There's an odd synchronocity between the Volcom Pipeline Pro and the Pipeline Masters. The two events bookend the ASP competition season and run eleven months apart – the Volcom Pipeline Pro in January, the Pipe Masters in December – yet they are inextricably linked.

The Pipeline Masters is the only World Tour competition that allows a large swathe of non-tour competitors into the draw. No doubt you're aware of their influence, Jamie O'Brien and Johnny Boy Gomes are two non-tour locals who've won the Pipe Masters, while three years ago little-known Hawaiian, Gavin Gillette, ended Parko's run for the world title at the Pipe Masters.

The Pipeline Masters is the only opportunity Pipe locals get to pit themselves against World Tour surfers and they earn that right by succeeding at the Volcom Pipeline Pro. It is this fact - plus, I guess, the small matter of prizemoney - that makes the Pipeline Pro one of the most vigourously contested surf comps on the planet.

The waiting period for the Volcom Pipeline Pro starts tomorrow and runs for thirteen days. The comp will be held on the best three days of the waiting period. 108 surfers start with just top eight surfers receiving wildcards into the Pipeline Masters at the end of the year.

This Hawaiian season has been a great one for Pipeline with a barrage of early swells, particularly west in direction, sweeping the reef clean of sand. The Masters was graced with excellent waves though they missed an even better swell at the end of the waiting period. That swell was ridden by all the same surfers who'll be competing in the Volcom Pipeline Pro.

The forecast looks promising with two good swells due within the waiting period. The first swell is expected to fill in on Tuesday afternoon (Hawaiian time, Wedneday morning Aust. time) from the north-west, reaching 6ft+ late in the day and then easing from a similar size on Wednesday morning.

A second longer-range pulse is due on Saturday (Hawaiian time, Sunday Aust. time) with a more favourable westerly direction. This swell should reach an inconsistent 8ft+ during the afternoon. A slow easing trend is then expected into Sunday, with a possible reinforcing pulse for Monday.

Check the competition website to view the comp live. Stay tuned to Swellnet's Facebook page for regular updates.