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'Oh my god': Surfing world left stunned by 'insane' moment

Yahoo Sport Australia

Pro-surfers converging on Western Australia for the Margaret River Pro have been left stunned by a beautiful and absolutely incredible moment.

American surfer Conner Coffin took to the waves on Saturday morning, but he wasn’t alone in the water - a pod of dolphins joined him as he looked to impress the judges.

Spectators, including surfing legend Kelly Slater, could hardly believe their eyes.

“It was insane,” Slater said.

“There were like six dolphins in the lip. I thought one was going to get pitched.

“That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Fellow pro surfers, including the likes of Kelly Slater, were stunned by the rare display.
US surfer Conner Coffin was joined by a pod of dolphins on his third-round run at the Margaret River Pro this weekend. Picture: World Surf League

Coffin’s ride with the dolphins was enough to outscore his opponent, Jesse Mendes, in their third round clash.

The Californian surfer said he could barely believe what he was seeing.

“I just got that wave, and then I looked up and there’s a pod of dolphins right by me and a perfect blue set coming,” Coffin said.

“I thought, ‘Oh my god this is insane’. I was really excited.”

Kelly Slater, Conner Coffin stunned by dolphins

Two-time world champion and former Margaret River champion Florence crashed out on his first wave.

But he recovered with a series of solid barrels to post a two-wave score of 11.83, edging past Australian Jack Freestone (9.16).

"I wouldn't say it was one of my best heats, but it's always nice to make it through the close ones," Florence said.

Slater also copped it from the waves during his heat, but pulled off some smooth rides to beat Willian Cardoso 10.06-7.34.

Australian wildcard Jack Robinson produced the best performance of the day, with the Margaret River local's two-wave tally of 18.57 smoking Filipe Toledo (6.73).

But the news wasn't as good for 2018 world champion Gabriel Medina, who was pipped by Caio Ibelli in their third-round heat.

Medina, who last year expressed fears about re-entering the WA water following two nearby shark attacks, lost 13.67-13.23.

Brazilian Italo Ferreira produced a remarkable tube ride during his dominant heat win over Soli Bailey earlier in the morning.

Italian Leonardo Fioravanti was forced to pull out of his third-round heat after dislocating his shoulder while free surfing on Saturday morning, handing Jordy Smith a pass into the fourth round.

And Brazilian Jadson Andre needed help from a jet ski to escape the danger zone after wiping out head-first onto the reef section during his loss to Wilson.

Andre was left nursing a sore back and had to be carried after reaching the shore.

WITH AAP