Australian world No.1 surfer Molly Picklum, 12-year-old Kelia Gallina and "psycho mode" Teahupo'o are about to make history together.
Gallina will become the World Surf League's youngest competitor when she takes on Picklum and American Lakey Peterson in the opening round of the Tahiti Pro.
One of world surfing's most iconic and feared breaks has been at full throttle ahead of the event, with organisers trumpeting "Teahupo'o goes psycho mode" in their publicity.
Ahead of the event starting on Friday (AEST), some waves were too big to paddle and competitors needed towing out to the break.
But this is Gallina's backyard. She won the local trials event to qualify and will be a significant threat to Picklum, Peterson and whoever else goes up against her.
"It's crazy to think what I would have been doing at 12 versus what Kelia is doing," 22-year-old Picklum told AAP.
"I was getting a surfboard off the sand, a soft top, probably nine-foot, and probably just barely paddling out the back - and she's out at 'Chopes', giving it a go."
Picklum spent time with Gallina when Teahupo'o hosted last year's Olympics event and has no doubt that youngster will be ready for her WSL debut.
"Her Dad is really calculated, he takes her out in conditions where she can thrive, rather than get really scared," Picklum said.
"The forecast is looking a little tricky, but ultimately I believe she's capable - she has all the technique.
"It's cool, it creates stories that people can chew on. It brings more attention and makes it more exciting for the viewers to watch - a 12-year-old trying to take on No.1.
"But for me, not much thought goes into it - I know the surfing she can do and I know the surfing I can do. Ultimately, she's a really cool girl and I love surfing against people like that."
Setting aside the narrative around Gallina, this is a massive event for Picklum.
She has a narrow lead in the world rankings over Hawaiian Gabriela Bryan, who beat the Australian in the final of the most recent round at South Africa.
In a quirk of how the WSL works, that could be the only time this season that Picklum and Bryan go head-to-head in a heat.
This is the last event before the final from August 27 in Fiji. Picklum and Bryan have qualified, but their rankings will determine seedings in the title decider.
"I made a really crucial mistake in the end there and everything else was right there," Picklum said of the loss to Bryan.
"It's exciting for me - I just like putting myself in a place where they're going to have to surf out of their skin to beat me."
Australian world No.4 Isabella Nichols is yet to qualify for the final, while compatriot two-time world champion Tyler Wright is currently outside the top-five cutoff at No.7.
Brazilian Yago Dora is the only competitor among the men to have qualified so far, with Australian Ethan Ewing at No.5 and compatriot Jack Robinson ranked eighth.
"Right now, it's double-XL big wave days out there. There are some really, really big rides happening - probably the waves of people's lives unfolding in our preparation window," Picklum said of the conditions ahead of competition.
"It's a lot to digest, but also so cool to watch."
