In what may be remembered as one of the most electrifying heats of the year, Griffin Colapinto and Filipe Toledo delivered a dramatic Round of 16 showdown Wednesday at the Trestles Pro.
The day was marked by high-caliber performances across the board, with six heats featuring excellent-range totals (16.00 points or higher) and another narrowly missing that mark. Judges awarded 14 individual waves with scores in the excellent range, including a standout 9.33 by Crosby Colapinto — which, remarkably, was not enough to secure advancement.
Still, it was the heat between Colapinto and Toledo that captivated both fans and fellow competitors.
With just 10 minutes remaining in the matchup, Colapinto trailed significantly, holding a single score of 7.07 to Toledo’s 15.50 two-wave total. The San Clemente native responded with a 7.90 two minutes later, narrowing the gap and needing a 7.61 to take the lead.
Colapinto attempted to bridge the deficit with a lofty air reverse, but the judges awarded a score just shy of the requirement. With under a minute remaining, Toledo, holding priority, capitalized on a right-hander, earning his highest wave score of the day — an 8.30 — after executing a clean full rotation.
Colapinto was given one final opportunity with 30 seconds left. He unleashed a series of powerful turns, finishing with a dramatic blowtail that brought fans to their feet. Both athletes waited anxiously on the beach for the final scores.
The result remained uncertain until the very end, with one surfer erupting in celebration among fans as the final scores were announced.
For those who missed the heat live, it’s well worth revisiting the replay.
The next call for competition at the Trestles Pro is scheduled for Saturday, June 14, which could host a stacked finals day if conditions align.
