Joel Parkinson was unbeatable from the start, downing the Pipe specialists in the early rounds and heading into a title race with Kelly Slater.

Slater can ride Pipe and Backdoor as well as anyone. Or sometimes he just lets loose in the air.

Winning the world title doesn't just earn you money and fame, it gets you shakas from Mark Occhilupo. If you listen, you can still hear the Aussies screaming.

Dane Reynolds proved he is quite possibly the most interesting surfer in the world with a perfect 10, he tamed this maneater in round one.

Joel Parkinson had no problem with Kalani Chapman in round three thanks to this nine-pointer.

How important is your backup wave? Yadin Nicol nailed this perfect 10 in the quarters and didn't advance over Josh Kerr.

How important is your backup waves? Yadin Nicol nailed this perfect 10 in the quarters and didn't advance over Josh Kerr.

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Kelly Slater, at 40 years old, the best there ever was. He had another semifinal appearance and then graciously handed the 2012 ASP trophy to Joel Parkinson.

Joel Parkinson celebrates after learning he has won his first ASP World Title after Kelly Slater was eliminated in the semifinals of the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

Kelly Slater finds a rare proper Pipeline barrel on the final day of competition.

Joel Parkinson is chaired from the Billabong house to the podium after Kelly Slater lost to Josh Kerr in the semifinal.