Conditions were manmade. Chest high wedges, with nearly the same air section every time. The swell direction was out of God’s hands and at the mercy of American Wave Machines.

The much anticipated Stab High Event sponsored by Monster Energy was held at Waco Texas on Saturday.

After an Acid Drop challenge hosted by Nathan Fletcher that saw Dion Agius run along the wall, pounding cold beers, throwing his leash on in a hurry and hucking himself off the wall; a man in a speedo thong snuck a wave; Austyn Gillette dropping off the wall in full attire, open collared shirt, sunglass and hat; Mason Ho giving it a solid effort; grommie Jett Schilling smashing atop BSR’s rolling crest and Ratboy picking up the scraps; not a single surfer landed a drop. But that’s neither here nor there – the essence of what we hoped to capture in this event was present – laughs, smiles, beers, and sheer entertainment. From the comfort of the wall it was all chants and cheers. Waco, Texas may just be the premiere venue for a surf contest.

With the Event underway, blows going back and forth and a highlight real worth dying for already.

The final was upon  consisted of Ian Crane, Eli Hanneman, Chippa Wilson, Eithan Osborne, Noa Deane and Mason Ho.

For the final each surfer got nine waves, four lefts and four rights and one wave of their choice. After the first round of waves, Chippa Wilson had stuck a heavy full rote. Eli landed a backflip. Noa Deane did a huge frontside shuv, landed backwards and reverted casually.

Mason Ho spent his time on the right, trying frontside finger flips, and christ airs.

Noa Deane started strong, then 15-year-old Eli Hanneman, took the lead.

The stage for progression continually lifted through the event. As Mason said, “If you really want to push your surfing get 6-10-20 of these guys in the pool together.”