Australian Mick Fanning took home the big check of $105,000 at today’s Hurley Pro at Trestles, the largest first-place purse in sport’s history.

The Hurley Pro gives surf fans the opportunity to watch the best surfers in the world battle it out as they try to gain points on the ASP World Tour. The stop at Trestles is the 6th stop on the 10 stop tour, and the only contest held in North America.

Nearly 5,000 people showed up on the sand to watch as Fanning won against Ventura’s Dane Reynolds, who had a stellar performance through the entire contest.

CHECK OUT LIVE PHOTOS FROM THE  DAY HERE.

“It’s all about gaining momentum again, and getting that hunger back,” he said about advancing in the World Tour rankings. The Hurley Pro is the only North American stop on the tour.

Fanning congratulated Reynolds on his performance.

“He’s only at the start of what will happen in the next few years,” he said. When asked what he will do with the prize money, he thought for a second: “Mortgage.”

Spectator Stewart Donald showed up at the contest through the week, and watched as Fanning practiced hard every morning.

“He’s a phenomenal worker. It looks fun, but he put in a lot of work,” Donald said

- From earlier today: 

Fanning - the 2007 world champ - took out nine-time world champ Kelly Slater, who was a front runner to win the Hurley Pro. Since the contest started in 2001, Slater has won the event three times, including the past two years.

Slater only had 10.74 heat total in the semifinal, his opponent Mick Fanning earning a 16.26. As Slater came out of the water, he got an applause from fans.

Reynolds - of Ventura - earned a spot after a heat total of 16.77 in the semifinals. Reynolds has been doing really well during the competition, taking out wildcard Rob Machado earlier in the day.

This is Reynolds first career final. He has been on the tour for two years, and is currently ranked 20th on the tour.

Reyes and wildcard Brett Simpson - were knocked out earlier in the week. 

Brazilian Adriano de Souza (who recently moved to Laguna Beach), posted a  heat score of 15.50 to win against Josh Kerr. He was later taken out by Bede Durbidge during the quarterfinals.

Rob Machado was taken out of the contest by Dane Reynolds at about 10 a.m. today. Machado had taken out Joel Parkinson, who was leading in points on the World Tour. He also took out Taj Burrow, who was 4th in the ranking.

The contest is offering the largest first place purse in the history of surfing: $105,000 to the winner, up $5,000 from the previous record of $100,000 given to Huntington Beach’s Brett Simpson at the Hurley U.S. Open of Surfing. 

 Watch highlights  at thehurleypro.com.

LIVE COVERAGE:

SEMIFINALS UNDERWAY AT HURLEY PRO - WILL SLATER TAKE HIS FOURTH WIN?

LIVE PHOTOS FROM THE HURLEY PRO

KELLY SLATER ADVANCES, MACHADO OUT

SAN CLEMENTE SURFERS TO BE SHOWCASED DURING EXPRESSION SESSION

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