Reef McIntosh fulfilled a lifelong dream on Thursday when he claimed the individual title at the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout at Pipeline.

McIntosh, a Hanalei, Kauai, resident and a regular at Pipe, earned his first event victory.

"Indescribable," McIntosh said as he stood dripping with champagne following the awards ceremony. "I have never won anything in my life. This is the one contest I always wanted to win, next to the Eddie. It’s my world title, icing on the cake, career highlight, everything."

McIntosh pocketed $30,000 for his win.

The competition at the top was tight, with just 1.90 points separating McIntosh’s first-place score of 115.90 from the 114.00 of third-place finisher Marcus Hickman. North Shore resident Jamie O’Brien took second at 114.40.

"I am happy with second, but it would have been nice to win," O’Brien said with a laugh. "It was a great event and the waves are priceless. It’s cool to surf your backyard with three other guys out. This event is fun with no pressure."

Hickman, also a North Shore resident, earned his third-place finish with some amazing barrel riding and helped Volcom take first in the team rankings.

"It was a bonus," Hickman said of winning the team challenge. "We were lucky that Dusty (Payne) got one of the best waves he’s ever got out there. Bruce (Irons) and me got third and fourth place in the contest. Dingo (Dean Morrison) was right there and posted some high scores as well. It’s cool that we all did well and we had a lot of fun."

The event’s Best Wave award went to Payne, a Maui resident who scored a perfect 12 on an impossibly long barrel during the contest’s second day. He earned $1,000 and a trophy for the award.