Mick Fanning, Rockpiles, Hawaii

The backside grab-rail bottom turn is an often-overlooked element of surfing, but despite its simplicity it can be one of the sweetest to watch when done well. Mick Fanning, pictured here at Rockpiles in Hawaii, has one of the most polished drop-to-drives you’ll see. This was one of the few days that the North Shore scored decent swell before lapsing into a severe flat spell that had pros on the island going stir-crazy. In reflection during the waveless days following this, Mick would’ve been thrilled with the session. Mick surfed one of the best heats of the Billabong Pipe Masters against Dusty Payne. Dusty needed to win to stay on tour in 2011 and Mick had a 9.17 and an 8.77. Dusty miraculously managed a 9.00 and a 9.87, ousting Mick and holding onto his Dream Tour spot. Mick may not have tasted the glory, but still surfed what Matt Wilkinson described as the best heat he saw all year: “It was the best to watch, for sure. So much on the line, and Dusty got one with hardly any time left. So good.” And there’s no doubt Wilko wasn’t alone in his praises.