Barrels taking center stage at Sunset Beach? From Jordy Smith's near-perfection to Caio Ibelli putting on a clinic, finding shade from the North Shore sun scored competitors a spot into the Round of 32 with John John Florence, Eli Hanneman, and Kanoa Igarashi joining in on the tube time. But, searing rail-work was also on full display with Ethan Ewing posting an excellent showing his 2024 Sunset Beach debut as competitors who were able to scrap their way through Opening Round bouts found safe passage into the Round of 32, with three-time World Champion Gabriel Medina and current World No. 1 Barron Mamiya thriving in the Elimination Round, and survived the first eliminations.
