that I can beat him.
I know my surfing's there to win the contest.
[supporter] Vamos, Toledo!
[supporters cheer, whistle]
[supporter] Vamos, Toledo! [speaks Portuguese]
[Turpel] Now, Toledo, he's got that stall.
He wants to ramp up.
Clear for takeoff,
- full rotation. - [announcer 3 chuckles]
[Turpel] Seamless on the landing. Ramping up again.
- [Turpel] Big section complete. - [Enever] Wow.
[Turpel] Toledo is the man right now,
putting on quite a show.
Big carve for Griffin Colapinto.
Jamming it off the oncoming section.
He will shut it down in the white water.
[announcer 3, Enever chuckle]
- [cheers] - Yeah!
[Turpel] Two guys firing at all cylinders.
Couple of big nines already in this Final.
[Turpel] They're completely tied at 16 points.
[Enever] Wow. [chuckles] Doesn't get much closer than this.
They're tied.
[Turpel] You could talk to a couple of judges.
They might have Filipe winning, the other half might have Griffin winning.
So, it's a split decision on who's winning this Final right now.
All right, friends. We got ourselves a match.
[Enever] Wow, we've got two minutes to go.
[Turpel] Griffin Colapinto needs a 7.01.
- [announcer 3] Awesome. - Fuck, yeah!
[announcer 3] It's really hard to land like that.
- [Turpel] Throws down the reverse. - [friend] That was sick!
[Turpel] The last few seconds of this Final.
Judges have another big decision to make.
[Turpel] Griffin takes the lead. And it's over.
- Whoo! Whoo! - [cheers]
[spectators cheering]
Man!
[Turpel] Griffin Colapinto steals the win off Filipe Toledo.
- [spectators cheering] - Give me a hug.
- Dad. - So proud of you.
[supporters chanting] Griffin!
Embrace it.
[Enever] This is going to sting for Filipe.
[supporter 4] Filipe!
[Enever] But, wow, what a triumph for Griffin Colapinto.
[crowd cheering]
[Colapinto] It feels insane to beat someone like Filipe.
He's number one in the world right now,
so that's gonna help me believe in myself even more.
[Hodge] Griffin is just so strong at the moment.
He's got all the ingredients to become a contender for that World Title.
[crowd cheering]
[Igarashi] Seeing a rival stepping up, that's frustrating.
Especially when I'm the one that's always been further ahead.
It's really hard falling one step behind.
[cheering]
[Igarashi] It's always gonna be a tough pill to swallow...
but it's definitely fuel to the fire. I gotta find the grit in me.
Cool. Thank you so much.
It's getting down towards the pointy end of the season.
And for Kanoa, it's a tough moment
because he knows that they're both chasing that top-five slot.
There's no doubt that the dynamic's shifted.
And Griffin's now edged in front of Kanoa.
[Turpel] Griffin Colapinto shaking up the rankings.
[Kennedy] I think for Kanoa, it's going to simmer. He's gonna go say,
"Okay, it's time to get serious."
[chuckles]
It's all happening. [whistles]
[Colapinto] Winning the contest in El Salvador felt so good.
But then after I won, the Brazilians were, like, really, really mad
because they thought that I was getting overscored.
[Colapinto] My mom's kinda rattled right now, actually.
So, like, I gotta send my mom photos.
Is it cool if I take a photo of you guys? Just--
[Whitaker] Selfie! Selfie cam for the mommy.
I just gotta accommodate her.
She's having a proper-- She's, like, saying I need security and all this crap.
[Colapinto] It really sucks, 'cause now it's like, we're in Brazil,
and I have to try and compete while dealing with all this stuff.
- Looking great. - Seems pretty solid.
- [yawns] - Yeah, I think we're on.
Sweet! [exclaims]
A little peace of mind walk, huh?
When it's crowded, though,
- it's not gonna be so peaceful. - [Colapinto] Yeah.
[Colapinto] Brazilians, they're just, like, super passionate.
They have people screaming for them. It can be intimidating.
You almost feel like the lone soldier going up against them.
- Brasil! - Brazil! [laughs]
- The guys are psyched in here. - [Jonas] Yeah, people are ruthless here.
[chuckles]
- [Colapinto] What's up, Yago? [chuckles] - [Dora] Whoo!
- Yes, brother. Good to see you. - [laughing] How are you?
- Good to see you too. Welcome. - Yeah.
Hey, thanks for backing me up online, huh?
- Like, just being cool, thank you. - [chuckles] They just lost it, the guys.
[laughs] Yeah, they had a sh-- It's weird.
Yeah, whatever. I don't care.
The fans, they're too much.
Yeah, they get fired up, huh?
Yeah, the guys are just trying to make their heats. [laughing]
[chuckles] Sure are.
- [Colapinto] So nuts. - [chuckles]
[Kennedy] This is the era when Brazilian surf is in the supremacy.
And I think the Brazilian crowd is gonna thrive on that.
They're really gonna let all the other competitors know that,
"Hey, we're tops now, and you're on our soil."
- It's actually getting crowded. Yeah. - It's getting crowded.
[Kennedy] It's gonna be really intimidating for all the other surfers,
- particularly Griffin. - How's it going?
- Please... [speaks Portuguese] - Uh-huh, yeah.
[Kennedy] He's gonna get a lot more attention.
So, he's got to learn to deal with that.
- Thank you. - Yeah, brother.
- Hi, brother. [laughs] - I'm gonna kick your ass now, man.
[Turpel] The Oi Rio Pro is on here in beautiful Saquarema.
[cheering, whistling]
[Turpel] We are enjoying our morning.
[Cote] And the Brazilian fans have shown up in force.
- Dude, this is my security guard, Bruno. - How are you?
- Good morning. - Hey, man.
He's a purple belt.
- No way. Beast mode. - [Bruno chuckles]
- Beast mode, yeah. - [growls]
[Oi Rio Pro supporters cheering, clamoring]
[Turpel] We're counting every result from here on out.
And all goals now are to make the WSL final five.
[Cote] Both Kanoa Igarashi and Griffin Colapinto
in the elimination rounds early in competition.
[Turpel] Griffin needing to perform in front of this big crowd.
[shouting, chanting, cheering]
- Get in there. - Okay.
[Whitaker] As his coach, I know confidence is key with Griff.
After El Salvador, he had a huge win, instantly all this shit hit the fan.
[speaking Portuguese] Brasil!
It's hard to remember anyone winning an event
and not being confident going into the next one.
- Let's go surf, brother. - Yeah.
- Just go with him. - Okay.
- Toe to toe with him. - Okay.
- [Whitaker] 100%. - Love you.
Then close him out the last ten minutes, all right?
All right. Sounds good.
[Turpel] Griffin's coming in now with a target on his back.
[Guerrero] Everybody wants a little piece of him.
That can be so tiring.
[Colapinto] I'm starting to find what works for me.
But now I've got the pressure of needing to perform in every single contest.
[cheering continues]
[Colapinto] I know my surfing's there. So it's all about mindset at this point.
[Cote] Wild card Miguel Tudela,
up against number three in the world, Griffin Colapinto.
[Guerrero] Colapinto right off the buzzer.
- Barrel. - Oh, my--
[Cote] Griffin Colapinto starts this heat off with a bang!
[Whitaker] Griff makes it look so easy.
He's got that beautiful style.
His positioning and technique just looks so fluid.
I think he's the most talented natural surfer.
[Cote] Colapinto on a roll.
[Guerrero] A 7.5 to start his heat off.
[Cote] Tudela goes to the sky...
lands backwards, and is able to stay on his feet.
That was incredible.
[cheering]
Sick.
[Cote] A 7.10.
[Guerrero] Great answer back by Miguel Tudela.
He better not miss a fucking nother set, dude.
[Colapinto] Everyone's been building these expectations for me.
I'm just trying to focus on my surfing and stay consistent.
[Guerrero] This is a wave Griffin Colapinto really has to work over
to make sure he can maximize the points.
- I think it's too small. - Nah, yeah, it's too stretched.
[Guerrero] Griffin Colapinto does really well
to finish that on the sand.
[Cote] He did a lot of work for a midrange reward
and his last score came through at 5.10.
[Guerrero] They both have the same two-wave score.
[Guerrero] When you have a tie, that highest single-wave score
Griffin Colapinto's 7.5 gives him the lead.
[Cote] Now we're gonna see some cat and mouse
with four and a half minutes on the clock.
Yeah, he needs a bigger lead.
[Guerrero] Tudela, under priority. This could be an opportunity.
[Cote] Searching for the rim. Goes upside-down!
Oh!
[spectators gasping, chattering]
- [Cote] Does complete! - [Guerrero] Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
[Cote] Making it obvious to the judges that he is in control.
Oh, fuck. Griff.
[Cote] Wild card Tudela takes out world number three Colapinto.
- What are you doing? - [laughs]
[Cote] Griffin's run is done.
[Guerrero] Wow. Heavy moment right now.
Incredible.
[Colapinto] That's a bad loss.
I felt like the odds were against me a little bit.
It's almost like the judges were borderline scared to give me a good score,
'cause they didn't want to start a riot or something.
[crowd exclaiming]
So, now Kanoa's got that opportunity.
[Igarashi] Griffin's out. It's time to get some points on the board.
[Whitaker] Since Griff beat him, obviously gave Kanoa a lot of attention.
And he just said, "Next time, that can't happen. Where's the extra 5%?"
He's the ultimate professional, but I know that he's frustrated.
Take the first opportunity. He's down there, ready to paddle out.
- Yeah. All right. - Let's do it, yeah?
Go at it, man. Yeah? Don't-- Fuck, this is-- This is what we wanted.
This is the grit. Fire the fuck up, mate. Yeah? Stick 'em! You got it.
[Igarashi] I need to step up.
The guys who are in the top five, those guys all want it.
They wanna win. They'll do it at all costs.
[Whitaker] Tough one, brother.
He pulled the rabbit out of the fucking hat. Fucking brutal.
Fuck.
Now for Kanoa's time to shine.
[Igarashi] I definitely need a big result here
to get higher up in the rankings and give myself that chance to win a World Title.
[Turpel] Kanoa Igarashi, number five in the world, to take on the wild card,
Mateus Herdy. The next big thing coming out of Brazil.
- [crowd cheers] - [Enever] He made that look so, so easy.
[Turpel] The crowd just erupting.
Igarashi rolling into this one looking for his first completion.
[Turpel] He's got the speed.
Pulled in under the hood. Got deep for a moment there.
[Whitaker] Wow.
[Turpel] This wild card from Florianópolis stealing the show.
[crowd cheers]
This guy does good whirlybirds, though.
[crowd cheers]
[Mel] Two big aerial moves on one wave.
[Turpel] So impressive from Mateus Herdy,
taking control of this heat.
[Mel] A lot of work to do for Kanoa here.
[Turpel] Igarashi trying to pose a comeback.
Oh!
Picked the wrong one.
- [horn sounds] - [groans]
Wasn't a fucking turn or ramp wave.
[Turpel] Too late for Igarashi. World number five out of the contest.
Not fun.
[Whitaker] Brutal surfing.
[chuckles] Fuck, yeah.
[Igarashi] I spent every single day of my life dedicated to winning.
To winning a World Title.
That was a really important heat for the top five.
Should have been me kicking Griffin out of the equation.
But then one slipup, and I lost my opportunity.
[Igarashi] Glad it's over.
[Whitaker] Fuck. Two losses today.
Brutal. [chuckles] This shit is brutal.
They had shockers.
Kanoa wasn't ready for that heat mentally.
And he got beaten before he paddled out.
Griff same thing.
Kanoa and Griffin are two surfers who probably feel like
they should be in the top five.
But as they draw closer to the end of the year,
and that's looking like it's not guaranteed,
the pressure ratchets right up.
[Whitaker] There were a couple of little moments that cost ya.
Yeah.
[Kennedy] And I think for Tom Whitaker, as coach,
the key is to use that rivalry to spur both individuals on to greater feats.
But he's just gotta be careful it doesn't boil over.
Yeah, I don't even feel like I'm in the final five right now.
[chuckles] Yeah.
I am, but it doesn't feel that way just 'cause it's so tight.
I know I have to perform here.
Well, yeah, you're not locked. [chuckles]
That's why you don't feel, like-- Not really comfortable yet.
I'm definitely not comfortable at all.
[sighs]
Fuck, I think way too much.
[both laughing]
[Colapinto] When I first got on the tour...
Whew.
...I was always overthinking everything.
I wasn't really, like, comfortable in my own skin.
Yeah.
And it was hard for me to believe in myself.
- [exhales sharply] - Should we go out?
Mm-hmm.
[Colapinto] So I'm trying to figure out how to get to that level where
you feel like you belong and deserve to be in the top five.
- You almost ready? - Yeah, I'm ready.
[Colapinto] I just have to be on it.
And really make sure that I handle those negative thoughts.
[Igarashi] If you want to make the top five...
Cereal.
It's what Kelly always used to eat.
[Igarashi] Tahiti is the most important event of the year for me.
Whoa. Look at the stingray.
[friend] Oh!
[Igarashi chuckles] Stingrays.
[friend chuckling] Wow.
[Igarashi] I have this one chance of getting into the top five.
It really comes down to me and Griffin fighting for this last spot.
[chuckles] Yeah. Pretty cool, huh?
- [friend chuckles] - [Igarashi] Oh. Where did he go?
He'd be freaked out right here, probably.
[Igarashi] And every time I feel pressure, I know that's my cue to turn myself on.
[Igarashi] I've turned it from my biggest enemy to my best source of fuel.
[Igarashi] I've been coming here since I was 14. Ten years now. Every year.
Solid.
So, I know this reef inside and out now. And I've had some scary experiences here.
[de Souza] The wave's powerful.
"Teahupo'o meaning."
"Place of skulls."
"The pile of heads." Makes sense.
- Wow. - Mm-hmm.
[Igarashi] There's so many opportunities I would miss throughout the year.
I think I'm gonna try and surf.
[Igarashi] But I know I can do it.
[Turpel] The engines are fired up here at the end of the road.
The Tahiti Pro, the final stop of
the World Surf League Championship tour.
[Enever] Look at all the crowd out in the water.
It can be quite chaotic...
- [spectators cheering] - ...but it's such a special scene.
There's no other place in the world like it.
[Turpel] A perfect arena to close out an incredible year
and work out the final five for the WSL finals.
[Guerrero] Griffin Colapinto and Kanoa Igarashi,
the surfers in the hunt for those final positions.
We've got Griffin in fifth place and Kanoa right there at sixth.
Whoever finishes above the other in Tahiti, makes that spot in the final five.
It really is the last roll of the dice.
[Turpel] We are into the next round.
Sixteen competitors left.
[Guerrero] Ultra-important heat for Griffin Colapinto.
[Colapinto] So this next heat, though, what's the plan?
[Whitaker] And it's gone offshore, they're hugging the reef.
You gotta trust your instincts when you see it.
Keep watching.
Some you just gotta react to, yeah?
[Colapinto] Everything on the line. And Kanoa's watching.
To try and put the pressure on.
But I've been surfing here since I was young.
I just have to harness my hard work and put everything I possibly can into it.
[Colapinto] Tommy.
[Whitaker] You know the drill.
Let your talent do its thing in the pit, bro.
- That's how you gotta be thinking, dude. - Yeah.
Relax and enjoy the fucking ride. [sniffs]
[Whitaker] The hard work's done.
He's just gotta surf, trust in his ability and just focus on him.
Trust your spots.
Go get 'em, bruv.
He's gotta win this heat.
[chuckling] Biggest heat ever. I'm shitting myself.
[Turpel] Very important heat for the title showdown.
Griffin with everything on the line. Talk about pressure.
Quick start for the kid from San Clemente.
[Turpel] Super deep, Colapinto! Into the sunshine in Tahiti.
Wow, look at that shit!
[Mel] He was flying through that one.
[Turpel] The action continues.
Rolling in under the hood, Yago Dora.
And the surf as good as it gets here at Teahupo'o.
[Colapinto] I'm pretty used to, like, heavy waves and not being scared.
I put so much time and effort and hard work into surfing.
And I feel like it's all coming together at the perfect time.
Wow. Big set coming.
[Guerrero] Dora.
[Mel] Big open barrel.
That's gonna be the best number for Yago Dora.
Definitely gonna make this one a very interesting heat.
[Guerrero] Yago Dora takes the lead with four minutes remaining.
Colapinto needs a 5.94.
This is back to the wall. This is Griff stuff. Come on.
[Guerrero] Not seeing much on the horizon,
and not much he can do with no opportunity. Thirty seconds.
[Colapinto] When we're out there waiting for a wave,
you can just get the most wildest things coming through your head.
For these moments, it's pretty much lock into your meditation
and try and have no thoughts.
So that way, when a wave comes, I have no more nerves,
and I can surf 100% to my ability.
[announcer] Twenty seconds.
[Guerrero] The wave miraculously showed up.
Paddle, Griff!
[Guerrero] This is the make-or-break moment
for Griffin Colapinto.
[Guerrero] Comes out, points to the sky.
Griffin Colapinto, could this be a buzzer beater?
- [buzzer blares] - [Mel] Wow.
All he needed was a 5.94. It's up to the judges.
Pretty much needs a six. We'll watch both angles of this.
[Mel] How deep he is at the length of the barrel
is just a key part.
[announcer] Last of red is a 5.63.
[Guerrero] Oh, no.
[Guerrero] Not enough for Griffin Colapinto.
All good. Still a lot. Mental year. Yeah?
So many positives.
It's that one little moment.
Well done.
- Can't believe I gave it away. - [groans] Fuck.
You're still in this.
- Fuck. - Fuck.
Gonna watch this heat together?
- Fuck, yeah. - [laughs]
[spectators cheering]
[Turpel] What a scene here.
Kanoa Igarashi, he's in a must-win situation
to clinch his spot in the WSL Finals.
[Guerrero] Four of the final five for the men
have been clinched. There's only one seat left.
Let's get hammered, huh?
[Turpel] If he wins this heat,
that would bump Griffin Colapinto outside of final five.
[Whitaker] Fucking everything has to be right, man.
Every little thing's gotta be clinical, yeah.
[Turpel] Kanoa Igarashi is coming up against Jadson Andre,
who's been on a heater today.
- You fucking wanted this moment, brother. - Cool.
Be a Samurai, yeah? Slice him.
You want it.
Fuck me.
I don't think I've ever experienced an emotional roller coaster like this today.
[Igarashi] I had lot of times where I asked myself,
"Why do I wanna win? What drives me so much?"
Since I was little, it's been such a dream of mine to be a World Champion.
All I wanna see is the biggest wave ever right now.
This is my opportunity to prove myself.
[Turpel] Kanoa Igarashi, he'll keep his line nice and strong.
He's able to complete that ride.
Oh, my God. What's this thing?
[Turpel] Jadson Andre with the answer.
Go! Go!
- Ah! - [Moniz] That was a mental one.
[both laughing]
Fucking all in on this shit. Are you kidding?
Fucking rooting for this guy.
[announcer] Last of red is a 5.83. Of white is a 7.67.
Oh, a 7.67 for Jaddy.
[indistinct chatter]
Let's get some more beer, huh?
[Moniz] Yeah, I think there's one--
[Turpel] Kanoa Igarashi wants to answer back,
but the waves have been going flat.
[Igarashi] We're going up against nature, you know.
We're going up against something that's so unpredictable.
[Enever] Kanoa Igarashi in one of the most important heats of his career.
He needs a 7.41.
[Igarashi] When your palms are sweaty,
it's because you're scared to lose something.
So you have to stay sharp.
That's a lot.
Ten minutes of just sitting there, just haven't got a wave.
Everything's riding on it.
[Enever] Looks like we've got some movement in the ocean
with two and a half minutes remaining.
[Igarashi] To be at this level, you have to have this warrior mentality.
It's the grit. It's the samurai grit. You either die, or you win.
[spectators cheering, shouting]
[spectators cheering]
[buzzer blares]
[Moniz] Fuck.
That's a nine, huh?
[spectator] That's a big score, dude.
Okay. Let's have a look.
It's one of the best.
It's, like... [stammers] ...length of ride while he's deep, is-- is pretty major.
[announcer] Last of red is a 9.7.
What the--
Wow. [chuckles]
[Turpel] It is official. What a moment for Kanoa Igarashi.
I can't fucking believe that.
- One wave. - [spectator] One wave.
What just happened? What?
You're a fucking weapon, yeah?
That's that belief. That's that shit.
I was trusting it was going to come.
I was like, "It's going to come, it's going to come."
I wish I had clearer thoughts right now.
All the--
All the hard work I've put out here, it kinda all just came down to that moment.
[Igarashi] Whoo!
Cheers.
[Turpel, on TV] ...to the WSL final five.
[Colapinto] This year, winning two events was a huge breakout for me.
But I'm disappointed because missing out on that big goal I had,
representing San Clemente.
- Sorry, chum. - Thanks, Kevin.
[Turpel] We have so much to look forward to.
[Colapinto] It's definitely one of my lowest points.
And so, it's just really hard to process that I'm not gonna have that opportunity.
[groans, grunts]
[Igarashi] Griffin left the door open for me.
A lot of the time, I feel like the ocean writes the stories.
[Igarashi] I mean, that wave was so important.
One wave clinched my spot in the top five
to give me a shot at winning a World Title.
And that's been a lifelong dream.
See you at Lowers, baby.
- We're going to Lowers! I'm going home. - [chuckles]
[hip-hop music playing]
[indistinct rapping]
Whoo-hoo-hoo!
[Ferreira speaks Portuguese]
[Turpel] Ítalo looking for a second World Title this year.
[Fanning] If you don't win the World Title the following year
or the year after that,
it's-- Almost feels like you failed.
[shouting, speaking Portuguese]
[Casteluber] He'll be more intense than ever,
saying "I want more, I want more. I won't give up. I won't give up."
[Turpel] Ítalo right into another big pit.
[Ferreira in Portuguese] I am willing
to push myself to my maximum limit.
[speaks Portuguese]