Watch: Pipeline // December 3rd
Observing the calendar, we're right in the guts of the Pipe Masters - the old Pipe Masters - waiting period, and here it is getting hammered by a raw north-west swell with nary a coloured vest in sight.
Another observation is the number of helmets being worn. Yesterday, of course, Joao Chianca was pulled off the bottom unconcious after hitting his head on either board or reef. If it wasn't a consideration before, surely more people are thinking about protection up top.
Joao catches a number of great waves before that happens.
Overnight, older bro Chumbo has reported that Joao is "doing great and recovering well."
Comments
Was that Jesse Mendes?
3rd wave, incredibly deep.
Benji Brand.
Ah, yes.
Wow, what a wave.
What an incredible session... that bail / pin drop at 6.55 looks bigger and heavier than even Joao Chianca's. Just shows how random it can be out there and anything can happen...
Indeed! Helmet on that one.
From my memory December 8-20 has always been the pipe masters waiting period, CT event or not.
And just like most CTs I also remember pipe pumping each year just before the waiting period started, like today, and then…. Nada
You’re so right, MTP.
In particular the year Owen got scrambled, it was maxing before the event.
They often also got one incredible day during the comp before the rest was done in dribble.
But Pipe contest at this time of year was always the best comp to tune in for, especially when there were a few title contenders in there.
Agreed, even if it wasn’t perfect pipe it was always entertaining, especially with all the different title and requalification storylines.
Pipe ended the season with a bang, trestles with a wet fart
Pipe often pumped during the waiting period including 2019 (Italo v Medina) and 2018 (Wilson vs Medina).
Joao having a red-hot dig before he got taken out
Loved the raw nature of that; added bonus, I didn't have to mute the sound 'coz its the ocean in the moment, not some flog death metal. I'm happy to watch this footage all NS season-long. No singlets is the WSL's loss not mine, or for these free surfers. BTW JO'B -what timing and he took a big hit too. Kalani Chapman's wave etc.
JOB can still get it done-wow.
That cyclone in Qld may produce some big waves at Kirra this weekend.
Imagine paddling into this big swell over the Christmas holidays 2021.....
PS. no sign of jetski tow ins at pipe.
That’s just magic footage, and I also give a thumbs up to ocean sounds as background.
I was checking to see what board lengths they were on, just by eye. Plenty of 7’+ guns and even the shorter ones looked to be 6’6” +. Even Joao’s looked to be well in that area.
It’s great watching longer shortboards being used to such great effect. Love it.
Also how narrow is the gap between an epic ride and a thrashing. Some of those are measured in nanoseconds. Hats off to all.
pumping pipe.
Job not wearing a helmet...normally does ...but still has his impact suit on....and still ripping
Tough crowd to surf at pipe with, no wonder not many pros in the clip. Those guys were a heavy gang of groms at Rockies back in the day, tiny boards , fly away airs , Novak, mikey, kalani Chapman ( looking more like his brother now) the Fredericko brothers , and now they are the old boys on big boards getting the bombs
bravo!
How's on the 4th wave - old captain crookbeard ( JJ ) shaping to go , and then sees J O'B wider , maybe in a better position ? and pulls back to let him have it . Interesting to see the byplay around the actual waves ridden and the intensity in the lineup .
Maybe Sheepy.... or did he just realise that JOB was looking very determined to catch that wave no matter who else was having a crack...?
How good was Seths super stylish subtle body torque for positioning in that stand up tube!
Great clip.