WEDNESDAY saw surfers take to The Box for the opening round of the 2015 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro.
The Box is an infamous slab that breaks just north of the contest site.
John John Florence is always one to put on a big show and after earning a 7.83 for a deep tube, Florence free-fell into a heavy tube, driving behind the curtain.
As the wave began to close out, he sprang off his board and into a magnificent wipeout, cartwheeling with the tube as it shut down.
Many surfers struggled with the steps at the Box, where ledges of water appeared across the face, which led to some epic wipeouts.
The right-breaking Box proved to pack an additional punch of a challenge for the goofy-footed competitors, who had to take on the heavy conditions on their backhands.
Despite the exhilarating morning, conditions at the Box were deteriorating by midday, and the contest moved back to Main Break.
2012 World Champion Joel Parkinson seemed at ease in the face of monsters that were exploding at Main Break.
His low stance allowed him to execute precise carves on the steep faces.
He racked up a 15.73 heat total, the day's high, and earned a direct advance into the third round.
HEAT ONE: 1. John John Florence (13.00), 2. Wiggolly Dantas (4.46), 3. Dusty Payne (2.60).
HEAT TWO: 1. Jordy Smith (7.73), 2. Jadson Andre (3.40), 3. Brett Simpson (0.50).
HEAT THREE: 1. Kelly Slater (8.20), 2. Kai Otton (3.33), 3. Ricardo Christie (3.27).
HEAT FOUR: 1. Sebastian Zietz (15.23), 2. Adriano de Souza (13.50), 3. C.J. Hobgood (4.40).
WATCH: Sebastian Zietz ride a 9.23 wave.
HEAT FIVE: 1. Freddy Patacchia Jr. (4.30), 2. Gabriel Medina (3.96), 3. Alejo Muniz (3.27).
HEAT SIX: 1. Mick Fanning (14.00), 2. Jay Davies (10.27), 3. Matt Wilkinson (3.34).
HEAT SEVEN: 1. Adrian Buchan (13.74), 2. Josh Kerr (8.73), 3. Keanu Asing (3.33).
HEAT EIGHT: 1. Miguel Pupo (12.43), 2. Glenn Hall (10.50), 3. Felipe Toledo (8.36).
HEAT NINE: 1. Jeremy Flores (15.00), 2. Taj Burrow (11.53), 3. Bede Durbidge (8.10).
HEAT TEN: 1. Joel Parkinson (15.73), 2. Adam Melling (8.24), 3. Kolohe Andino (5.00).
HEAT ELEVEN: 1. Michel Bourez (14.76), 2. Nat Young (14.70), 3. Italo Ferreira (9.93).
HEAT TWELVE: 1. Julian Wilson (14.60), 2. Matt Banting (8.30), 3 Owen Wright (6.80).
