It's just the Invitational now...not the Pipe Masters yet. I have been watching it today. Every once in awhile a nice set will come in but the shape/direction is super challenging it seems.
JayD.....not hating or bashing on you. Don't take offense. I think i saw you post in another thread that you've surfed pipe before. Do like i said, this isn't directed at you. But i always find it funny when people talk about pipe on here. You know, like it's their back yard. I know there are guys who have surfed it. They get a pass. I know pipe is the most well known spot so you don't necessarily have to surf it to know a thing or two about it. But still. It's like guys think they're Ross Williams all of a sudden when the conversation turns to pipe
No offense taken. My specific post was very modest in terms of claiming. I have never surfed huge pipe. But, I have surfed it several times. I honestly don't know what you mean. And, for nearly a decade I surfed the north shore 3-5 days a week during the season (when it was not to big b/c I know my limits) and the rest of Oahu, Maui, and Kauai year around. I can assure you I am no Ross Williams and don't want to come across in that manner... I am editing b/c I read your post to fast... I re-read and you were clear your point was not directed at me ( I think). So, to your point. It's a wave worthy of lengthy convo at any level. I think the greatest thing about pipe is when it's pumping 8-12' and your standing right on the surf's edge watching guys up close absolutely charge the **** out of that wave. It's really pretty cool
I don't think you need to have surfed pipe to know what good pipe surfing is... If you've seen a lot of it over the years and you know anything about surfing I think you can tell who surfs it well and who doesn't... And you definitely know what good pipe is compared to sh!tty pipe...
To clarify...i wasn't talking about talking about good pipe surfing. I'm talking about the guys who talk about swell direction and tide like it's there spot. Oh so and so swell direction can be hit or miss at pipe. That type of talk. No one did it in this thread. But iv seen it on here before. JayDs post reminded me of it but like i said, he has first hand experience so it wasn't directed at him.
The trials were ****. It was better in NJ yesterday honestly. Near term forecast for north shore isn't spectacular. Hopefully they get something good soon.
Yea, shipsterns seems nightmarish. I have no desire nor would I ever have had the desire ( or cajones) to go out there. That step down/ledge that rolls up the face seems brutal.
What about layin' pipe...? Oh, wrong tread, sorry Hope they run the WSL gig today, I can have yet another important, closed-door meeting & watch superb surfing. Great heats coming up!
Anyone have and idea of it will run today? I know there are some people on this thread who know that wave like the back of their hand.
To me the Pipe Masters doesn't shine nearly the way it used to. The format is all wrong. Guys who ought to be in the event arent because the event is based on WSL rankings rather than North Shore charging. It should be the best North Shore Chargers charging the best Pipe they can get in the contest window. The whole event should be an invitational and screw the WSL ratings system. I'd rather watch the Volcom Pipe Pro or some other event at Pipe after the WSL show leaves later in the winter than the Pipe Masters.
the format is wrong...its a wsl event?? Why would they make it an invitational. Thats why they have other events in hawaii...and some local chargers can still qualify for the wsl event or even get an invite.
That's what the Volcom Pipe Pro and Da Hui Backdoor shoot out are for. It's a WSL event, has been for probably 20+ years I guess when under ASP? Until WSL drops the event, which it won't, you gotta have all their surfers in it. The invitational get's some of the local North Shore chargers in at least. Funny though, none of those dudes ever win? (except JOB over 10 years ago....) The top WSL guys that show up for a few weeks are still better then them, even at their home break.
I would probably argue the "better than them, even at their home break" part. Winning the WSL event at Pipe by current scoring criteria and being "better" at Pipe seem a little bit like apples and oranges to me. I had my mind blown watching Kalani Chapman surfing big second reef pipe a few years ago. He was CHARGING it on a 7 foot gun, actually making it look (somewhat) easy because he knew what he was doing. Medina on his 6'2" airdropping in and pulling cutties and airs after getting spit out of the tube for extra points...idk.
I agree with Mitchell 100%. Medina do that a year or two ago. Did an air at pipe and won. Or maybe he didn't win but i remember the result was fanning not winning the title. But when mason was on that big ol board (compared to the wsl guys) after winning the invitational or whatever. That was awesome. He was making it look easy and stylish. In waves like that, making it look easy and stylish is what impresses me most
Thought for sure they would wait.. But its on http://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2016/mct/1540/billabong-pipe-masters
