Words by Brad Bricknell
Above: Jack Robinson is hoping to claw through the trials and impress again at the Pipe Masters Photo: WSL
The Billabong Pipe Masters waiting period has been off to a slow start, and things aren’t looking much better for the first week. Our man on the on seven mile miracle, Brad Bricknell, gives us a rundown of what is happening behind the scenes at the final event of the WSL calendar.
The inside word
Word on the backdoor peak yesterday morning was the Pipe Invitational would get a start on Day one of the waiting period, giving the contest directors the luxury of picking the eyes out of an average early forecast for the main event. WSL commissioner Kieren Perrow was out there at first light, and unofficially won the freesurf heat against an impressively stacked crowd. He was saying that he felt much better about the forecast than he did a day or two prior, but methinks he’ll be revisiting that after the first swell failed to stick around and day one turned into a non-event.
The wave
If we are not going to get 8 -10 feet heaving Pipe, there are a few surfers the forecast may suit. There is so much sand there this Winter, and there hasn’t really been a significant swell event yet to help cleanse the reef. And all that means is no one has really had any significant game time at pipe this season, and all the action has been focused on Backdoor.
The favourites
If it ends up being a backdoor shootout then there are few perennials you can never discount and Mr. Robert Kelly Slater will be at the front of that queue. Of course we will never leave out the peoples champ – he’s won many a Triple Crown, but the Pipe Masters trophy is still the big fish missing from John Florence’s mantle piece. And we’ve all heard how hungry he is.
Above: 2012 champion Joel Parkinson is always dangerous at Pipe. Photo: WSL
The contenders
I think backdoor still favours the natural footers so I’m putting Julian Wilson, Parko and the big Saffa, Jordy Smith on the list. Jordy has the momentum after the Sunset win, and I’m sure his fans would like to see him go back to back. The outside pick goes to Jack Freestone. The burden of qualifying has now gone and a happy Jack is a dangerous Jack especially in 4 – 5 foot barreling right-handers.
The dark horses
Then there are some sentimental favourites. Bede Durbidge has gained a lot of respect on the rock. His comeback is nothing short of remarkable and regardless of the swell size, Bede will breathe a big sigh of relief getting that first heat out the way at the spot that put him out of the game for 11 months. And don’t count him out for the win… He’s won the event before. There’s also the matter of re-qualifying for a handful of Championship Tour surfers who haven’t made it via the WQS – Keanu Asing is one of them, but judging by the wave of the morning he nabbed today, there is no doubt in his mind how this will play out. And no one would begrudge Bruce Irons a win at the event named in memory of his late brother. He’s got the Billabong wildcard and if can string seven or eight heat wins together it would no doubt be a highly popular win.
The trialists
Then there are still the trialists and pipe specialists to consider… and it’s anyone’s guess who will claw their way out of that first round cage fight. I’d like to see Aussie Jack Robinson have another crack and Jamie O’Brien could prove the ultimate spoiler in his own backyard for Hawaii. Billy Kemper and Torrey Meister were also standouts at Sunset last week, so don’t be surprised if either one of them find their names in the main event.
Above: After winning in Sunset last month, Mason Ho will be one to look out for at Pipe. Photo: WSL
The forecast
Forecasting surf events are always tricky and sometimes even the best in the business get it wrong. Case in point was the final day at Sunset; forecast to be 3 – 4 foot at best, but surprised us all when daylight revealed solid 6-10 foot waves rolling through the bowl. There are rumours that a solid swell is lining up for the second week of the waiting period, and if that’s true, lets just scrap all the small talk and go with John John for the win.
The draw
Men’s Pipeline Invitational Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Kalani Chapman (HAW), Makai McNamara (HAW), Keoni Yan (HAW), Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Heat 2: Billy Kemper (HAW), Jack Robinson (AUS), Cody Young (HAW), Eala Stewart (HAW)
Heat 3: Victor Bernardo (BRA), Eli Olson (HAW), Gavin Beschen (HAW), Myles Padaca (HAW)
Heat 4: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Tanner Hendrickson (HAW), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Takayuki Wakita (HAW)
Heat 5: Ezekiel Lau (HAW), Kaito Kino (HAW), Jamie O’Brien (HAW), Mikey Bruneau (HAW)
Heat 6: Koa Smith (HAW), Kiron Jabour (HAW), Kai Mana Henry (HAW), Kaimana Jaquias (HAW)
Heat 7: Joshua Moniz (HAW), Mason Ho (HAW), Noa Mizuno (HAW), Nathan Florence (HAW)
Heat 8: Torrey Meister (HAW), Finn McGill (HAW), Seth Moniz (HAW), Gavin Gillette (HAW)
Billabong Pipe Masters Round 1 Match-Ups:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson (AUS), Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Ryan Callinan (AUS)
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino (USA), Miguel Pupo (BRA), Bede Durbidge (AUS)
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Nat Young (USA), TBD
Heat 4: Jordy Smith (ZAF), Keanu Asing (HAW), TBD
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kanoa Igarashi (USA), TBD
Heat 6: John John Florence (HAW), Jadson Andre (BRA), TBD
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Conner Coffin (USA), Alex Ribeiro (BRA)
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Stuart Kennedy (AUS), Jeremy Flores (FRA)
Heat 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA), Josh Kerr (AUS), Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 10: Kelly Slater (USA), Caio Ibelli (BRA), Kai Otton (AUS)
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Italo Ferreira (BRA), Jack Freestone (AUS)
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan (AUS), Michel Bourez (PYF), Davey Cathels (AUS)