Viscious Pipeline for Round 1 of the Volcom 2012

The Trials and Round 1 of competition went down at macking Pipeline, with warped, monster tubes and massive wipeouts going down. The carnage went on until the organizers realized it was getting to big and wild and they called it off for the day. Check out long time Pipe Master, Derek Ho getting absolutely guillotined! Pipeline took no prisoners!

Carnage and Mayhem at Day 1 of the Pipe Masters

John John Florence on the first 10 Point ride of the contest. (Photo: ASP)

It has been a long time since Pipeline delivered like this on the first day of competition. Many professional egos were damaged by the 10-12ft death pits on offer. The local Pipe chargers took most of the wins, but our very own Travis Logie managed to sneak past Bruce Irons in round 1 and Tiago Pires in Round 2 to find himself in Round 3 and with a shot of making sure he re-qualifies for the tour next year. The locals were the standouts though, with amazing performances by John John, Evan Valier and Jamie O'Brian. The top ASP surfers still have to enter the line up as they only start in Round 3. Some of them must have been pretty relieved to sit out Day 1.

Almost more impressive than the surfing and waves was the carnage in the lineup. Wide rogue sets, massive free falls and plenty of broken men and boards. This was "Real" Hawaii!



John John Florence was the man to lock down the only 10 of the day. The current Triple Crown leader making the old guard very nervous with his seemingly relaxed approach to these massive tubes.



I am looking forward to Day 2!

The ASP Press release:
BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu/Hawaii (Thursday, December 8, 2011) – The opening day of the Billabong Pipe Masters witnessed historic 10-to-15 foot (4-5 metre) surf at the iconic Hawaiian barrel of the Banzai Pipeline to complete Rounds 1 and 2 of competition in arguably the biggest surf in the event’s history.

The Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop on the 2011 ASP World Title Series, not only represents a crucial event for ASP Top 34 surfers looking to requalify for the 2012 season, but also marks the third jewel of the prestigious Vans Triple Crown.

John John Florence (HAW), 19, navigated the massive Pipeline lineup with ease to eliminate Maui native Kai Barger (HAW), 22, in a commanding Round 2 performance while securing the first perfect 10-point ride of Billabong Pipe Masters competition.

“I got that barrel right off of the takeoff and it pinched and I couldn’t see anything,” Florence said. “It was really sketchy and then I pulled in to that other barrel. It was fun. The waves were firing. It’s the best Pipe has been in so long. There are so many waves that people don’t really see. There are ones going underneath and wide ones, they’re just everywhere.”

Florence, current leader on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, furthered his lead over the field by advancing out of Round 2 and was admittedly relieved to get off to a strong start at the Billabong Pipe Masters.

“There is definitely a lot of pressure to do well with all of my friends and family here,” Florence said. “I want to do well. I was pretty nervous before that first heat and I’m glad I got it out of the way.”

Evan Valiere (HAW), 28, who is competing in the Billabong Pipe Masters as a Hawaiian Wildcard, drove through several Pipe barrels on his forehand to deliver the day’s highest heat-total, a remarkable 18.16, out of 20, in his opening heat and eventually went on to solidify a Round 2 victory as well.

“There were only a couple of waves ridden, but the ones I got felt good for sure,” Valiere said. “It’s just so big. There are a lot of waves coming in on the inside, but it’s not like you’re going on those. When you’re out there, it takes a lot longer to get the ones you want. That 9.33 just felt really good. The takeoff always takes longer than you think and once you get to the bottom, you just set your line. Pipeline is the best feeling in the world.”

Valiere was another native to contribute to the Hawaiian giant-killing spree of the opening rounds, eliminating ASP Top 34 members Fredrick Patacchia (HAW), 30, and Brazilian rookie Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, to secure his position in Round 3.

“It’s unfortunate, I really think Fred’s an incredible surfer,” Valiere said after his Round 1 win. “I definitely did not want him in my heat out here this morning because I knew he was going to be a major threat. I was just fortunate to get my waves. If Freddy wants to get back on tour he’ll get back and do it.”

Ian Walsh (HAW), 28, was impressive in his 2011 Billabong Pipe Masters debut, eliminating ASP World Tour surfers Kai Otton (AUS), 31, and Bede Durbidge (AUS), 28, while threading the needle on a massive barrel of his own for one of the day’s highest scores, 9.70 out of 10, to advance through to Round 3.

“I got pounded and that wave came and it had such a steep tee pee wave on the point that when I took off I was really late,” Walsh said. “I had a similar feeling to the wave I didn’t make before and I got pounded. I let go of my rail and it sucked back before it spit and I almost didn’t make it. When I came out I just had that ecstatic feeling.”

Walsh, who is renowned for his big-wave capabilities, was elated to have big Pipeline conditions on offer for this year’s event.

“You forget you’re even in a heat, you’re just psyched that you’re getting barreled,” Walsh said. “This is the real Pipe Masters. It’s so fun to watch and it’s entertaining for us to surf.”

Adam Melling (AUS), 26, current No. 2 on the Vans Triple Crown ratings, was one international competitor to escape the wrath of the event locals by defeating Mason Ho (HAW), 23, in Round 2 of competition.

“It’s pretty exciting to be in second and have John John just in front of me,” Melling said. “Seeing the way he surfed out there today I’d say it’s not going to be easy to beat him. I’m just excited to be out there and making heats.”

Kieren Perrow (AUS), 34, current No. 25 on the ASP World Ranking and runner-up in last year’s Billabong Pipe Masters, is in need of a result at Pipeline to requalify for the 2012 ASP World Tour and is hungry to finish on the podium again this year.

“I was really nervous before that heat because I need to do well here to stay on tour,” Perrow said. “As the comp goes on it’s going to get harder for sure and the guys out there at the moment are pushing the level. I’m just going to go out there and try and get my waves and see if that puts me in first. Hopefully I can go one better than last year.”

Event organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am local time for a possible Round 3 start at 8am.

For all of the LIVE Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons action log on to www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com/billabongpipemasters2011

For additional information log on to www.aspworldtour.com

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 2 Results:
Heat 1: Marcus Hickman (HAW) 16.50 def. Adrian Buchan (AUS) 9.30
Heat 2: Evan Valiere (HAW) 16.50 def. Miguel Pupo (BRA) 3.70
Heat 3: Ian Walsh (HAW) 16.06 def. Bede Durbidge (AUS) 10.17
Heat 4: John John Florence (HAW) 18.07 def. Kai Barger (HAW) 14.67
Heat 5: Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 2.20 def. Taylor Knox (USA) 2.13
Heat 6: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 5.33 def. Raoni Monteiro (BRA) 2.83
Heat 7: Shane Dorian (HAW) 10.50 def. Brett Simpson (USA) 1.90
Heat 8: Adam Melling (AUS) 9.64 def. Mason Ho (HAW) 8.84
Heat 9: Kieren Perrow (AUS) 14.50 def. Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 5.90
Heat 10: Dusty Payne (HAW) 9.20 def. Kolohe Andino (USA) 6.57
Heat 11: Travis Logie (ZAF) 5.80 def. Tiago Pires (PRT) 5.67
Heat 12: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 9.70 def. Jadson Andre (BRA) 9.27

Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Results:
Heat 1: Marcus Hickman (HAW) 13.67 def. Matt Wilkinson (AUS) 9.46
Heat 2: C.J. Hobgood (USA) 6.50 def. Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) 0.60
Heat 3: Evan Valiere (HAW) 18.16 def. Fredrick Patacchia (HAW) 6.00
Heat 4: Travis Logie (ZAF) 3.57 def. Bruce Irons (HAW) 2.70
Heat 5: Ian Walsh (HAW) 13.00 def. Kai Otton (AUS) 11.63
Heat 6: Kai Barger (HAW) 9.93 def. Chris Davidson (AUS) 6.33
Heat 7: Aamion Goodwin (HAW) 10.34 def. Daniel Ross (AUS) 2.84
Heat 8: Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 14.77 def. Dane Reynolds (USA) 3.24
Heat 9: Kolohe Andino (USA) 5.27 def. Laurie Towner (AUS) 1.17
Heat 10: Shane Dorian (HAW) 6.40 def. Willian Cardoso (BRA) 1.94
Heat 11: Tanner Gudauskas (USA) 4.76 def. Jack Freestone (AUS) 2.63
Heat 12: Mason Ho (HAW) 9.00 def. Hank Gaskell (AUS) 3.93

Upcoming Billabong Pipe Masters Round 3 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Joel Parkinson (AUS) vs. Aamion Goodwin (HAW)
Heat 2: Kalani Chapman (HAW) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Jamie O’Brien (HAW)
Heat 4: Julian Wilson (AUS) vs. C.J. Hobgood (USA)
Heat 5: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Marcus Hickman (HAW)
Heat 7: Gabriel Medina (USA) vs. Travis Logie (ZAF)
Heat 8: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)
Heat 10: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Shane Dorian (HAW)
Heat 11: Josh Kerr (AUS) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Ian Walsh (HAW)

Worst Wipeout - Surfer Poll Awards 2011

It's that time of year again when the Surfer Poll Awards roll into our inbox's. I will be giving you the previews before the awards and we start with the worst wipe outs of 2011. My vote definitely goes to the dude at Cloudbreak, but you might have a different opinion...

Shipsterns is not a friendly wave!

This is a very cool video shot from above the cliffs at Shipsterns Bluff, an angle not seen to often. One thing that is glaringly obvious, is that this wave takes no prisoners. Couple of mental waves made, including some crazy tubes, but way more horrible wipes!

Worst wipeout ever? - James Mckean at Shipsterns Bluff

This wipeout simply sends shivers down my spine!!! Watch the slo motion as he hits the 3rd step and then gets swallowed by the biggest, ugliest tube ever!

Billabong Pro Tahiti - The Captain's Preview

Yes, it's that time of year again when the world's best surfers head to the islands of French Polanesia to surf the most sphincter clenching wave on the planet, Teahupoo. The contest has disappointed the last few years with not much in the way of death defying antics or giant waves and we can only hope that this year will provide a little more size and action. When Teahupoo is on, its one of the Wonders of the natural world, when it's off, it looks like a hundred other little perfect reef passes.

This is the kind of Teahupoo we want to see. Anthony Walsh standing tall. (Courtesy: Robertson/Billabong)

Local Knowledge is Key
You will hear “Teahupo’o” pronounced in a variety of ways, but when we talk to Billabong’s Manoa Drollet, one of the best surfers ever at the break and a Tahitian local, he pronounces it “Chee-yow-po” so we’re running with that.  And what’s “Teahupo’o” translated? Roughly, it means ‘head with no hair’ or ‘place of skulls’. Referring of course to a battle between a couple of tribal groups over the territory pre-European arrival. The area is kind of prized as a really nice piece of farmland with access to excellent fishing -- worth fighting over apparently. The skulls of the losing team were built into a wall to warn off other people who may have been interested in the land value thereabouts.
The freshwater flowing from the mountains inhibits coral growth, thereby creating the reef passes that provide most of the rideable waves in Tahiti. The reef pass at Teahupo’o is known as Passa Hava’e.
If you do get cut by the coral, and it’s kind of inevitable if you’re active in and out of boats and having a surf, the best thing to do in order to prevent infection is rub lime into the cut. Serious! It stings more than hell itself, but sterilizes the wound. The alternative? The bacteria survive inside your body, you get a staph infection (blood poisoning) and the nearest doctor is your new best friend! If you can’t stand the lime treatment, be sure to seek other treatment.
Because most of the surf is off shore in Tahiti, beyond the lagoon that rims the island, ideally you’re accessing the breaks by boat, local-style. Paddling to the breaks is possible, but will often take around 20 minutes one-way. Boats are available for hire to media looking to cover the competition, but booking is required well in advance! Numbers are limited!
There’s normally only one restaurant year-round in Teahupo’o, but roughly 20 when the Billabong Pro is in town! Locals call them ‘Le Snacks’.
Most pros surf something a couple inches longer than their usual shortboards – like a 6’3” - then their quiver moves up in two-to-three inch increments. Eight to ten board quivers are common with the longest board typically around 7’0”. Teahupo’o is a BEAST of a wave so refined, specialised equipment is a must!

Ricrado Dos Santos won the trials. (Photo: ASP)

The Trials
Boasting the second biggest field of Trialists and non-world tour surfers behind Pipeline, the contest has had some big upsets before. This year it was Brazilian surfer, Ricardo Dos Santos who took the win in pretty mediocre conditions to qualify for the main event. He will be joined by local trialist, Heiarri Williams. Expect these two to take some big names down.

Who to Watch
I have a couple of favorites at Teahupoo. These guys have show time and time again that they have what it takes to win at the gnarliest left in the world:
Kelly Slater - he changed how people surf the wave, even downing a beer coming out of a massive tube one year in his final! Never write off Kelly in Tahiti. He missed Jbay and has dropped on thr ratings, he will be very hungry to win.
Bobby Martinez - The man has not had a great year, but if there is one wave he has show time and time again he can win, it's here. Smooth, committed and a consummate forehand tube rider.
Damian & CJ Hobgood - Both brothers have had good results here, in the contest and just free surfing. Neither are intimidated by the big stuff and neither hold back from a possible 10 point ride. They both could use a solid result on the tour, so expect no holds barred action from these guys.
Jordy Smith - What you may say? But yes, I am talking him up. Jordy is the current number 2 and fighting for his first World Title. If he ever wants to achieve this goal, he will need to win at the two big left-handers, Teahupoo and Pipe. He is coming off a win in front of his home crowd at Jbay and has just spent time in Namibia charging the frigid tubes of Skeleton Bay. What better place to hone your backhand tube riding? He has no reputation here yet, expect that to change!

I am super excited for the event, the last before the mid year point and things get real confusing on the World Tour, with some leaving and new faces popping up on the scene at Trestles. If the swell comes, there will be some careers on the line and you can bet your salary some guys pushing themselves well beyond their limits!

Follow all the Live Action at - Billabong Pro Tahiti