Be careful what you wish because it can be fulfilled. Some pros had asked for a Pipe in a big way during the Volcom Pipe Pro, and their wishes were fulfilled.
Banzai Pipeline, on the north coast of Oahu, is where the CT of the World Surf League ends, or what would be the same: the maximum division of the world surf circuit.
Right there is where the year also begins for elite surfers, although in a competition with fewer points such as the Volcom Pipe Pro, but which serves to reconnect and return to see the best in the world in one of the best waves in the world.
The Volcom Pipe Pro, this year was held from January 29 to February 10, with a timeframe of 13 days to run the competition in the most optimal conditions. 144 of the best surfers from around the world such as Jamie O’Brien, Kalani Chapman, Nathan Florence, faced some of the best waves on the planet and at the same time the most terrifying.
Technically speaking, the Volcom Pipe Pro is a Qualifying Series (QS) contest worth 3,000 points for the winner, and is the second QS event of the season for the Hawaii / Tahiti Nui region. But in practice, the annual event is much more: an opportunity for newcomers to accumulate some rating points; a rare invitation to surf Pipe with only three other surfers; and, above all, a place for emerging talents to prove themselves in one of the most important surfing scenarios.
This year was full of all that and more, since Cam Richards of Mainland USA became practically a star; The Australian Jack Robinson once again proved his worth of cannon; and local hero Joshua Moniz secured a victory at the last minute, against his proud ohana.
Waves of six and seven meters breaking in the tref reef, made the organization not beat much. Only ten rounds of the fourth round were played in which low scores were achieved and there were many surprises.
The first, the elimination of the world champion, John John Florence, who can barely add 3.47 points on his scoreboard. It seems a very low score, but is that only the fact of catching a wave already had merit.
“Today is really great,” Florence commented after its elimination. “The parts indicated that it was going to be giant but I did not know if it was going to be outdated or it was going to have a good size, and it seems that in the end it was a bit too big today, with a lot of foam between the series which made it very complicated to be in the right place, it’s fun but it’s a totally different game, it’s like the game of cat and mouse, I have not had enough luck to catch one of the small ones but nothing happens, I’ll go somewhere else to surf, which I’m sure that is pumping well.”
The elimination of Florence has not been the only surprise. Surfers of the likes of Sebastian Zietz, Leonardo Fioravanti, Seth Moniz, Koa Rothman, or Parker Coffin, have also had to pack their bags.
In addition to being recognized by the WSL as a clean and respectful event with the ocean, the Volcom Pipe Pro is certified as a Deep Blue Event for the sixth year by the Sustainable Surf, a certificate that sets the standard for sustainability and minimizes environmental impact . The event also contributes generously to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii and various Hawaii programs.
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