The Pipe Pro: Day 4
The Pipe Pro: Day 4
JMD called off competition at sunny 3-4 foot Backdoor on Friday to send them back out in even sleepier 3 foot Backdoor today. Another monumentally bad decision to add to the laundry list of screw-ups which have plagued her tenure, seemingly reaching a new nadir this opening event of the 2024 Tour.
Mostly it would have gone unnoticed but in this instance it meant five-time and retiring World Champ Carissa Moore, one of the best to have ever done it, and arguably only second in line to Moana Jones-Wong in terms of Pipe chops, sitting for twenty minutes in a dead flat ocean twiddling her thumbs.
'Don't look back in anger' - Riss hits the beach after a forgettable last heat...(WSL/Bielmann)
Riss wanted to, “share my heart and perform well”. She effortlessly achieved the former and was denied the latter by the incompetence of her sport's governing body. Carissa's formal competitive career at Pipe ended with TS Eliot's famous “not with a bang, with a whimper”. Eight minutes to go off a thirty minute clock she paddled for a small Backdoor nug, which Bettylou promptly screwed up for her by paddling, pulling back, and creating a chandelier which clearly hindered Moore's forward progress in the small tube. The incomplete ride was judged a 1.57. It should have been an interference.
There was tremendous dignity in her response. She didn't try and scrap her way to a win. She waited for a barrelling wave and attempted to ride the tube. There was no sufficient wave to enable that and the small ride she got filled up in the Ain't's channel for a sub 1-point ride. Carissa looked close to tears on the way in. Embracing her husband on the sand, she could be seen to mouth the words “that was so bad”. He gestured angrily with a face as dark as thunder to the dismal conditions and swore. It's another indictment on the WSL they could not offer a suitable competitive environment for Riss to go out on in her last event in Hawaii.
...and into the arms of hubby Luke (WSL/Bielmann)
Twelve days and all they could find was a couple of meagre Backdoor days that looked better for snorkelling than surfing?
Twelve days and they could not find a window for the world's best female Pipe surfer to showcase her skills? Seeing Moana scrap around doing one turn closeout hits at Backdoor and trying to manufacture a head-dip on a kiddy left was cringeworthy. Made worse, as always, by Joe Turpel trying to roll the turd in fairy dust and force it down our throats as something magical and awe-inspiring.
Short recap today. Once Carissa had been eliminated the rest of the field went into full scrap mode, as if we were surfing a shorey at Manly for a Q'ey. It was not an edifying spectacle with two radical and notable exceptions. Not hard to pick 'em: Pickles and Simmers. The rest of the field has looked very pedestrian compared to these two.
Moodles beware (WSL/Heff)
Caity went for the lip on her first wave with the ferocity of a pit bull after a moodle. She had to eject at the base but the intent was clear. Full charging, in line with the philosophy she outlined on the glass: “I wanna surf more than last year. I'm hyped”. Of course she said that in a catatonic drawl but the actions matched up with the words, so I think we should believe her. She sliced open the first clean Backdoor nug of the day for a 6.33 to leave Isobel Nichols short.
Pickles was even more resolute. Charged a couple of closeouts for non-makes then pumped her way through a drainer for an 8.17, repeating the dose minutes later for a 7.33.
Even if the style isn't there in this attempt, Pickles' intention sure is: Get under the hood for one last pump (WSL/Bielmann)
There's hours of daylight between Pickles and the rest of the field right now, and if there is any credibility to be rescued by the Woz in this debacle of a Pipe show, it will be Pickles with the silverware held aloft come tomorrow afternoon.
Hold your head up high Carissa Moore, bona fide champion who has probably done more than any other surfer to elevate women's surfing to its current level. Those who appreciate good surfing and the good in humanity salute you.
// STEVE SHEARER
Comments
Bravo Steve and bravo Carissa.
As much as I love watching Steph on right hand points, Carissa is the real GOAT. I think her efforts in the last few years to improve her game in heavy conditions are the hallmark of a real champion. Fingers crossed she can take home the gold medal at the Olympics and end her career on the note it deserves. She seems like a genuinely wonderful person as well, wishing her all the best for the future.
Got to meet Rell back in the day, love at first site. Can only imagine Carissa has same presence. Great writing "longtom"..
Urgh, seems like across all spectrums of the surf world this comp is getting absolutely smashed with criticism. What a total shitshow and disaster it’s been from beginning to end (don’t think it’s really going to matter how finals day goes now) for the Wozzle.
Poor Carissa. Kinda devastated for her. But, also, as a fan I’m really embarrassed she had to surf that as her last Pipe heat. Gutted.
It’ll be very interesting to see how Stab tackle this, seeing as they have a gentleman’s handshake agreement with the Woz when it comes to content.
Pickles is a step up on the rest of them when it comes to taking on waves of consequence. Go girl!!
Today’s (Sunday’s) display was the best women’s surfing I’ve ever seen. Impressive from all of them. Molly the standout for mine
3 of them took the bull by the horns.
Impressive by “all” of them, definitely not.
But the three chargers, Molly, Caity, Betty-Lou, with skills to match, have been awesome and made your first line true.
Fair call. I was over enthusiastic in my assessment of “all”. Got caught up in the moment, cheers
"Twelve days and they could not find a window for the world's best female Pipe surfer to showcase her skills? Seeing Moana scrap around doing one turn closeout hits at Backdoor and trying to manufacture a head-dip on a kiddy left was cringeworthy. Made worse, as always, by Joe Turpel trying to roll the turd in fairy dust and force it down our throats as something magical and awe-inspiring"
Hahaha. Is this not the finest piece of literary genius ever attached to the sport of pro surfing. Dip of the cap to you Mr FR. Poetically sound and accurate.
What a bloody disaster.
I tried. I watched Riss shampoo her hair...i watched Moana paddle for 2foot lumps that wouldn't break.
I wonder how they'll fuck up tomorrows perfect 6-8foot Pipe/backdoor.
I also wonder how articles like this will age. Imagine reading an article like this from 15 years ago about the ASP. You'd be thinking, fark...something really off must have been going on back then with the sports governing body.
There won't just be an asterisk next to Flippies name for this era.
Btw, can JMD still stand up on a surfboard??
Hell of a rolemodel for health and wellbeing and the healthy surfing lifestyle that one. Hell of a rolemodel.
Yep shame on them for doin that to Carissa Moore... That was so shit.. "that was so bad" indeed. Fuck turpel and his bullshit I can't stand his voice , his pure b.s is even worse. Hats off to you Steve for sitting through it all. Ugh I couldn't. See what tomorrow brings
Turned it on this morning, and then off. Was not Pipeline.
Great write up. All the best to Clarissa!
does Joe Turpel have even the slightest idea how fucking inane he sounds .
Today he reached new heights of absurd overhyping
we give you a 9.77 Joe - well into the excellent range for bullshit
Btw that simmers picture is rad.
What a joke of a disorganisation.
Agree with Carissa being given the short shift .........feel for her deserved better than that .....on another note gotta ask what's a moodle ?
Maltese terrier crossed with a toy poodle.
Little old lady doggy.
(yes, we do have one here at home- 15 yrs old, one eye, totally deaf). Best lap dog ever.
Wee Rosie. Good doggie.
I feel ashamed on behalf of surfing that Riss was hung out to dry like this, and not celebrated as the true champion she is.
And that Joe T had the nerve to gaslight us for good measure.
For shame, Wozzle.
On the positive side, bravo Molly, Caity and Steve.
Moodle Magic
nice
Cracker write up. Carissa should be remembered as the woman who progressed modern day female surfing. Worth more than any wsl title imo.
JMD seems to make bad calls often.
Does she and/or Travis get to make the calls?
It was disrespectful to the women to send them out in small incontestable surf
The other day, one of the women paddled into a left and went straight instead of knifing it. Joes goes, ‘what a fun take off!’
About all you need to know about that bloke.
JMD gets heaps but are we sure she’s the one pulling the levers? Surely she’s just the front woman or just one of a gaggle of incompetent pretenders holding surfing at ransom?
Exactly the reason you have take it at face value and blame her.
I don’t blame her. Definitely part of it, but no way is she making these calls on her pat malone.
I feel sorry for her really. Not sure why she’d want that job.
I didn’t think it could worse….but it did and will. It’s brought back pro surfing years.
I didn’t think it could worse….but it did and will. It’s brought back pro surfing years.
Perrow and Renata Hickman? Can’t remember his name, never made these silly decisions.
Renato Hickle. Not a bad fella, to be fair. Cooked my mate Knuckles' kid once and was in the cross hairs for a severe flogging but apologized and manned-up top his mistake, unlike any of the flops running this shit show today
Thought about it after posting a comment in the live section earlier, but it’s a shame that Carissa wasn’t chaired out of the water after her heat. Perhaps, nobody expected her to lose. But for as many girls and women surfers she has inspired, especially in Hawaii, she deserved a champion’s farewell. She’s a class act and if indeed it was her last wsl heat, it should have been a tribute more than the last image of her almost in tears hugging her husband.
Sunset swan song people.
Thought about it after posting a comment in the live section earlier, but it’s a shame that Carissa wasn’t chaired out of the water after her heat. Perhaps, nobody expected her to lose. But for as many girls and women surfers she has inspired, especially in Hawaii, she deserved a champion’s farewell. She’s a class act and if indeed it was her last wsl heat, it should have been a tribute more than the last image of her almost in tears hugging her husband.
Agreed. Regardless if Carissa won or lost during this event they should’ve made a big show of it & respectfully honored her career & legend status. How hard could that’ve been to organise.
Hopefully it’s pumping & clean for the finals.
Not even a mention of Carissa on the dozens of posts from today on the WSL’s Instagram. It almost seems like it’s deliberate.
They know the comments will be flooded with abuse directed at the WSL in the comments
I thought of that too. Maybe she stepped on some toes. As lovely as she is, I bet there are some very sensitive toes in the Wozzle.
It's kind-thinking from you @WhoSO. It is hard to know, every person who leaves a thing they have loved (that has turned into a dirty hovel of self-serving fucktards) knows the feeling..
just a numb evaluation of what is real for you from this day forward..
Carissa has warmth and friends and reality and surf-writing and family and travel and exploring and Luke - so much more than she has had while putting these things on hold for the wsl.. ending like this will just make it a 'meh' to walk away from, could be very healthy for her, I reckon.
Carissa is a great ambassador for surfing, one of the greats, what a shame that she had to go out in those conditions. And without any real acknowledgement...
"Not hard to pick 'em: Pickles and Simmers. The rest of the field has looked very pedestrian compared to these two."
Exactly.
WSL (Dirks' distraction)are a totally inept and dysfunctional organisation how they get it wrong so often beggars belief.
Well said @sanguine and also @basesix, great observations above.
Re. Molly and Caity, they both appear to me to have been doing the most training in the off season. They both look strong, highly tuned up and ready to put that training into practice.
They just seem that step ahead in their fitness levels.
Good off season.
so totally agree with “Another monumentally bad decision to add to the laundry list of screw-ups” and thanks again for the perceptive analysis of the WSL circus. Carissa set the bar for a long time and deserves better.
Shemozzle.
The WSL has set the bar so low we're gonna need James Cameron to raise it from the depths it has sunk to.
Feel for Carissa for sure. Hopefully she can go out on a high with the Olympics.
Sad way for Riss to finish - but if she needed any affirmation she was making the right decision, this was it. She's a big loss for the tour, not only the best female surfer, but also an articulate, authentic version of what the wsl (seemingly) aspires to be. Carissa without the tour will go on to better things.
And the broadcast...
Damn!
It seems like every time someone intends to paddle for a wave they have to cut to some bs lifestyle camera of some sort.
The broadcasting director's lack of interest in the competition is clear.
Perhaps the WSL's recommendation is exactly that: forget the competition and focus on the atmosphere...
Big Pipe. It's a roll of the dice. Beautifully captured in this vid, on a day not unlike the woz decided to avoid at all costs.
Big Pipe is a roll of the dice. You don't paddle out unless you're willing to roll that dice.
You don't have a contest at Pipe if you're not willing to surf Pipe for what it is. A place where surfing transcends sport and becomes a spiritual pursuit.
You don't join the pro tour if you're not willing to step into the spiritual realm of Pipeline.
This video could have been the Woz hightlights from a few days ago. 10s and 2s. A heat total of 2.1 v 1.1...or 19.97 v 18.85.
It's Pipe.
Nature of the beast.
That cover pic looks like Lachie Rombouts tadpoles experimenting with their new big wave world.
hahaha
A 'happy accident' one might conclude @basesix.
Terrible way for Carissa to have to go.
Nothing much to add on what the others have said but I’ve loved watching her surf over the years and have been fortunate enough to see her in the water a few times. So impressive and comes across as a genuinely nice and very humble person. Great role model.
Hope she can dominate at the Olympics.
In better times https://m.
What a sad state of affairs. No real send off for one of the sports true greats. Riss is far to mellow, but a Bobby style fuck-you to the Wozzle would have been fair. Did they even interview her post heat? Heard a great comment from a former world champ last night - "Mick went out the day after his brother died and won at proper Pipe, and this guy calls "gastro" an excuse? We would give our left nut to surf those waves with three other guys"....
Three good waves in one day...
This is a genuine question for woz. Why bother having a women’s comp at pipeline if they won’t run in anything bigger than 4ft? If the woz feels like big pipe is beyond the women, why not go back to Honolua bay? I think this is the 3rd or 4th year of having the women at pipe, and there’s been no change in the attitude towards the conditions that the poor girls are sent out in?
I mean no disrespect, as most of the girls on tour would probably love to have a good crack at 6-8ft pipe, like they had for the vans comp.
I honestly reckon the whole tour needs restructuring. A new tour altogether.
You shouldn't have a challenger series that runs in Huntington, Manly, Saquarema and Ballito, and expect those that rise from the ranks of that tour to have any experience in a completely different form of surfing, big heaving slabs over shallow reef.
The onus of fixing the tour, lays in fixing the qualification process.
Same as having the qualifying rounds in El Salvador in a playful beachbreak as your criteria for getting into the Olympics at a triple black diamond wave like Teahupoo, where most of the qualifiers have probably never, ever had to turn and burn on a black, 8foot plus lump of Pacific Ocean throwing its whole mass onto a shallow, draining live coral reef.
Ridiculous to even think they're in the same sport. Who the fuck is running this whole shit show that thinks this is normal??
Carissa Moore deserves her surf goddess status, must have a Voodoo level hatred for their meddling ways, carries the reverse asterisk x2 world titles they fucked up for her.
The pickles photo caption is interesting. Style wise it's not pretty, I'm sure I've seen shots of Kelly and AI in that exact pose though, pumping and ducking at the same time, it's the method
or go back 70 years
&ab_channel=BACKINTIMEi had no idea today's running of the comp was another knock on (dodging better conditions the previous day) by the WSL. seemingly not quite the stuff up of a few days ago with the men's lay day due to too much pumping surf.
i did find it tough watching Carissa Moore's heat.
i always find it tough watching any comps when there's not enough waves to give everyone at least half a chance. must be the stuff of nightmares for the competitors. pure luck. always skews the results.
i was blowing up at that paddler causing the chandelier on CM's best chance. actions like that would've copped you a berating at my old local or a beating if you did it to one of the ex-cons. in a heat having a wave skunked like that on a day with better conditions and more opportunities may have reduced your win chances by 10-20% but today i'd reckon near a 90% reduction... maybe more. i turned the sound up to see if they were talking about it... they sort of did.
hopefully CM gets the choice of having another go with an invite back for next year's comp.
Comments above are spot on ..!! As a fan of surfing ( pro surfing ) I’m disappointed for Riss and the sport of surfing in the way a legend of women’s surfing was treated today ( yes waves terrible) no farewell chaired up the beach thanks nothing..I better Kelly slater won’t get the same treatment..WSL O RISS 10 hall of famer legend!!!!!!!!
Thankfully there is a MUTE option . I never want to hear another syllable from Joe again .
The women surfed some solid Pipe in the 2022 WSL event. Moana Jones Wong won.
Riss is a 5 time world champ. the first ever Gold medal in women's surfing .
She'll be fine , hold you headhigh and proud !
The WSL wont solve the problem but someone will, Slater and the Arabs will create a mobile breakaway tour it only a matter of time, WSL has no $ or balls to do this, like Golf and other sports it just a matter of time, top 10/15 or so surfers only will cash in like never before...I live in Dubai and they like new things so the Wavepool is a start, with all due respect no one cares about surfing (pros living off Youtube) so the $ will come from a non surfing nation. A Gold medal @ the Olympics be sold for $250000 first prize cheque on mystery tour at the best place at right moment
I did wonder, if Conner can surf for Japan and Tatty for Brazil, could Kelly go for gold for Syria?
If he's wearing the Thawb at 20 foot pipe getting paid millions why not, be more politically safe that surfin for the US Anus