While there was an absence of surfers taking on the waves on the shores of the Republic, the safety crew took over to perform an impressive ride on a large wave towards the end of the day.
The duo in the inflatable rescue boat skillfully drifted across the colossal wave, much to the delight of both onlookers and commentators alike.
Fanning's bid to win a fourth J-Bay Open came to an end at the hands of 2014 world champion Medina.
Medina enjoyed one long tube ride and a series of big sweeping turns and floats to lay down an 8.5 and 8.9 as Fanning struggled to pick up good scores.
Medina will now face young gun Frederico Morais in the semi-finals.
