With its speed and force, with its terrifying renditions of perfection, the wave has stood as the ultimate challenge to those wanting to make their mark on the elite stage. For some there’s been blood spilled and beatings delivered, for others reputations earned that can’t be renounced. Very few surfers can lay claim to having mastered the wave, however, and for most there will always be room to better themselves—to paddle harder, to sit deeper, to hold on until the very last. For the following five surfers though, the 2016 event presents itself not just as an opportunity for self-improvement, but rather as one to set the record straight.

John John Florence

It seems strange to start this list with a guy widely considered the best tube-rider in the world, but it’s for good reason. See the thing about John John is, despite his preternatural talent and comfort in conditions that’re out of bounds to all but a rare few, he’s yet to claim victory at any of the tour’s heavyweight venues. He’s won France, yes, he’s won Rio twice, but wins at Fiji, Teahupoo, and Pipe still elude him—and that’s got to sting. With a world title now in his sights, and with two AI awards for the most committed performance already in his back pocket, John John will be looking to get his hands on the silverware this year at an event that has long seemed like his for the taking.

Filipe Toledo

2015 was a great year for Filipe. His Round 5 heat against Italo Ferreira at the 2015 Billabong Pro Tahiti, however, was not. While his fellow countryman got to work picking apart the line-up at wonky six-foot Chopes, the usually energetic Brazilian boy wonder failed to catch a wave. And his critics haven’t let him forget it. While his performance at the Pipe Masters later in the year went some way towards redeeming his tattered heavy-wave reputation, a ballsy performance at solid Chopes is really the only remedy to set the haters straight. Here’s hoping there’s some juice in the waiting period and Filly-boy gets his chance.

Filipe will look to improve on his 0.00 heat total from 2015. Photo: Sherman

Jordy Smith

Historically, Jordy and Teahupoo have never really hit things off. In fact, back in 2011 the big South African suffered a torn cartilage and four cracked ribs after wiping out at the Billabong Pro. Many have come to see the wave, and left-hand tubes in general, as a weak point in Jordy’s game, but coach Chris Gallagher claims it’s not the case. ‘He knows what to do when it gets solid at gnarly lefts,’ he told Tracks in a recent interview. Currently sitting at 7^th on the ratings, Jordy desperately needs some big results if he wants to challenge for this year’s world title, and where better to start than at the venue that’s long been considered his Achilles heel.

Earlier this year he found red-hot form at the first Pacific leg, lighting up Cloudbreak, will he find it again in Tahiti?

Michel Bourez

As the only Tahitian surfer on the world tour, you’d think the Spartan would revel in the one event that takes place in his home country, but unfortunately the best he’s managed at Chopes in his eight years on tour is a 9^th. Not that the chiselled natural-footer lacks the know-how in the heavy stuff or the ability to win events, but for one reason or another, things are yet to click for him out there. As a proud representative of the small French Polynesian nation, however, its hard to imagine that turning this stat around is not somewhere near the top of the big fella’s goals. Read more about Michel plans to tackle Teahpoo here

Michel will be looking to make a mark at home. Photo: WSL/ Will Hayden Smith

Matt Wilkinson

Matty Wilko’s proved a lot of things in 2016, but if he wants to hold onto that yellow jersey until the end of the season, he’s going to have to prove a few more yet. First things first, he’s going to have to prove that he can run with Gabs and John John at Chopes, who are not only his closest rivals in the world title race but two of the undisputed best at the famed left-hander. To do that, he’s also going to have to prove that he can get past trial’s winner and former event champ Brunos Santos in their opening round clash. It’s a tall order on both counts, but considering the kind of transformation Wilko’s already undergone this year, you’d be foolish to write the guy off.

Will Wilko hold onto the leader's jersey in Tahiti or freefall into dispair? Photo: WSL/Will Hayden Smith

Now Just to build the excitment a little more … revel in some of the greatest ever rides from the Billabong Pro Tahiti!