Taylor Knox was surfing incredibly well throughout the event, earning himself a semifinal finish and one of his best results of the year thus far. Photo: Ellis

In one of his best showings on Tour, Alejo Muniz made short work of the Ocean Beach walls and hacked his way into the semifinals. Photo: Ellis

Taylor Knox, taking advantage of the few barrels to grind through Ocean Beach on the final day of competition. Photo: Ellis

Brett Simpson is never one to shy away from taking things above the lip. Unfortunately for the Huntington Beach surfer, he was just a few points short of a semifinals showing. Photo: Ellis

As the clock wound down, Joel Parkinson went for broke with a massive frontside air-reverse in the final, but was unable to stick the landing. Photo: Ellis

In his heat against Joel Parkinson, Josh Kerr was sitting in combo-land and knew he had to pull out all the stops. Although he stuck this alley-oop, he still came up just short. Photo: Ellis

Kelly Slater, punctuating a strange week in his professional career. Photo: Ellis

Eventual event winner Gabriel Medina, flying high on his top-scoring ride against the 11-time World Champ, and exacting payback after Slater’s Round 4 victory over him and Miguel Pupo. Photo: Ellis

For the first time this week, all eyes faded from Slater and the World Title drama after as Medina overtook him in the quarterfinals. Photo: Ellis

Medina throws down a frontside rotation to secure his lead over Taylor Knox in the semifinals. Photo: Ellis

Local ripper Nate McCarthy earned himself a free ride up the beach for his impressive surfing in today’s pre-final expression session. Photo: Glaser

Joel Parkinson is lethal in all conditions, but as the wind blew stronger onshore and the peaks became more mixed, it seemed like the ideal situation for Gabriel Medina. Photo: Ellis

Although Medina looks most lethal in onshore ramps, if his performance in this event is any indication, he’s fully capable of skilled on-rail surfing as well. Photo: Ellis

Joel Parkinson brings the most polished frontside turns to any conditions. Photo: Ellis

Even though he has only surfed in four World Tour events, this is not the first time Medina has been carried up the beach, and it certainly wont be the last. Photo: Ellis

Regardless of the drama earlier in the week, Kelly Slater walks away from the San Francisco event one world title richer. Photo: Ellis

Although he’s too young to drink it, Gabriel Medina bathes in the bubbly after his monumental victory over Joel Parkinson. Photo: Ellis

The Search: Final Day