Day 2 of the Volcom Pipe Pro saw big upsets and huge waves on the North Shore in the 8- to 10-foot range.

The shocking elimination of the day was three-time Pipe Pro champion John John Florence, who went down in his first heat against an on-fire Evan Geiselman of Florida. Geiselman posted the highest combined heat total of the event with an 18.53 out of 20.

Florence was out of rhythm with the ocean and could not find any quality waves during his heat. Another former Pipeline champion who had trouble finding the right waves was 11-time world champ Kelly Slater, who advanced in second behind Chris Ward. Slater did not come out of either of the barrels he pulled into, making his rides incomplete.

Ward placed second in the event last year and was excited about his win over Slater.

"I wanted to get out there and start off with some rights, then get back out there and get some lefts before Kelly got any," Ward said.

"I think he just had a slow heat, so I was just lucky to actually beat Kelly Slater, because he is my idol and he has been forever, since the first time he surfed out here and won."

Ward posted the first high score of the heat for a draining backdoor barrel of a 7.33 (out of 10) and never looked back, building momentum while controlling the lead.

Former Pipeline champion Jamie O’Brien surfed well in the heavy conditions, posting an 18.24 combined heat total, the second highest of the event.

O’Brien also posted the second-highest wave score of the event with a 9.57 for a steep and deep tube ride

"I paddled out and didn’t know what to expect, but I was just hoping to get a couple good waves and I kind of waited and picked out a few really nice waves," O’Brien said.

Other standouts of the day were Parker Coffin of California, Hawaii’s Reef McIntosh and Ian Gouveia of Brazil.

Competition will resume on the next contestable day of waves.