Conner Coffin had a day to remember at The Box, in Western Australia, during the 2019 Margaret River Pro.
The Californian surfer was surfing his Round 3 heat against Jesse Mendes when something unexpected took over the lineup.
Coffin took off on a perfect right-hand wave, pulled in for the barrel and was suddenly dropped in by a pod of local dolphins riding shotgun.
"It was so insane out there I was so fired up before that heat. I had to kind of calm myself and remember to focus on the task at hand," explained Coffin.
"I just remember that I thought I was a bit too deep, hassling for priority, then Jesse got one, then I looked up and there were all of these dolphins around me and this perfect big, blue set wave for me and I was just like 'Oh my, this is insane!'"
"I have always felt a connection with the ocean and a sense of belonging when I'm in it. These dolphins were about five feet away from me right as this wave popped up and I knew it was going to be a special wave."
"We're so lucky to get barreled in our heats sometimes, and The Box is as fun as it gets. This was definitely a good day at the office."
Conner Coffin says that his party wave with a family of dolphins "sums up all of the reasons I love what I do so much."
The truth is that dolphins love surfing, and they actually ride waves for the thrill of it. Like humans.
Kelly Slater: "I'll Never Forget It"
Kelly Slater witnessed Coffin's party wave with the dolphins.
The 11-time world champion was already excited about the opportunity to surf pumping waves at The Box but witnessing this feat made the day all the more special.
"Today is a memorable day on Tour and in life really. I'll probably never in my life forget watching Conner pull into that one with the dolphins in that crazy wave," added Slater.
"That is one of the coolest things you can ever experience in surfing, even to not be there and just be watching is awesome."
"Hard to soak it all in because there were fins everywhere and the dolphins were bodysurfing underwater. It was unbelievable."
"It is just so fun to watch. I've just had butterflies excitement all morning. It is so fun to be competing when the waves are like this."
"These conditions, if you get to surf with one guy out at The Box, I would say is the day of the year for us on Tour," concluded Slater.