SURF SCENE:

TAHITI'S Teahupo'o must be the deadliest wave in the world.

It's hauntingly referred to as the End of the Road.

Despite the luscious, tropical, dream-like atmosphere and stunning terrain as a backdrop, Teahupo'o is not for the faint-hearted.

Yet every year at this time, the world's best professional men surfers are prepared to throw themselves over the ledge for fame, glory, points and of course the prizemoney.

As a spectator's sport, this event ranks as the best for the millions of die-hard internet watchers, glued to the live webcast coverage and the amazing water camera angles that now include mobile drone cameras.

For the World Surf League it really doesn't get more exciting than the Billabong Pro Tahiti with a waiting period from August 19-30.

In a season defined by its unpredictability, a new class of heroes is rapidly emerging in 2016 as the standard bearers of the best surfing on the planet.

Matt Wilkinson from the Central Coast of NSW, but now based at Byron Bay following back-to-back wins to open the season, has maintained his position atop the WSL Leader board, but is being closely pursued by John John Florence (HAW) and Gabriel Medina (BRA).

While the three horse race for the 2016 WSL title continues to crystallise, the battle for requalification rages on with lower-ranked surfers looking to turn their respective seasons around through the back half of the year.

Jeremy Flores (FRA), defending event winner, has long had a special relationship with Tahiti and its razor-sharp reef passes. Having previously won the Andy Irons Performance Award (2011) at Teahupo'o, Flores was a well-established threat at the venue before his emphatic victory in 2015.

"I always loved this place,” Flores said.

"I have been coming here for many many years. I have lots of friends and family from here. This is a special place for me. It reminds me of my island back in Reunion. It feels like home and that's why I love it. The energy of this place is like no others and, of course, the waves... best waves in the world are here in Tahiti.

"Winning here was a dream come true.

"I always wanted to win Pipe and Teahupo'o. I got to win Pipe a few years ago then Tahiti was definitely the one that I felt like I could win. Eventually, when I retire, I will be happy no matter what now that I won my two favourite events in the world.”

Despite his success at the elite level in recent years, 2016 has not been as kind to the Frenchman.

Currently ranked 31st on the WSL Championship Tour rankings, Flores will look to recapture the magic in Tahiti to turn his season around.

"I honestly don't know what is happening this season,” Flores said.

"I have had so many close calls. It's hard to keep confidence when you lose often by so little. I feel like I have been surfing better this year. I think I showed some good surfing at the start of the year, but it wasn't enough.

"Hopefully the year turns around soon, but if not, it's all good. I'm just trying to have fun surfing.”

Taj Burrow (AUS) surfed his last championship tour event during June's Fiji Pro but has been wowing the web pages with his win at the Maldives on a single fin in a specialty event. His position on the 2016 WSL Top 34 has been taken by Adam Melling of Lennox Head.

Owen Wright of Culburra, NSW, remains out with injury and will be replaced by Stuart Kennedy of Lennox Head.

While Bede Durbidge is surfing again after his devastating injury at Pipeline last year, he has chosen not to compete and will be replaced by Sebastian Zietz (HAW).

Bede has taken up a coaching role with John John Florence and will be in the channel watching intently.

Mick Fanning (AUS), three-time WSL champion and winner of the previous event in Jeffreys Bay, continues his selective year in 2016 and has elected not to surf Tahiti this season.

He has been replaced by Dusty Payne (HAW). However Mick has indicated he will be at the following WSL event at Trestles, California.