In a remarkable day of competition at the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro on February 7, two surfers delivered the event’s most outstanding performances, each earning a perfect 10-point score. Barron Mamiya and Jack Robinson’s jaw-dropping waves stood apart from the rest, showcasing the highest level of surfing on the planet. Despite differing outcomes for the two riders, both displayed extraordinary skill and bravery on one of the most challenging waves in the world.
A Fierce Battle at Backdoor: Jack Robinson’s Mastery
Among the standout rides of the event, Jack Robinson’s performance at Backdoor was nothing short of legendary. Robinson faced off against Al Cleland Jr., an event wildcard, in a heat that was expected to be a close contest. While Cleland, an untested rookie, showed promise in intimidating conditions, it was Robinson’s experience and skill that ultimately shone through.
On a massive wave, Robinson took an aggressive drop that nearly sent him into freefall. With precision and composure, he navigated one of the largest waves of the contest, easily double-overhead in size. “That’s as big of a Backdoor wave as can be ridden,” noted Jeremy Flores from the broadcast booth, praising Robinson’s ability to conquer the wave with such control.
Despite Robinson’s impressive ride, the ocean’s unpredictability caused him to fall short in the heat. While Cleland surged ahead with gritty determination, Robinson—despite the perfect 10—was ultimately defeated. The rare sight of a surfer losing a heat with a flawless ride was a testament to the high stakes and the unpredictable nature of competition at Pipeline.
Barron Mamiya’s Near-Death Drop at Pipeline
Meanwhile, Barron Mamiya stunned the crowd with an even more extraordinary performance at Pipeline. Facing world champion John John Florence, Mamiya proved why he is one of the most daring and skilled surfers in the world. His ride featured an incredibly difficult drop that, if failed, could have resulted in serious injury. With perfect timing and unrelenting courage, Mamiya made a steep drop into the Pipeline barrel, narrowly avoiding disaster.
As surfing analyst Jedd Smith pointed out, “If he blows the drop there, he’s guaranteed of suffering serious injury, maybe death.” Yet Mamiya’s execution was flawless, with the intensity of his barrel ride surpassing the technical difficulty of many competitors’ performances. The sheer level of risk and execution made it one of the most breathtaking rides in Pipeline’s history.
Surf legend Kelly Slater also weighed in on Mamiya’s ride, calling it “the most incredible, under the lip … he was halfway down the face standing up, and it sucked him up to three-quarters, and he was still freefalling from there.” Slater praised Mamiya’s technical brilliance, saying it was “about as good as anything I’ve ever seen at Pipe.”
The Big Question: Did John John’s Ride Deserve a 10?
The conversation surrounding the perfect rides also led to a discussion about John John Florence’s oversized Backdoor wave. While his ride wasn’t as technically challenging as Mamiya’s Pipeline performance, it was nonetheless a monumental wave. After paddling into the wave, Florence found himself on a massive, growing barrel that stretched across to Off the Wall. His sheer speed and skill kept him on the wave, earning a 9.63 in the heat. Though it wasn’t as technical as Mamiya’s, Florence’s ride will remain a defining moment of the competition.
The Legacy of the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro
The 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro was marked by fierce competition and daring performances, but none stood out quite like the 10-point rides from Barron Mamiya and Jack Robinson. While the outcome of their heats was different, their rides serve as a testament to the unparalleled skill and bravery required to master the infamous Pipeline.
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