Surfer Poll Awards

JJF, Carissa Moore and 'View From a Blue Moon' score big

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 7 December, 2015 - Turtle Bay - John Florence, Carissa Moore and View From a Blue Moon took top honors tonight at the 45th annual SURFER Poll.  Turtle Bay Resort, on the North Shore of Oahu, played host to the biggest night in surfing where SURFER magazine honored the fan-favorite men and women as well as top videos and performances of 2015.

In the Men’s Reader Poll, John Florence claimed his second No. 1, and dominated the Video Awards taking home Movie of the Year, Best Performance and Best Maneuver for his multi-faceted role in View From a Blue Moon co-directed by Blake Kueny. 

Florence’s trajectory at the SURFER Poll began in 2011 when he earned his first award as the Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer. The following year, he debuted on the Reader Poll in the #2 position behind stalwart Kelly Slater. In 2013, he held strong at #2 on the Poll while also nabbing Best Performance and Movie of the Year video honors.  And in 2014, he made history by ousting 19-time fan favorite Kelly Slater from the top of the Poll after a decade reign.

“When I first started riding for Hurley, they asked me what I really wanted to do.  I said I wanted to do the (World) Tour and I wanted to make a movie,” said Florence. “Those guys kind of gave me the freedom to do this and travel the last couple of years.  I couldn’t have done it without all my friends, my family, my mom, my brothers, they supported me through the whole thing.”

Newly crowned three-time World Champion, Carissa Moore, nabbed top honors in the Women’s category.  The win marks Moore’s second time topping the Poll, last winning in 2011.  The women have played musical chairs for the past several years with all of the Top 5 names carrying over from last year, in a slightly different order.

“There is no way I won the SURFER Poll,” said Moore.  “This is so cool. You know I have so many people to thank for this incredible year.  I first off want to thank all the girls that are surfing so well this year.  I want to thank my dad, my boyfriend and my family of sponsors.  I love the surfing community so much.”

After an amazing year that included wins at the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Oi Rio Pro, Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal and Oakley Lowers Pro, Brazil’s Filipe Toledo, the youngest surfer on Tour and current World No. 2, was granted the prestigious Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer Award.

Worst Wipeout, decided by public vote, was awarded to Niccolo Porcella for his epic fail at Teahupo’o, Tahiti.

And, The North Shore Community Land Trust received the Agent of Change award and philanthropic donation from VIP table sales for their tireless work to protect and preserve the rural character of the North Shore of Hawaii.

“It’s always an awesome experience bringing the icons of our sport together for a night of celebration on the North Shore,” said SURFER Editor Todd Prodanovich.  “We’d like to congratulate all the winners, who pushed the limits of surfing and filmmaking this year and inspired us all in the process.”

If you missed the live webcast, log on to SurferPoll.com to see the full show, as well as behind-the-scenes photos, results, and more.

2015 SURFER Poll Results

Men’s Poll Winners:

#1 - John Florence

#2 - Kelly Slater

#3 - Mick Fanning

#4 - Julian Wilson

#5 - Gabriel Medina

#6 - Owen Wright

#7 - Dane Reynolds

#8 - Filipe Toledo

#9 - Kolohe Andino

#10 - Joel Parkinson

Women’s Poll Winners:

#1 - Carissa Moore

#2 - Sally Fitzgibbons

#3 - Coco Ho

#4 - Stephanie Gilmore

#5 - Alana Blanchard

Movie of the Year: View From A Blue Moon (Blake Kueny and John Florence)

Best Performance: John Florence, View From A Blue Moon

Best Short: Sampler (Marine Layer)

Best Documentary: The Fisherman’s Son (Chris Malloy)

Best Web Series: #Tournotes (Peter King)

Worst Wipeout: Niccolo Porcella, Teahupo’o

Best Barrel: Nathan Florence, Teahupoo

Best Maneuver: John Florence, View From A Blue Moon

Heavy Water: Jamie Mitchell

Agent of Change: North Shore Land Trust

A.I. Breakthrough Performance: Filipe Toledo

Special thanks to SURFER Magazine partners Nexen Tire, Martin Guitar, New Era, Peligroso Tequila, GoPro, Dos Equis, Turtle Bay Resort, Oceanic Time Warner Cable and Oceanic Time Warner Cable Business Class for helping to bring the biggest night in surfing to life.

GromSearch Finals

Bowls, Ala Moana Oahu
4 - 9 May 2016

Ala Moana Bowls confirmed to host the International GromSearch Final 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 January, 2016 - Costa Mesa - The Rip Curl International GromSearch Final will be held in the super hollow lefthanders of Ala Moana Bowls in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 4 to 9, 2016. Winners of the 2015 National Series finals in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Indonesia and South America will converge on the idyllic location to compete for the coveted title.

It is the first time the International Final has been run in Hawaii. While the event itself will be held in "Town" Rip Curl will be searching for uncrowded late season swells in the "Country" and will look to show the surfers the ins and outs of the North Shore, rounding out the full Hawaiian surfing and cultural experience.

The Rip Curl GromSearch series has been a true stepping stone for the recent champions of surfing.

Former International GromSearch competitors who are currently competing on the WSL Championship Tour include: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Kolohe Andino (USA), Felipe Toledo (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Jordy Smith (ZAF), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Tyler Wright (AUS), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Malia Manuel (USA), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS) and Nikki van Dijk (AUS).

Back in October at the RCGS National Final held at Upper Trestles, CA, Nolan Rapoza (Long Beach, CA) and Summer Macedo (Lahaina, Maui, HI) were crowned USA National Champions and will proudly representing their region in the upcoming International Final.  

662 Rideshop Westside Challenge
Presented by Gyroll Wetsuits & Science Bodyboards

Kellogg's IBA Hawaii Tour
Keaau, Oahu Hawaii
16 - 17 January 2016

Sammy Morretino

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 January, 2016 - The last event of the Kellogg's  IBA Hawaii Bodyboarding Tour wrapped up at Keaau on the Westside of Oahu. Fins were flying for the two day competition in challenging 6 foot plus solid surf.

The 662 Rideshop Westside Challenge presented by Gyroll Wetsuits was insane, a perfect choice, as directors postponed the event to insure the best surf possible. Kauai's Sammy Morretino made history by clinching all three titles in the Kellogg's Hawaii Tour, Drop Knee, Stand Up and the Pro Men's Division.

Surprisingly he did not win one pro men's event but was able to hold on to enough points to take the title, a second at Bowls, a fifth at Sandy Beach, a third on the Big Island and a second at Keaau. Keahi Parker, rated 12th coming into the event,  busted his chance to win one, Morretino took the second behind Parker.

Parker is no slouch when it comes to big surf and proved his merit in the final. It was close though with Parker scoring 16.1, Morretino 15.4 and JB Hillen was not far behind in third with a 14.57. Tanner McDaniel was lacking a good score but was the youngest in the final and a standout throughout the competition winning the Junior division!

It was a battled and tied between Karla Costa and Melanie Bartels going into this final event and it was Costa getting the nod to win the event and the series. In the Masters legend Pat Caldwell garnered enough points for the title and in the Junior Kawika Rohr-Kamai had racked up two firsts and a second, enough to be the overall champ. 

This tour was spectacular with good surf throughout and important as top tour finishers get seeded straight to the Mike Stewart Pipeline Invitational (Feb 21-Mar 4) without having to do the trials.  
 

Mens Division
1.  Keahi Parker
2.  Sammy Morretino
3.  JB Hillen
4.  Tanner McDaniel

 Women's Division
1.  Karla Costa
2.  Melanie Bartels
3.  Lindsey Yasui|
4.  Summer Hillen

 Junior Division
1.  Tannner McDaniel
2.  Peter Piho
3.  Keoni Horswill
4.  Ezekiel Bartels

Dropknee Division
1.  Bud Miyamoto
2.  Sammy Morretino
3.  Abe Balmores
4.  Dayton Wago

 Standup Divison
1.  Sammy Morretino
2.  Mack Crilley
3.  Abe Balmores
4.  Kai Holt

 Master's Division
1.  Pat Caldwell
2.  Jimmy Hutaff
3.  Ben Severson
4.  Keith Sasaki

2015 KELLOGG'S IBA HAWAII TOUR CHAMPIONS

Men's Division - Sammy Morretino

Women's Division - Karla Costa

Junior Division - Kawika Rohr-Kamai

Dropknee Division - Sammy Morretino

Standup Division - Sammy Morretino

Master's Division - Pat Caldwell

Volcom Pipe Pro

WSL Men's QS3000
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
28 January - 7 February 2016

Big QS points on offer, but Pipe is the main draw

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 January, 2016 - Pipeline - The Volcom Pipe Pro attracts elite surfers from around the world with its unique combination of rewards: A $100,000 prize purse, up to 3,000 regional points to profit, an occasion to surf Pipe with only a few others out.

And perhaps best of all, the opportunity to gain entry into the Pipe Invitational for a wildcard spot in the Billabong Pipe Masters - the year-ending cap of the Samsung Galaxy World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour (CT). A solid result in the Volcom Pipe Pro means a guaranteed start in December’s Pipe Invitational.

With a holding period of January 28 to February 7, competition will take place on the biggest and best three days of surf. The Volcom Pipe Pro’s track record of epic, barreling surf draws major talent year after year, making it a true mix of aspiring professionals and the sport’s greatest names. This year, 11x WSL Champion Kelly Slater (USA) and Hawaii’s own John John Florence are among the top seeds.

Three additional WSL CT surfers – Keanu Asing (HAW), Conner Coffin (USA) and Wiggolly Dantas (BRA) will also compete. 

Regional Hawaii surfers comprise nearly half of the 112-man competition field, yet the international mix is strong, with 20 different countries being represented including France, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, South Africa, Costa Rica, Peru, New Zealand and more.

The event is also an opportunity for aspiring young locals to test their skills against the world’s best. Two of yesterday’s Sunset Pro Junior teen finalists are among the youngest contenders confirmed for the Volcom Pipe Pro, demonstrating the opportunities the event offers to youth: Griffin Colapinto (USA) and Noa Mizuno (HAW) - both 17 years of age.

Up against proven Pipe Masters like Slater and Bruce Irons, Mizuno of Honolulu prepares for the QS3,000 by keeping his mind focused on catching the best two waves he can find.

“I believe that competing with anyone out there is the same, although John John and Kelly Slater are complete freaks of nature,” said Mizuno. “But I feel that as long as I position myself in the right spot every time, I will have the chance to get those waves they find… I look up to Kelly, he's one of the best out there.”

The teens represent the next generation of surfers that WSL Hawaii is enthusiastically looking to career-prepare.

Sunset Pro

WSL Men's QS1000
Sunset Beach, North Shore Oahu
17 - 27 January 2016

Fuller, Young, O'Brien and Gaskell advance through early rounds

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 22 January, 2016 - Sunset Beach, North Shore, Oahu - Whales dotted the horizon as surfers weaved through playful 4-6+ foot waves during Day 1 of the Sunset Pro, a World Surf League (WSL) men’s Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 event. Earlier this week the Sunset Pro Junior was held here, won by Riley Laing (AUS) and Brisa Hennessy (HAW).

Regional favorites Danny Fuller (Kauai), Mason Ho (Oahu), Jamie O’Brien (Oahu) and Sunset Pro defending champion Hank Gaskell (Maui) saw success in the tricky conditions, while Rainos Hayes (Oahu) was the only surfer to advance into the Round of 64 after competing as an alternate in the first round.
 
Hayes is a surf coach and mentor for Billabong team riders and works closely with the up-and-coming juniors of Hawaii. The 46-year-old talked about the talent here today:
 
“The level of competition and the quality of the competitors is world class. Here we are at a world class venue with conditions that are tricky, but the quality of the young kids coming up, the veterans that are here, and the guys that are absolutely in the prime of their life is through the roof.”
 
Ulualoha Napeahi (HAW), 19, had one of the highest combined scores of the day, a 14.50, in his heat against Cody Young (HAW), Jason Shibata (HAW), and Edrick Baldwin (HAW). The Big Island athlete will surf on Day 2 of the competition.
 
Young also advanced and is one of the youngest competitors in the Sunset Pro. At 16, the Maui athlete looks forward to the next day of competition.
 
“We’ve had a bunch of big days for this contest where it was just too big to run, and with the forecast being as big as it is, I’m a little bit nervous,” said Young. “But I have big boards so I’m ready if it comes down to it.”
 
Cody is looking to get a slot into the upcoming Volcom Pipe Pro, whose holding period begins this Thursday.
 
“I was a couple spots off in the regional rating, and I think it’s the next two remaining people in the region that do the best in this contest who get a seed in the Volcom Pipe Pro,” said Young. “I’m just trying to make as many heats as I can and try to get into that contest.”
 
Sunset standout and 2014 HIC Pro champion Danny Fuller (HAW) posted the second highest single wave score of the day behind Brazil’s Victor Bernardo (8.90) - an 8.75 for a few solid turns on a set wave. With a decreasing swell however, the lineup proved difficult to read and surfers found themselves scratching for scores.
 
“The conditions are absolutely beautiful, but we have a dropping swell so it’s kind of going in between the outside and the inside,” said Fuller. “A lot of guys are getting lost and not really getting good scores, so I just got really lucky and got a few good waves and I’m stoked.”
 
Official event forecaster, Surfline.com predicts head-high surf for Saturday as the old NW swell drops and a new WNW swell moves in for the late afternoon. The surf builds for Sunday and Monday as the new swell fills in, which could see waves up to 25 feet pound the North Shore. As a notorious big wave venue, Sunset Beach is known to handle large surf and adds to the excitement for beach spectators and challenge for competitors.
 
Contest officials will determine by 7am tomorrow morning if the Sunset Pro will resume for the final day of competition.
 
Remaining Round of 64 Matchups:

H12: Kiron Jabour (HAW), Keoni Yan (HAW), Travis Beckmann (HAW), Rainos Hayes (HAW)
H13: Tanner Hendrickson (HAW), Gavin Gillette (HAW), Dylan Goodale (HAW), Danny Fuller (HAW)
H14: Billy Kemper (HAW), Brian Toth (PRI), Eala Stewart (HAW), Chris Foster (HAW)
H15: Joshua Moniz (HAW), Makuakai Rothman (HAW), Mikey Bruneau (HAW), Ulualoha Napeahi (HAW)
H16: Kaito Kino (HAW), Kaimana Jaquias (HAW), Elijah Gates (HAW), Cody Young (HAW)
 
RESULTS
Shown in order of 1st through 4th. All surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.
 
Round of 64 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=49th place
H1: Makai McNamara, Gregg Nakamura, Ian Gentil, Kalani Chapman
H2: Victor Bernardo (BRA), Kai Barger, Eli Olson, Takumi Nakamura (JPN)
H3: Mason Ho, Koa Smith, Landon McNamara, Gavin Sutherland
H4: Lucas Silveira (BRA), Imaikalani deVault, Kekoa Cazimero, Logan Bediamol
H5: Jamie O’Brien, Myles Padaca, Ian Walsh, Love Hodel
H6: Alex Smith, Luke Shepardson, Torrey Meister, Taichi Wakita (JPN)
H7: Evan Valiere, Miguel Tudela (PER), Tereva David (PYF), Kevin Sullivan
H8: Hank Gaskell, Joel Centeio, Jonah Morgan, Isaiah Moniz
H9: Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Shayden Pacarro, Reo Inaba (JPN), Schuyler Allen
H10: Noa Mizuno, Seth Moniz, Riley Laing (AUS), Alex Pendleton
H11: H11: Coconut Willie, Benji Brand, Slade Prestwich (ZAF), Marco Giorgi (URY)
 
Round of 80 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=65th place, 4th = 73rd place
H1: Gregg Nakamura, Eli Olson, Nathan Florence, Ryan Hipwood (AUS)
H2: Gavin Sutherland, Logan Bediamol, Jud Lau, Ezra Sitt
H3: Love Hodel, Taichi Wakita (JPN), Joao Marco Maffini, Lance Gruver
H4: Tereva David (PYF), Jonah Morgan, Sheldon Paishon, Finn McGill
H5: Shayden Pacarro, Alex Pendleton, Wyatt McHale, Kai Mana Henry
H6: Coconut Willie, Rainos Hayes, Flynn Novak, Derek Wong
H7: Danny Fuller, Chris Foster, Joey Johnston, Kelson Lau
H8: Ulualoha Napeahi, Cody Young, Jason Shibata, Edrick Baldwin
 
Round of 88 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=81st place, 4th=85th place
H1: Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Jud Lau, Derek Ho, Laka Burgess
H2: Lance Gruver, Kekoa Bacalso, Jonah Morgan, Patrick Furlotti (USA)
H3: Wyatt McHale, Rainos Hayes, Koa Rothman, Braiden Maither (AUS)
H4: Joey Johnston, Edrick Baldwin, Reef McIntosh, Kainoa Haas
 

Sunset Pro

WSL Men's QS1000
Sunset Beach, North Shore Oahu
17 - 27 January 2016

Yan takes the win out from under Sunset vet Myles Padaca

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 January, 2016 - Sunset Beach, Oahu - Honolulu born and Tahitian raised surfer Keoni Yan, 20, seized his maiden World Surf League (WSL) victory in Hawaii today at the Sunset Pro – a QS1000 rated event. He takes an early lead of the WSL Hawaii regional rankings.

Wave face heights of up to 12 feet offered ample scoring potential, but the unpredictability of the newly rising swell highlighted the importance of positioning in the lineup; this was where Yan capitalized. The 30-minute Final presented the shiftiest lineup of all and Yan stole the lead from beneath veteran Sunset surfer Myles Padaca, with Evan Valiere (Kauai) and Tanner Hendrickson (Maui) putting up third and fourth.

“This is my first WSL final and my first win so I don’t know it feels weird,” said Yan, on the victory. “I wish the waves were better for the Final, but a win is a win, and surfing is like that - even if it’s not good you have to go out there and do your best, so I’m happy to win.”

Myles Padaca © WSL/Freesurf/Heff
 

Yan recently returned to Oahu to get a leg up on competition, and will remain in Hawaii to compete through the winter before pursuing events overseas.

“After I graduated high school in Tahiti, I decided to move here (Hawaii) because it’s cheaper to travel and it’s closer to my sponsor,” commented Yan. “I’m staying with Big Ben (Wilkinson) on the North Shore.”

The ocean went quiet during the Final, which meant strategy played a big role in the suspenseful last minutes of the heat. Yan secured the win by scoring a 6.0, which put him less than one point ahead of Padaca. But Padaca, 44, played his veteran cards well by collecting small scores and safeguarding an early lead for a second place finish.

“The waves were pretty slow and the tide was kind of high so the waves were missing the outside peak and kind of shifting inside, so I tried to sit under everybody,” said Padaca. “All in all today was an epic day here at Sunset … it was just fun to go out surf with three guys in a heat at Sunset because usually there’s 20-40 guys out on gigantic boards, so this was a real treat.”

Tanner Hendrickson © WSL/Freesurf/Heff

Although Valiere, 32, had the highest scoring ride of the Final, a 6.75, he was unable to find a solid backup score and had to settle for third place ahead of Hendrickson, who also only found one wave in the lull-filled heat.   

Hendrickson nabbed the biggest score of the day during the Quarterfinals, a 9.25 for three big critical turns and a solid finish. The Maui local had considerable success in 2014 with a runner up finish at the Vans US Open and a Semifinal finish in the HIC Pro, however a big win has surprisingly evaded the 23-year-old surfer.

Another event standout was Patrick Gudauskas (USA), who was fresh off a win at the Shoe City Pro in Huntington Beach. Gudauskas’ tear in the complex conditions ended short after an interference call was made in the second Semifinal against Yan. Yan took off deep and struggled to maintain his balance in the white water. Gudauskas, unsure if his opponent was still standing, took advantage of the wave and dropped in just as Yan bottom turned and the two bumped rails. Pat kicked out immediately, but it was too late and an interference was called.

The 2016 WSL Hawaii tour moves to Pipeline this week for the Volcom Pipe Pro - a QS3,000 rated event that will include surfing giants Kelly Slater (USA) and John John Florence (HAW), as well as many of today’s local stars. The holding period gets underway Thursday, January 28, through February 7.

Evan Valiere © WSL/Freesurf/Heff
 

FINAL

1st – Keoni Yan (HAW) - $2500 and 1,000 pts.

2nd – Myles Padaca (HAW) - $1500 and 750 pts.

3rd – Evan Valiere (HAW) - $1100 and 560 pts.

4th – Tanner Hendrickson - $900 and 525 pts.

Semifinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=5th place, 4th=7th place

SF1: Evan Valiere, Myles Padaca, Miguel Tudela (PER), Kai Barger

SF2: Tanner Hendrickson, Keoni Yan, Shayden Pacarro, Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th

QF1: Myles Padaca, Kai Barger, Koa Smith, Joel Centeio

QF2: Miguel Tudela (PER), Evan Valiere, Gregg Nakamura, Makai McNamara

QF3: Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Keoni Yan, Makuakai Rothman, Joshua Moniz

QF4: Tanner Hendrickson, Shayden Pacarro, Kaimana Jaquias, Noa Mizuno

Round of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=17th place, 4th=25th place

H1: Koa Smith, Makai McNamara, Bernardo Victor (BRA), Imaikalani deVault

H2: Kai Barger, Gregg Nakamura Lucas Silveira (BRA), Mason Ho

H3:  Miguel Tudela (PER), Joel Centeio, Alex Smith, Jamie O’Brien

H4: Evan Valiere, Myles Padaca, Hank Gaskell, Luke Shepardson

H5: Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Noa Mizuno, Benji Brand, Travis Beckmann

H6: Keoni Yan, Shayden Pacarro, Seth Moniz, Coconut Willie

H7: Tanner Hendrickson, Joshua Moniz, Brian Toth (PRI), Kaito Kino

H8: Kaimana Jaquias, Makuakai Rothman, Gavin Gillette, Eala Stewart

Round of 64 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=49th place

H1: Makai McNamara, Gregg Nakamura, Ian Gentil, Kalani Chapman

H2: Victor Bernardo (BRA), Kai Barger, Eli Olson, Takumi Nakamura (JPN)

H3: Mason Ho, Koa Smith, Landon McNamara, Gavin Sutherland

H4: Lucas Silveira (BRA), Imaikalani deVault, Kekoa Cazimero, Logan Bediamol

H5: Jamie O’Brien, Myles Padaca, Ian Walsh, Love Hodel

H6: Alex Smith, Luke Shepardson, Torrey Meister, Taichi Wakita (JPN)

H7: Evan Valiere, Miguel Tudela (PER), Tereva David (PYF), Kevin Sullivan

H8: Hank Gaskell, Joel Centeio, Jonah Morgan, Isaiah Moniz

H9: Patrick Gudauskas (USA), Shayden Pacarro, Reo Inaba (JPN), Schuyler Allen

H10: Noa Mizuno, Seth Moniz, Riley Laing (AUS), Alex Pendleton

H11: Coconut Willie, Benji Brand, Slade Prestwich (ZAF), Marco Giorgi (URY)

H12: Keoni Yan, Travis Beckmann, Kiron Jabour, Rainos Hayes

H13: Tanner Hendrickson, Gavin Gillette, Dylan Goodale, Danny Fuller

H14: Brian Toth (PRI), Eala Stewart, Chris Foster, Billy Kemper

H15: Makuakai Rothman, Joshua Moniz, Mikey Bruneau, Ulualoha Napeahi

H16: Kaimana Jaquias, Kaito Kino, Elijah Gates, Cody Young

Round of 80 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=65th place, 4th = 73rd place

H1: Gregg Nakamura, Eli Olson, Nathan Florence, Ryan Hipwood (AUS)

H2: Gavin Sutherland, Logan Bediamol, Jud Lau, Ezra Sitt

H3: Love Hodel, Taichi Wakita (JPN), Joao Marco Maffini, Lance Gruver

H4: Tereva David (PYF), Jonah Morgan, Sheldon Paishon, Finn McGill

H5: Shayden Pacarro, Alex Pendleton, Wyatt McHale, Kai Mana Henry

H6: Coconut Willie, Rainos Hayes, Flynn Novak, Derek Wong

H7: Danny Fuller, Chris Foster, Joey Johnston, Kelson Lau

H8: Ulualoha Napeahi, Cody Young, Jason Shibata, Edrick Baldwin

Round of 88 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=81st place, 4th=85th place

H1: Ryan Hipwood (AUS), Jud Lau, Derek Ho, Laka Burgess

H2: Lance Gruver, Kekoa Bacalso, Jonah Morgan, Patrick Furlotti (USA)

H3: Wyatt McHale, Rainos Hayes, Koa Rothman, Braiden Maither (AUS)

H4: Joey Johnston, Edrick Baldwin, Reef McIntosh, Kainoa Haas

Volcom Pipe Pro

WSL Men's QS3000
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
28 January - 7 February 2016 

Top surfers win berth in 2016 Pipe Inv'l for shot at Pipe Masters wildcard

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 January, 2016 - Banzai Pipeline, North Shore - A monster swell with wave face heights of up to 50 feet will coincide with the start of this Thursday’s Volcom Pipe Pro – a World Surf League (WSL) QS3,000 rated event – at the Banzai Pipeline. 

The Volcom Pipe Pro is a prestigious event that draws an array of talent each year – ranging from top juniors like Griffin Colapinto (USA), 17, and Noa Mizuno (HAW) 17; to Pipeline specialists like Jamie O’Brien (HAW) and Bruce Irons (HAW); and star WSL Championship Tour (CT) surfers like Kelly Slater (USA) and John John Florence (HAW).
 
Known to provide peak winter swells for exceptional barrel riding, all the drama of the Volcom Pipe Pro will be delivered via Live webcast at volcompipepro.com, as well as Live local television on Hawaii’s Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s channel 250 and digital 1250.
 
In addition to the event’s own awards, top performers here will earn a berth in the Pipe Invitational in December that will determine two wildcard spots into the year-end Pipe Masters. Additionally, the inaugural Todd Chesser Hard Charger Sportsmanship Award will be offered to the standout charger of the event, that commemorates North Shore big wave surfer Todd Chesser.
 
Beyond the surf, Volcom has teamed up with environmental non-profit Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii to screen three films during the Volcom Pipe Pro. The movies will be played in Sustainable Coastline’s ‘Education Station’, which is a 20-foot mobile container that opens up into a classroom.
 
Films will be FREE to the public following each contest day and will be located at Waihuena Farm, across Kamehameha Highway from Pipeline. The movie lineup includes ‘Psychic Migrations’, ‘Magna Plasm’ and ‘True to This’, starting at 6:30pm. These will be picnic style movie screenings, so pack a blanket or a lawn chair.

Volcom Pipe Pro

WSL Men's QS3000
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
28 January - 7 February 2016 

Koa Rothman secures last wildcard slot, Koa Smith takes highest heat score

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 January, 2016 - Banzai Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu - The morning fired out continuous barrels as Round 1 of the Volcom Pipe Pro got underway in clean 8-10 foot surf and light offshore easterly winds.

The second World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii Qualifying Series (QS) event of the season, the Volcom Pipe Pro offers a $100,000 prize purse, up to 3,000 regional ratings points, and a slot into the Pipe Invitational with the potential of advancing into the Billabong Pipe Masters, the final stop of the WSL Championship Tour. 

One of the youngest competitors of the event, Maui’s Imaikalani deVault, 18, advanced behind North Shore mainstay Kai Mana Henry, 37, with a combined heat total of a 6.90.

“It’s pretty nerve wracking but it’s so cool,” deVault said about surfing against top Pipeline competitors. “I’ve been watching Kai Mana (Henry) surf out here since I was like five years old so to surf a heat with him is just like, dream come true for sure.”

Koa Smith © WSL/Heff/Freesurf

The teen is working to qualify into the QS6,000 events at the end of the year and talked about the benefit of competing here in the islands.

“Being from Hawaii is definitely an advantage because you can get into events like this or the Triple Crown… just to get practice out here when other people can’t, it’s just a huge opportunity to be able to be in this contest and I’m super happy.”

Koa Smith (HAW), 21, was the standout competitor of the event so far, wowing the beach crowd with back to back nine’s - a 9.0 and a 9.67 - the two highest wave scores of the day. Smith stormed his heat against Kiron Jabour (HAW), Noa Mizuno (HAW) and Kaito Ohashi (JPN) and used prime positioning to his advantage.

“I saw that set coming and I got myself into position,” said Smith. “Kiron paddled for that first wave so it kind of put me more into position, and he’s like, ‘Oh are you going,’ and I was paddling up the face like, ‘Oh I don’t know,’ and then I was just perfectly in the right spot. From there I just relaxed through it and had a couple sketchy chandeliers but it let me out and as soon as I got back out the next wave came. And I was just like ‘okay that was fun.’”

The wildcards of the event included Volcom team riders Gavin Beschen (HAW) and Balaram Stack (USA), who both got a spot in Round 3, while North Shore’s Koa Rothman (HAW), 22, earned his berth into the Round of 96 by besting the 6-man Volcom Qualifier heat against Tom Dosland, Kawai Lindo, JD Irons, Dave Wassel and Derek Ho. The highest score of the heat – an 8.33 – saw Rothman win the third wildcard slot into the competition. 

Koa Rothman © WSL/Heff/Freesurf

“I’m pretty stoked, I didn’t have enough points to get into the event any other way, so Volcom gave me a shot and it ended up working out really well,” said Rothman. “I think it was probably some of the best Pipe surfers in the world, but I ended up pulling through.”

Myles Padaca, who placed second at the Sunset Pro last Sunday, advanced through his heat in first place ahead of Allen Schuyler, Travis Beckmann and Ezra Sitt. The 44-year-old will surf again once the competition resumes.

Bruce Irons advanced to Round 3 after a nail biting heat with Torrey Meister (HAW), Makuakai Rothman (HAW) and Seth Moniz (HAW). Rothman and Moniz had the lead for the majority of the 25-minute heat until Meister and Irons split a peak in the last ten seconds and scored a 5.27 and 7.17 respectively, which bumped them up to first and second place to advance.

Official forecaster, Surfline.com, predicts an easing NW swell over the weekend with head high waves and moderate easterly trade winds. Contest organizers will convene tomorrow morning at 7am to make a decision on whether the contest will resume at 8am. 

Leandro Unusa © WSL/Heff/Freesurf

Results: Shown in order of 1st through 4th. Surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.

Round of 96 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=65th place, 4th=81st place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Derek Peters (USA), Cahill Bell-Warren (AUS), Kai Barger

H2: Koa Smith, Kiron Jabour, Noa Mizuno, Kaito Ohashi (JPN)

H3: Mikey Bruneau, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Mitchell Parkinson (AUS), Parker Coffin

H4: Torrey Meister, Bruce Irons, Makuakai Rothman, Seth Moniz

H5: Gavin Gillette, Jean Da Silva, (BRA), Chris Foster, Ohno Masatoshi (JPN)

H6: Hank Gaskell, Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Tim Reyes, Ian Gentil

H7: Brian Toth, Chris Ward (USA), Luel Felipe (BRA), Gavin Sutherland

H8: Yago Dora (BRA), Takayuki Wakita, Kaito Kino, Takumi Nakamura (JPN)

H9: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Victor Bernardo (BRA), Benji Brand, Kona Oliveira

H10: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Eala Stewart, Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF), Takumi Yasui (JPN)

H11: Leandro Usuna (ARG), Kai Mana Henry, Joshua Moniz, Kaimana Jaquias

Volcom Qualifier Wildcard - Koa Rothman

Round of 112 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=105th place

H1: Kai Barger, Noa Mizuno, Gregg Nakamura, Joao Marco Maffini

H2: Mikey Bruneau, Bruce Irons, Shayden Pacarro, Kamalei Alexander

H3: Chris Foster, Ian Gentil, Ulualoha Napeahi, Landon McNamara

H4: Gavin Sutherland, Takayuki Wakita, Dylan Goodale, Elijah Gates

H5: Kona Oliveira, Eala Stewart, Sheldon Paishon, Derek Wong

H6: Kai Mana Henry, Imaikalani deVault, Evan Valiere, Dylan Kowalski (USA)

H7: Makai McNamara, Kalani Chapman, Luke Shepardson, Jason Shibata

H8: Myles Padaca, Allen Schuyler, Travis Beckmann, Ezra Sitt

Volcom Pipe Pro

WSL Men's QS3000
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
28 January - 7 February 2016 

Zeke Lau scores perfect 10, Irons, Slater, Florence advance

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 1 February, 2016 - Banzai Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu - The best waves of the winter graced Pipeline for the Volcom Pipe Pro today, a WSL QS 3,000 rated event with a $100,000 prize purse, up to 3,000 valuable ratings points on offer and qualification into December’s Pipe Invitational.

North Shore favorite and defending event champion John John Florence (HAW) posted the highest heat total of the day, a near perfect 18.84 for two cavernous Pipe waves. The 23-year-old competed against fellow Hawaii surfer Eala Stewart, New York’s Balaram Stack and Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti.

“It was a really fun heat, I’ve been excited to watch it all day,” said Florence.” It’s been slowly picking up since this morning, conditions are incredible. The whole day I was just like, ‘please stay the same, please stay the same.’ Still light offshores, big, beautiful sunny barrels.”

Kelly Slater (USA) had a tough heat against Chris Ward (USA), Gavin Beschen (HAW) and Yago Dora (BRA), but made it through to the fourth round in second place behind Wardo. The 11-time World Champion won the Volcom Pipe Pro in 2014 and is eager for another shot at victory in the primer conditions.

John John Florence © WSL/Heff

“This is easily the best Pipe of the year, right now, the last couple hours, it’s incredible,” said Slater. “There’s so many waves it’s hard to keep the adrenaline down and keep yourself calm. I actually got my first wave, which was a really good wave I think, but I was a little too deep and it sucked me back. When it really opened up I was kind of eating it already."

"And then I came up and watched Wardo get barreled on a really good one and then I got like three on the head… kind of smashed me around so I didn’t start the heat so good, but I had a couple backup waves. I wouldn’t consider those very good waves out there but I got the scores to make it through and I think we’re going to have really good conditions in the next couple days so nice to just have that chance.”

Hawaiian charger Zeke Lau (HAW) nailed the only perfect 10 of the event for an epic Backdoor wave to keep the lead over Dimitri Ouvre (BLM). With a combined heat total of 16.07, Lau advanced into Round 3 along with Ouvre, while Gavin Gillette (HAW) and Ian Walsh (HAW) were left without the scores needed to progress.

“The ten felt great,” said Lau. “I knew I was only looking for a small score so I was kind of just looking for a little corner to tuck in and of course the biggest right comes, I was like ‘oh god,’ but it looked like a great wave so I just figured go for it. I pretty much just held on for dear life.”

Bruce Irons © WSL/Heff

Jack Robinson (AUS), the teen who caused a sensation when he won the Pipe Invitational here in December, posted one of the highest heat totals of the day with a 9.00 and a 7.83. Robinson excels in conditions like these and has become a standout in big wave conditions along the North Shore.

In a nail biter heat, Bruce Irons (HAW) jumped from third place to first with just forty seconds left on the clock. Sitting on the Backdoor side, Irons pulled into one of the biggest right-hand barrels of the day and navigated an exit as an explosion of cheers erupted from the beach crowd. With a 9.40 score, Irons secured the heat win and a slot into Round 4.

“The conditions are as good as it gets,” said the Kauai surfer. “It’s definitely probably one of the best days of winter. Lefts, rights, 8-10 feet offshore, what more do you want?”

Contest organizers will reconvene tomorrow morning at 7am to determine if the Final day will take place. With more waves on the way, a Volcom Pipe Pro champion will likely be crowned by midday Tuesday or Wednesday. Results below shown in order of 1st through 4th. Surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.

Kelly Slater © WSL/Heff
 

Round of 64 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=49th place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Kiron Jabour, Keanu Asing, Joel Centeio

H2: Koa Smith, Brent Dorrington (AUS), Derek Peters (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

H3: Bruce Irons, Joan Duru (FRA), Mikey Bruneau, Billy Stairmand (NZL)

H4: Torrey Meister, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Conner Coffin (USA), Granger Larsen

H5: Ezekiel Lau, Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Gavin Gillette, Ian Walsh

H6: Jack Robinson (AUS), Nathan Yeomans (USA), Hank Gaskell, Jean Da Silva (BRA)

H7: Sebastian Zietz, Takayuki Wakita, Carlos Munoz (CRI), Brian Toth

H8: Chris Ward (USA), Kelly Slater, Gavin Beschen, Yago Dora (BRA)

H9: John John Florence, Eala Stewart, Balaram Stack (USA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)

H10: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Hiroto Ohhara (JPN), Hizunome Bettero (BRA), Victor Bernardo (BRA)

H11: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Soli Bailey (AUS), Yujiro Tsuji (JPN), Leandro Usuna (ARG)

H12: Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Aritz Aranburu (ESP), Kai Mana Henry, Ricardo Christie (NZL)

H13:

Round of 96 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=65th place, 4th=81st place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Derek Peters (USA), Cahill Bell-Warren (AUS), Kai Barger

H2: Koa Smith, Kiron Jabour, Noa Mizuno, Kaito Ohashi (JPN)

H3: Mikey Bruneau, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Mitchell Parkinson (AUS), Parker Coffin

H4: Torrey Meister, Bruce Irons, Makuakai Rothman, Seth Moniz

H5: Gavin Gillette, Jean Da Silva, (BRA), Chris Foster, Ohno Masatoshi (JPN)

H6: Hank Gaskell, Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Tim Reyes, Ian Gentil

H7: Brian Toth, Chris Ward (USA), Luel Felipe (BRA), Gavin Sutherland

H8: Yago Dora (BRA), Takayuki Wakita, Kaito Kino, Takumi Nakamura (JPN)

H9: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Victor Bernardo (BRA), Benji Brand, Kona Oliveira

H10: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Eala Stewart, Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF), Takumi Yasui (JPN)

H11: Leandro Usuna (ARG), Kai Mana Henry, Joshua Moniz, Kaimana Jaquias

H12: Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Yujiro Tsuji (JPN), Imaikalani deVault, Adrien Toyon

H13: Makai McNamara, Billy Kemper, Kalani David, Koa Rothman

H14: Olamana Eleogram, Kevin Sullivan, Kalani Chapman, Alex Smith

H15: Mason Ho, Keoni Yan, Sunny Garcia, Myles Padaca

H16: Lucas Silveira (BRA), Cory Arrambide (USA), Kekoa Cazimero, Allen Schuyler 

Volcom Pipe Pro

WSL Men's QS3000
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
28 January - 7 February 2016 

Slater beats Jamie O'Brien, Bruce Irons and Makai McNamara

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 2 February, 2016 - Banzai Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu - Kelly Slater solidified his first win in two years at the Volcom Pipe Pro today after a full day of standing ovation performances that many are calling the absolute best of the winter season.

Slater surfed against three of the top Pipe mavericks in the world – Jamie O’Brien (HAW), Bruce Irons (HAW) and Makai McNamara (HAW) in a nerve shattering Final that saw barrels fire off like cannons and detonate on the notoriously shallow reef.

The 30-minute Final got started with two low scoring albeit immense waves from O’Brien and Irons, respectively, then saw McNamara answer back with the second highest wave of the heat, an 8.67. The 20-year old took an early lead on his opening wave, with Slater taking a quick second on his first ride, a 7.83.

Kelly Slater © WSL/Heff

Halfway through the Final, the 11-time World Champ secured the win with a backup score of an 8.73, while the other competitors fought hard for runner up position.

“I’m stoked, it’s been a while… Between drinks as they say in Australia,” laughed Slater. “Two years since I won an event, and it was this one. I feel good, it’s obviously a great way to start the year off, it just flowed … Got big waves, got some nice barrels, had some high scores … But what a day! Perfect southeast trades and big bombing surf.”

Runner Up O’Brien scored a 4.27 for a long left, finally finding a barrel in the second section of the wave, and backed up the mediocre score with a 5.67 for an inside Backdoor tube. The combined heat total of 9.94 secured a second place finish for the Pipeline Master.

 The first perfect ten of the day - and the third of the event - O’Brien routed an ultra deep backside barrel to claim the Electric 10-point ride award for $1,000. Calm and cool, O’Brien was in complete control while navigating a high line, eventually bursting out of the tube after the spit.

“I had about 11 minutes to go,” started O’Brien. “I saw the wave, I had the priority, I tried to set myself up in the best spot I could. Generally in heats you don’t like to be too deep, but that was my predicament in that one … I still didn’t think I was going to make it and I just kind of held on and it just started spitting, spit me out like a cannon. I was just stoked, I just claimed it so hard, but it’s just a good feeling you know. I heard the beach roar, then I heard them start dropping tens and thought, ‘that was a good one to claim.’”

Jamie O'Brien © WSL/Heff

McNamara also secured a ten-point ride and $1,000 from Electric for one of the biggest, most perfect Pipeline waves of the event. The young charger was an absolute standout throughout the competition and was nipping on the heels of his competitors during the Final. 

“It was the best day of my life for sure,” said the North Shore native. “I can’t even explain it I’m so tired right now and just so worn out from today. So many memories went down I can’t even remember all that happened… a few wipeouts and a few really memorable waves and I’m just so happy to finish on the podium for the first time and I hope it happens again.”

Irons was presented with the Todd Chesser Hard Charger Award for demonstrating sheer determination throughout the Volcom Pipe Pro. Jeannie Chesser, Todd’s mom, handed out the award and the two embraced in a moment of gratitude.

“I was not expecting that,” said Irons. “It means a lot you know just because I grew up looking up to Todd Chesser. I knew Todd, I was young but he was always Todd Chesser, he’s always the guy. I’d sit on the beach watching and Todd would be going on the biggest rights. Every time I’m out there I’m always thinking about the Todd Chesser waves. And I love Jeannie, it’s a real honor to have this award. It’s right up there, it’s nice, I’m happy.”

Makai McNamara © WSL/Heff

Volcom Pipe Pro Official Results: Shown in order of 1st through 4th. Surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.

1st – Kelly Slater (USA) $16,000 and 3000 pts
2nd – Jamie O’Brien (HAW) $10,000 and 2250 pts
3rd – Makai McNamara (HAW) $4,750 and 1680 pts
4th – Bruce Irons (HAW) $4,250 and 1580 pts

Todd Chesser Hard Charger Award – Bruce Irons

Semifinal – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=5th place, 4th=7th place
SF1: Kelly Slater (USA), Bruce Irons, Marco Giorgi (URY), Joan Duru (FRA)
SF2: Jamie O’Brien, Makai McNamara, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Dusty Payne

Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th place
QF1: Bruce Irons, Marco Giorgi (URY), Jack Robinson (AUS), Dimitri Ouvre 
QF2: Kelly Slater (USA), Joan Duru (FRA), Chris Ward (USA), Torrey Meister
QF3: Makai McNamara, Dusty Payne, John John Florence, Eala Stewart
QF4: Jamie O'Brien, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Mason Ho, Soli Bailey (AUS)

Round of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=17th place, 4th=25th place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Joan Duru (FRA) Koa Smith, Griffin Colapinto (USA)

H2: Bruce irons, Torrey Meister, Brent Dorrington (AUS), Kiron Jabour

H3: Kelly Slater (USA), Jack Robinson (AUS), Ezekiel Lau, Takayuki Wakita

H4: Chris Ward (USA), Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Sebastian Zietz, Nathan Yeomans (USA)

H5: John John Florence, Soli Bailey (AUS), Ian Gouveia (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (ESP)

H6: Eala Stewart, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Shun Murakami (JPN)

H7: Jamie O’Brien, Dusty Payne, Mitch Coleborn (AUS), Tanner Hendrickson

H8: Mason Ho, Makai McNamara, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Billy Kemper

Round of 64 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=49th place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Kiron Jabour, Keanu Asing, Joel Centeio

H2: Koa Smith, Brent Dorrington (AUS), Derek Peters (USA), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)

H3: Bruce Irons, Joan Duru (FRA), Mikey Bruneau, Billy Stairmand (NZL)

H4: Torrey Meister, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Conner Coffin (USA), Granger Larsen

H5: Ezekiel Lau, Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Gavin Gillette, Ian Walsh

H6: Jack Robinson (AUS), Nathan Yeomans (USA), Hank Gaskell, Jean Da Silva (BRA)

H7: Sebastian Zietz, Takayuki Wakita, Carlos Munoz (CRI), Brian Toth

H8: Chris Ward (USA), Kelly Slater, Gavin Beschen, Yago Dora (BRA)

H9: John John Florence, Eala Stewart, Balaram Stack (USA), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA)

H10: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Hiroto Ohhara (JPN), Hizunome Bettero (BRA), Victor Bernardo (BRA)

H11: Tom Whitaker (AUS), Soli Bailey (AUS), Yujiro Tsuji (JPN), Leandro Usuna (ARG)

H12: Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Aritz Aranburu (ESP), Kai Mana Henry, Ricardo Christie (NZL)

H13: Dusty Payne, Makai McNamara, Miguel Tudela (PER), Kevin Sullivan

H14: Mitch Coleborn (AUS), Billy Kemper, Olamana Eleogram, Bino Lopes (BRA)

H15: Mason Ho, Tanner Hendrickson, Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI), Cory Arrambide (USA)

H16: Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Jamie O’Brien, Keoni Yan, Lucas Silveira

Round of 96 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=65th place, 4th=81st place

H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Derek Peters (USA), Cahill Bell-Warren (AUS), Kai Barger

H2: Koa Smith, Kiron Jabour, Noa Mizuno, Kaito Ohashi (JPN)

H3: Mikey Bruneau, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Mitchell Parkinson (AUS), Parker Coffin

H4: Torrey Meister, Bruce Irons, Makuakai Rothman, Seth Moniz

H5: Gavin Gillette, Jean Da Silva, (BRA), Chris Foster, Ohno Masatoshi (JPN)

H6: Hank Gaskell, Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Tim Reyes, Ian Gentil

H7: Brian Toth, Chris Ward (USA), Luel Felipe (BRA), Gavin Sutherland

H8: Yago Dora (BRA), Takayuki Wakita, Kaito Kino, Takumi Nakamura (JPN)

H9: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), Victor Bernardo (BRA), Benji Brand, Kona Oliveira

H10: Ian Gouveia (BRA), Eala Stewart, Dylan Lightfoot (ZAF), Takumi Yasui (JPN)

H11: Leandro Usuna (ARG), Kai Mana Henry, Joshua Moniz, Kaimana Jaquias

H12: Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Yujiro Tsuji (JPN), Imaikalani deVault, Adrien Toyon

H13: Makai McNamara, Billy Kemper, Kalani David, Koa Rothman

H14: Olamana Eleogram, Kevin Sullivan, Kalani Chapman, Alex Smith

H15: Mason Ho, Keoni Yan, Sunny Garcia, Myles Padaca

H16: Lucas Silveira (BRA), Cory Arrambide (USA0, Kekoa Cazimero, Allen Schuyler

Volcom Qualifier Wildcard - Koa Rothman

Round of 112 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=105th place

H1: Kai Barger, Noa Mizuno, Gregg Nakamura, Joao Marco Maffini

H2: Mikey Bruneau, Bruce Irons, Shayden Pacarro, Kamalei Alexander

H3: Chris Foster, Ian Gentil, Ulualoha Napeahi, Landon McNamara

H4: Gavin Sutherland, Takayuki Wakita, Dylan Goodale, Elijah Gates

H5: Kona Oliveira, Eala Stewart, Sheldon Paishon, Derek Wong

H6: Kai Mana Henry, Imaikalani deVault, Evan Valiere, Dylan Kowalski (USA)

H7: Makai McNamara, Kalani Chapman, Luke Shepardson, Jason Shibata

H8: Myles Padaca, Allen Schuyler, Travis Beckmann, Ezra Sitt

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

WSL Specialty Big-Wave Event
Waimea Bay, Oahu Hawaii
1 December 2015 - 29 February 2016

Waimea forecast to be bigger than 20 foot from 8 am to 4 pm

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 8 February, 2016 - The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau will GO this Wednesday, February 10, at Waimea Bay. Organizers gave the event the green light early this-morning after consulting the latest round of forecasting models. This will be the 9th "Eddie" in 31 years. The event was last held in December of 2009, and was won by California's Greg Long.

Organizers anticipate a solid day of surf that will meet the event's strict wave face height requirement of 40 feet, with favorable light winds in the morning, turning light trades by afternoon.

"It has taken us six years to pull the trigger, but this is the first swell we have seen that is truly lining up as an Eddie swell," said Event Director Glen Moncata.

Moncata and the organizing team continue to confer with event patriarch George Downing, who has made the call on every event since its inception. 

"As George has famously said, 'The Bay Calls the Day' and that will be Wednesday," added Moncata.

There will be various platforms on which to view the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau: In Hawaii: Live on Oceanic Time Warner Cable channels 250 and 1250HD. On the internet: quiksilver.com/eddie and worldsurfleague.com 

EVENT HEAT DRAW:

Heat 1:
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Kohl Christensen (HAW)
Greg Long (CA)
Ramon Navarro (CHI)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)

Heat 2:
Kelly Slater (FL)
David Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Jamie O'Brien (HAW)
Aaron Gold (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)

Heat 3: 
John John Florence (HAW)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (CA)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Peter Mel (CA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)

Heat 4:
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)

TOP 5 ALTERNATES:
Mason Ho (HAW)
Danilo Couto (BRA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a World Surf League sanctioned Specialty Event.

Event past winners: 
1984/1985: Denton Miyamura (Haw)  
1986/1987: Clyde Aikau (Haw)  
1989/1990: Keone Downing (Haw)  
1998/1999: Noah Johnson (Haw)  
2000/2001: Ross Clarke-Jones (Aus)  
2004/2005: Bruce Irons (Haw)  
2001/2002: Kelly Slater (USA)  
2009/2010: Greg Long (USA)

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

WSL Specialty Big-Wave Event
Waimea Bay, Oahu Hawaii
1 December 2015 - 29 February 2016

Eddie Would No-Go - Projected swell fails to materialize

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 10 February, 2016 - Waimea Bay - Event Officials have called the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau off today after the projected swell failed to materialize. The window for The Eddie -- a World Surf League (WSL) Specialty event -- remains open until February 29, 2016.

“Unfortunately, the Bay is not going to call the day today. The surf is not what we expected,” Glen Moncata, Quiksilver Event Director, said. “What we need is need eight hours of solid 20 foot surf, 40 foot faces, and unfortunately this storm got pushed way up North of us, so we are just not going to be able to run today.”

Requiring surf of 35-to-45 feet (on the wave face) to be called on, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau has only run eight times in the event’s 31-year history. With a very active El Nino swell season on offer, the potential for the event to run before February 29 remains high.

“As a competitor, it’s frustrating to get mentally and physically prepared to surf The Eddie and then be disappointed when it is called off,” said Peter Mel. “While it’s not a WSL Big Wave Tour (BWT) event, as Commissioner of that tour, I understand how challenging it can be to make those calls. Ultimately, The Bay calls the day for The Eddie and I respect the decision of Quiksilver Officials to call the event off due to lack of surf.”

The event’s namesake, Eddie Aikau, was the first lifeguard on Oahu’s famed North Shore. A true ambassador of Aloha, Aikau tragically lost his life in 1978 while attempting to rescue crewmates aboard the Hokule’a, a traditional Polynesian voyaging canoe that capsized in rough seas en route to Tahiti. The famed big wave event was created in his honor in 1984.

EVENT HEAT DRAW:

Heat 1:
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Kohl Christensen (HAW)
Greg Long (CA)
Ramon Navarro (CHI)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)

Heat 2:
Kelly Slater (FL)
David Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Jamie O'Brien (HAW)
Aaron Gold (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)

Heat 3: 
John John Florence (HAW)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (CA)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Peter Mel (CA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)

Heat 4:
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)

TOP 5 ALTERNATES:
Mason Ho (HAW)
Danilo Couto (BRA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a World Surf League sanctioned Specialty Event.

Event past winners: 
1984/1985: Denton Miyamura (Haw)  
1986/1987: Clyde Aikau (Haw)  
1989/1990: Keone Downing (Haw)  
1998/1999: Noah Johnson (Haw)  
2000/2001: Ross Clarke-Jones (Aus)  
2004/2005: Bruce Irons (Haw)  
2001/2002: Kelly Slater (USA)  
2009/2010: Greg Long (USA)

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

WSL Specialty Big-Wave Event
Waimea Bay, Oahu Hawaii
1 December 2015 - 29 February 2016

Eddie Watch Begins Anew as Huge Swell Pounds Hawaii

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 February, 2016 - The world's best big wave surfers ready themselves to take on Waimea Bay in the legendary event in memorium of one of Hawaii's most famed watermen.

The 31st annual Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau has once again been put on Yellow Alert for a possible run this Thursday, February 25, just two weeks after athletes and organizers gathered at Waimea Bay in an earlier attempt to run. Unfortunately, that day the waves never materialized. But the crowds at Waimea did, only to be sent home.

With time running out on the holding period for the prestigious big-wave invitational officials are hoping to squeeze the event in under the February 29 deadline. While lack of surf was the problem last time, it looks like the biggest threat to the event not going is waves being too big.

As of Monday, the waves at Waimea were already too big too surf, and many believe Thursday's swell could be even bigger. Mark Healey was feeling optimistic about the chances. "This time it looks like it's for real."

If the event does go it will certainly be a celebration of the late Brock Little, the big-wave star who passed away last week. Little rose to fame on the back of his remarkable Eddie performances.

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau requires waves more than 20-feet high (40-foot faces) to run. This winter's El Niño weather pattern has been generating swell throughout the Pacific for months and already provided contestable conditions for the Big Wave Tour's Pe'ahi Challengeand Todos Santos Challenge, not to mention numerous submissions for the Big Wave Awards.

Invitees for 2015/2016 include Clyde Aikau, Eddie's brother and winner of the second Eddie event, 11-time World Champ and 2001/2002 Eddie winner Kelly Slater (USA).

EVENT HEAT DRAW:

Heat 1:
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Kohl Christensen (HAW)
Greg Long (CA)
Ramon Navarro (CHI)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)

Heat 2:
Kelly Slater (FL)
David Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Jamie O'Brien (HAW)
Aaron Gold (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)

Heat 3: 
John John Florence (HAW)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (CA)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Peter Mel (CA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)

Heat 4:
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)

TOP 5 ALTERNATES:
Mason Ho (HAW)
Danilo Couto (BRA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is a World Surf League sanctioned Specialty Event.

Event past winners: 
1984/1985: Denton Miyamura (Haw)  
1986/1987: Clyde Aikau (Haw)  
1989/1990: Keone Downing (Haw)  
1998/1999: Noah Johnson (Haw)  
2000/2001: Ross Clarke-Jones (Aus)  
2004/2005: Bruce Irons (Haw)  
2001/2002: Kelly Slater (USA)  
2009/2010: Greg Long (USA)

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

WSL Specialty Big-Wave Event
Waimea Bay, Oahu Hawaii
1 December 2015 - 29 February 2016

The Eddie Aikau will run today with live CBS broadcast

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 February, 2016 - Waimea Bay, Oahu - A significant swell is bearing down on Oahu's North Shore prompting event organizers to put the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau (a WSL Specialty event) on Green Alert for a possible start on Thursday.

After being called off on Feb. 10 due to the highly anticipated swell not materializing, officials have officially placed the event on Green Alert - the final determination will be made today at 8 a.m. HST/10 a.m. PST/ 1 p.m. EST.

EVENT HEAT DRAW:

Heat 1:
Shane Dorian (HAW)
Kohl Christensen (HAW)
Greg Long (CA)
Ramon Navarro (CHI)
Sunny Garcia (HAW)
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS)
Jamie Mitchell (AUS)

Heat 2:
Kelly Slater (FL)
David Wassell (HAW)
Grant Baker (ZAF)
Reef McIntosh (HAW)
Jamie O'Brien (HAW)
Aaron Gold (HAW)
Tom Carroll (AUS)

Heat 3: 
John John Florence (HAW)
Mark Healey (HAW)
Clyde Aikau (HAW)
Nathan Fletcher (CA)
Noah Johnson (HAW)
Peter Mel (CA)
Takayuki Wakita (JPN)

Heat 4:
Bruce Irons (HAW)
Makuakai Rothman (HAW)
Ian Walsh (HAW)
Albee Layer (HAW)
Kala Alexander (HAW)
Garrett McNamara (HAW)
Jeremy Flores (FRA)

TOP 5 ALTERNATES:
Mason Ho (HAW)
Danilo Couto (BRA)
Mark Mathews (AUS)
Koa Rothman (HAW)
Ben Wilkinson (AUS)

CBS Sports Network will air live coverage of one of Big Wave surfing’s most prestigious events, the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau, a World Surf League (WSL) Specialty Event. Held in honor of the first official lifeguard at Waimea Bay on Oahu’s fabled North Shore, Eddie went on to become one of the best big wave riders in the world before his tragic death in 1978.

If it’s called “on,” the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau will pit the 28 best big wave surfers against one another in some of the most treacherous waters and on the most unpredictable playing field in all of sport.

Fans can tune in to CBS Sports Network for live coverage beginning at 12:30 pm eastern/9:30 pacific/7:30 HAW, with the World Surf League’s Dawn Patrol, which will set the stage for the event.  Coverage will then switch to the live competition beginning at 1:00 pm eastern.  Every athlete will surf twice, in two separate rounds, both of which will pit him against six other surfers in a seven-man heat (for more details on the Eddie’s rules and scoring, visit the World Surf League’s website).

CBS Sports Network will continue with their live coverage until 3pm eastern, after which fans can catch all the action at www.worldsurfleague.com or via the World Surf League’s free app available on Google Play and the iTunes store.

This event – one of the most elusive on the big wave tour – has run only eight times in the past 30 years because of the extraordinary conditions that are required for the event to be called “on.” The tournament can only be held when wave heights reach a sustained minimum 40 feet. The last time the event was held was on December 8, 2009, won by Californian Greg Long.

Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau

WSL Specialty Big-Wave Event
Waimea Bay, Oahu Hawaii
1 December 2015 - 29 February 2016

Florence edges out veteran Ross Clarke-Jones

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 February, 2016 - Waimea Bay - John John Florence brought a new style and a new generation to big wave surfing today by winning the Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, a World Surf League Specialty Event, in waves of up to 60-feet. Florence won $75,000 - the biggest purse in Big Wave riding, with a 4-wave total of 301 out of 400 points.

“I was excited just to be part of the event,” said Florence. “I was so nervous, I thought, oh gosh, I just gotta get through this day and hopefully get a couple of waves!

“I was riding my bike down here this-morning in the dark and just the energy of how many people were parked all the way down the street. I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never seen it like that. Walking down the beach, like Uncle Clyde was saying, people just screaming, and the energy was so crazy. I’ve never been a part of an event like this. It’s definitely the highlight of my life for sure.

“Biggest of all, I want to say thanks to the Aikau family and Quiksilver for putting on this amazing event. I’ve only seen it run a couple of times in my life so to be a part of it, to be surfing in it, and to actually win it is such a dream come true…against all these legends. These guys are my heroes since I’ve been growing up. And thanks to my mom and my family and all my good friends who are here.”

Ross Clarke-Jones © Noyle

Florence, 23, edged out previous event winner Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) with a late charge in his second round heat, posting his top two rides of the day during a flurry of gigantic waves. Better known for his year-round pursuits on the WSL Championship Tour, Florence is fast forging himself a place at the head of the big wave riding movement that is regarded a discipline all its own.

Third place today was Shane Dorian (HAW); fourth went to Jamie Mitchell (AUS); fifth was Kelly Slater (USA); and sixth was Makuakai Rothman (HAW).

A capacity crowd of 25,000 lined the headland-to-headland arena of Waimea Bay, witnessing eight hours of uninterrupted, mind-blowing entertainment. They roared and gasped as the 28-man field offered up fearless rides and more than a few horrific wipeouts from sun up to sun down.

Today’s conditions were the most epic ever for an “Eddie” and will surely go down as the greatest one-day Big Wave event in history. The emotions and energy were on overload with what surfers were calling “Brock’s Swell,” in honor of long-time Eddie invitee and Hawaii Big Wave rider Brock Little, who lost his battle with cancer just last week.

Those who rode today were nothing short of gladiators, armed with surfboards of up to 11-feet in length that were still dwarfed by the ocean’s tonnage. They pitted world-class skills along with their lives against the adrenaline-inducing display of Mother Nature.

Grant 'Twiggy' Baker © Bielmann

The undeniable crowd favorite, drawing a standing ovation wave as he walked from Waimea Bay Beach Park to the shoreline, was 66-year-old Clyde Aikau - Eddie Aikau’s younger brother, who has contested all nine Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational events through 31 years, declaring this to be his last.

In all, 141 dramatic rides were logged today, including gutsy charges by Eddie Aikau rookies Koa Rothman (HAW) and Mason Ho (HAW); last minute Alternate starters Danilo Couto (BRZ) and Ben Wilkinson (AUS); and emotionally charged, seasoned rides by Slater and Dorian, in memory of close friend Brock Little.

The world famous Hawaiian Water Patrol were the bedrock of today’s event, without whose support the organizers would never have been able to call the day “on.” Their safety support and assistance in harrowing moments will see every surfer return home safe tonight.

At times it was as if there were two spectacular events going on at the same time as surfers dropped down feathering walls, and a fleet of rescue jet-skis gunned to outrun avalanches of water as they bolted towards beach or horizon.

Along with the Water Patrol support was the added layer of confidence athletes had with the Quiksilver x Aqua Lung Inflatable Vest - a technology that didn’t exist when The Eddie was last held in December of 2009. Only three of the 28 athletes today competed without a vest.

Mason Ho © Noyle

“It was actually nice to have it, to have the option,” said Ross Clarke-Jones. “Because if I don’t wear it, then I’m going to get hammered. I chose to wear it and I didn’t need it till the last wave. It was the last wave and I thought I’ll pull it anyway because I got pounded and it just came out like a breeze. It’s an incredible piece of equipment.”

Each surfer contested two rounds of 1-hour, 7-man heats, with their top four scoring rides at the end of the day producing their final event score. Each ride was scored out of a total of 100 points, with size of wave, critical nature of the take-off, and successful completion of a ride all factors.

Oahu’s Aaron Gold was awarded today with the The Quiksilver GO Challenge for a massive wave ridden at Pe’ahi a month ago that has been estimated at more than 70 feet. The special award was offered up to all Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Invitees and Alternates for the biggest, most critical wave ridden in the Hawaiian Islands during the holding period of this event up to today. Gold won $10,000 for his efforts.

The Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau is the original one-day, Big Wave surfing event, started in memory of Hawaiian waterman, Waimea Bay lifeguard and Big Wave pioneer Eddie Aikau. What started 31 years ago to pay tribute to Aikau, has grown to become an almost mythic event whose elusiveness has only fueled its global appeal. The Eddie only runs when wave face heights reach a minimum of 40 feet at Waimea Bay… a day so rare it has only happened nine times in 31 years. Today was one of those days.

John John Florence and finalists © Heywood

The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Final Results:
1 - John John Florence (HAW) 301
2 - Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) 278
3 - Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 249
4 - Kelly Slater (USA) 238
5 - Dave Wassel (HAW) 230

Round 1/Heat 1 Results:
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) 166, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 83, Shane Dorian (HAW) 80, Kohl Christensen (HAW) 71, Sunny Garcia (HAW) 47, Greg Long (USA) 38, Ramon Navarro (CHL) 5

Round 1/Heat 2 Results:
Kelly Slater (USA) 97, Aaron Gold (HAW) 85, Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 70, David Wassel (HAW) 65, Reef McIntosh (HAW) 46, Tom Carroll (AUS) 29, Grant Baker (ZAF) 23

Round 1/Heat 3 Results:
John John Florence (HAW) 170, Takayuki Wakita (HAW) 104, Mark Healey (HAW) 101, Clyde Aikau (HAW) 65, Nathan Fletcher (USA) 39, Peter Mel (USA) 9, Noah Johnson (HAW) 0

Round 1/Heat 4 Results:
Koa Rothman (HAW) 110, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 103, Bruce Irons (HAW) 44, Danilo Couto (BRZ) 69, Mason Ho (HAW) 63, Ian Walsh (HAW) 10, Kala Alexander (HAW) 0

Round 2/Heat 1 Results:
Shane Dorian (HAW) 207, Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 141, Reef McIntosh (HAW) 81, Aaron Gold (HAW) 76, Tom Carroll (AUS) 48, Kohl Christensen (HAW) 43, Greg Long (USA) 33

Round 2/Heat 2 Results:
David Wassel (HAW) 230, Kelly Slater (USA) 201, Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) 178, Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 172, Ramon Navarro (CHL) 95, Grant Baker (ZAF) 68, Sunny Garcia (HAW) 40

Round 2/Heat 3 Results:
John John Florence (HAW) 206, Mason Ho (HAW) 144, Kala Alexander (HAW) 86, Mark Healey (HAW) 32, Danilo Couto (BRZ) 30, Clyde Aikau (HAW) 26, Koa Rothman (HAW) 7

Round 2/Heat 4 Results:
Ian Walsh (HAW) 115, Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 91, Peter Mel (USA) 77, Bruce Irons (HAW) 57, Nathan Fletcher (USA) 54, Takayuki Wakita (HAW) 37, Ben Wilkinson (AUS) 37

Clyde Aikau © Bielmann

Top 4 Waves (Both Rounds):
John John Florence (HAW) 301
Ross Clarke-Jones (AUS) 278
Shane Dorian (HAW) 270
Jamie Mitchell (AUS) 249
Kelly Slater (USA) 238
Makuakai Rothman (HAW) 231
David Wassel (HAW) 230
Mason Ho (HAW) 191
Jamie O’Brien (HAW) 180
Aaron Gold (HAW) 139
Mark Healey (HAW) 133
Takayuki Wakita (HAW) 123
Koa Rothman (HAW) 117
Ian Walsh (HAW) 115
Reef McIntosh (HAW) 112
Grant Baker (ZAF) 109
Kohl Christensen (HAW) 109
Bruce Irons (HAW) 101
Ramon Navarro (CHL) 100
Danilo Couto (BRZ) 93
Clyde Aikau (HAW) 91
Nathan Fletcher (USA) 88
Sunny Garcia (HAW) 87
Peter Mel (USA) 86
Kala Alexander (HAW) 86
Greg Long (USA) 71
Tom Carroll (AUS) 67
Noah Johnson (USA)/Ben Wilkinson (AUS) 37

Pipe Junior Pro / Wahine Pipe Pro

WSL JQS1000 Men's Event
WSL JQS1000 Women's Event 
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
21 - 28 March, 2016

Noah Hill and Summer Macedo in good form leading up to event

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 20 March, 2016 - Haleiwa, Oahu - Starting Monday, the Banzai Pipeline will light up once again for the Junior Pipe Pro and Wahine Pipe Pro, with overhead waves and glassy conditions expected. Combining both a men’s Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) 1,000 and a women’s Qualifying Series (WQS) 1,000 event, the World Surf League (WSL) Hawaii is proud to offer more competitions than ever to their professional membership of Hawaii/Tahiti Nui athletes.

Fresh off their first place wins in Tahiti at the Papara Pro Junior and Papara Vahine Pro Junior, both Noah Hill (Maui) and Summer Macedo (Maui) will be traveling to the North Shore of Oahu to compete. Hill, originally from Venice Beach and now living on the west side of Maui, was feeling self-assured after his win. “It gives me a lot of confidence knowing I can get scores in these contests because the highest score I got before this was like a four.”
 
The 14-year old has only competed in one other Pro Junior event prior to his win and lost out in the first round. Taking the Papara Pro Junior by storm, Hill was able to surf his way to the podium with well-calculated airs coupled with strong, smooth maneuvers. At Pipeline, his barrel riding will now be put to the test. Macedo, 15, will also be tried in the heavy reef break to go up against seasoned pros like Anastasia Ashley (USA), Brianna Cope (Kauai) and defending champion Keala Kennelly (Kauai).
 
The Lahaina local will also meet up again with opponent and Papara Vahine Pro Junior Runner Up, Vahine Fierro (PYF). This will be Fierro’s first time surfing Pipeline professionally, but the skill level shown in Tahiti could mean a solid finish for the 16-year-old.
 
Other Tahitian standouts competing in the Pipe Pro events for the first time include Mauiki Raioha (PYF) – who posted two 10-point rides during the Rangiroa Open Pro – and Karelle Poppke (PYF), an up-and-comer who is being coached by seasoned pro Hira Teriinatoofa (PYF).
 
The holding period for the Pipe Pro Junior and Wahine Pipe Pro is March 21 - 28 and contest organizers say an immediate 8:00am start on Monday looks very likely. A NW swell is marching toward the North Shore and is expected to deliver 4-7 wave faces, which will be highly contestable for both the juniors and the women.

Pipe Junior Pro / Wahine Pipe Pro

WSL JQS1000 Men's Event
WSL JQS1000 Women's Event 
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
21 - 28 March, 2016

Junior Pro circuit surfers offered rare chance at Pipe/Backdoor

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 March, 2016 - North Shore, Oahu - 2016 goals are set, the World Surf League (WSL) Junior Qualifying Series (JQS) season is in full swing and the teens stormed the North Shore for a full day of competition at the Pipe Pro Junior. A JQS1,000 rated event, this is the eleventh stop on the Junior tour and third contest in the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region.

Fresh off a win in Tahiti, current Junior ratings leader Noah Hill (USA) from Maui went down in Round 2 to Keoni Picollo (HAW) and Quentin Turko (USA). Hill, 14, won the Papara Pro Junior last week with standout aerial maneuvers at the rampy beach break, but missed out on a solid finish today at Pipeline. Picollo, from Waialua, Oahu, is looking to make a final and raise his standing on the junior rankings.
 
Nolan Rapoza (USA) of Long Beach, California nailed the highest wave of the day, a 9.60 for a long Backdoor barrel. The 18-year-old used competitive strategy to hold off his opponent and ended up advancing in first place. Rapoza will head to the Caribbean in April for the Martinique Surf Pro QS3,000 and has his sights set on a productive year.
 
“I definitely want to win a Junior Pro, make some finals in the QS’s, I really just want to do good this year,” said Rapoza. “I want to get points to go into the 10,000’s, I want to make it to World Juniors, there’s a lot of goals this year so hopefully I succeed.”

Nolan Repoza  © WSL/Freesurf/Heff

 
Replacement surfer Kona Oliveira (HAW) had a solid start to the competition after getting into Round 1 in place of Will Gorssarth (USA). The 17-year-old had a near-perfect wave this morning, a 9.5 to take the heat win and advance ahead of Dante Silva (HAW).
 
“It felt good, got some waves. It’s not perfect but it’s definitely good enough to surf with only three guys out, I’m not complaining,” said Oliveira. “Every single heat there’s potential out there, you just have to pick and chose the right ones for sure.”
 
The North Shore surfer has strived each year to qualify for the Vans Triple Crown, the year-ending elite surfing series that takes place along the seven mile miracle.
 
“My goal for this year is really just get into the Triple Crown,” said Oliveira. “I want to be able to do Haleiwa, Sunset and try and get into that spot in Pipe. It’s been my dream since I was a little kid. It’s always the goal. But each year it feels like I’m getting closer and closer to it. So just keep doing what I’m doing and try to have fun with it and make some more heats.”
 
Another junior surfer with big goals is Sebastian Williams (ZAF), who is the only representative hailing from South Africa. Williams, 15, is originally from Puerto Escondido, Mexico but has been living in Durban for the past two years.

Quentin Turko © WSL/Freesurf/Heff

The teen has spent this winter on the North Shore, staying at the Quiksilver house with his dad, Tim Williams, who was a travel judge for the WSL (formerly ASP) from 1984-86. Today Williams saw success after surfing through the first three rounds of competition, but missed out in the first Quarterfinal to Braden Jones (USA) and Barron Mamiya (HAW).
 
“It’s tough. I did the Sunset Pro Junior a while ago and the guys here are all really good surfers,” said Williams. “A lot of guys I haven’t heard of before and then you get them in your heat and wonder how good they are, and then you see them surf and think, ‘I really need to step my game up.’”

When competition resumes for the Juniors, in the water first will be the last Quarterfinal matchup against Kainehe Hunt (HAW), Keoni Picollo (HAW), Griffin Colapinto (USA), Quentin Turko (USA).
 
The first Semifinal has been set with Braden Jones (USA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Cody Young (HAW) and Kala Willard (HAW).
 
A NW swell produced rippable 8-foot wave faces with offshore winds in the Pipe lineup today. Contest officials will reconvene tomorrow morning to make a call by 7am, with the Wahine Pipe Pro getting a start at 8am. Defending event winner Keala Kennelly (HAW) will surf in Heat 3 against Mainei Kinimaka (HAW), Stephanie Da Silva (HAW) and Leila Riccobuano (HAW). 
 
Pipe Pro Junior: Surfers shown in order of 1st through 4th
 
Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th place
QF1: Braden Jones (USA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Jake Marshall (USA), Sebastian Williams (ZAF)

QF2: Cody Young (HAW), Kala Williard (HAW), Kona Oliveira (HAW), Christopher Bluthardt (HAW)

QF3: Nolan Rapoza (USA), Ryland Rubens (USA), Finn McGill (HAW), Riley Laing (AUS)
 
Round of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=17th place, 4th=25th place
H1: Barron Mamiya (HAW), Kona Oliveira (HAW), Ryder Guest (HAW), Sammy Gray (HAW)

H2: Sebastian Williams (ZAF), Christopher Bluthardt (HAW), Dante Silva (HAW), Wyatt McHale (HAW)

H3: Kala Willard (HAW), Jake Marshall (USA), Cole Houshmand (USA), Kaulana Apo (HAW)

H4: Cody Young (HAW), Braden Jones (USA), Kainaru Kato (HAW), Kelson Lau (HAW)

H5: Finn McGill (HAW), Keoni Picollo (HAW), Brodi Sale (HAW), Makana Pang (HAW)

H6: Ryland Rubens (USA), Quentin Turko (USA), Taichi Wakita (JPN), Noah Beschen (HAW)

H7: Kainehe Hunt (HAW), Nolan Rapoza (USA), Cole Alves (HAW), Noa Mizuno (HAW)

H8: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Riley Laing (AUS), Logan Bediamol (HAW), Kalani Rivero (USA)
 
Round of 48 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=41th place
H1: Kona Oliveira (HAW), Dante Silva (HAW), Sage Tutterow (HAW), Kai McIntyre (HAW)

H2: Sebastian Williams (ZAF), Sammy Gray (HAW), Conor Kennedy (HAW), Wil Reid (USA) NS

H3: Cole Houshmand (USA), Kainaru Kato (HAW), Kuio Young (HAW), Kei Kobayashi (USA)

H4: Braden Jones (USA), Jake Marshall (USA), Jackson Bunch (HAW), Luke Swanson (HAW)

H5: Keoni Picollo (HAW), Quentin Turko (USA), Noah Hill (USA), Koa Yokota (HAW)

H6: Ryland Rubens (USA), Brodi Sale (HAW), Jake Riccobuano (HAW), Crosby Colapinto (USA)

H7: Nolan Rapoza (USA), Riley Laing (AUS), Ocean Macedo (HAW), Pono Auld (HAW)

H8: Griffin Colapinto (USA), Kainehe Hunt (HAW), Sage Burke (USA), Kanoa Shannon (USA)
 
Round of 56 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=49th place, 4th=53rd place
H1: Kona Oliveira (HAW), Sebastian Williams (ZAF), Wolf Wertheimer (HKG), Simon Hetrick (USA)

H2: Cole Houshman (USA), Braden Jones (USA), Parker Cohn (USA), Nick Marshall (USA)

H3: Quentin Turko (USA), Crosby Colapinto (USA), Griffin Foy (USA), Aldo Chirinos (CRI)

H4: Nolan Rapoza (USA), Sage Burke (USA), Joe Keogh (AUS), Mauiki Raioha (PYF) NS
 

Pipe Junior Pro / Wahine Pipe Pro

WSL JQS1000 Men's Event
WSL JQS1000 Women's Event 
Pipeline, North Shore Oahu
21 - 28 March, 2016

The Junior men posted exceptionally high scores throughout the day

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 23 March, 2016 - In back-to-back Finals, Griffin Colapinto (USA) won the Pipe Pro Junior and Mahina Maeda (HAW) secured the Wahine Pipe Pro title in glassy conditions at Oahu’s world-class wave on the North Shore.

Both surfers bettered their standings in the World Surf League (WSL) Junior and Qualifying Series (QS) rankings, which gives them a solid standing for the 2016 season.
 
Colapinto comboed the field after posting a 9.4 in the first few minutes of the Final, which left Braden Jones (USA), Cody Young (HAW) and Ryland Rubens (USA) searching for waves in the quiet heat to better their mid-range scores. No stranger to Pipe, Colapinto is known to charge in waves of consequence and has put in time along the North Shore for the better part of his teenage years.
 

“It felt really good,” said Colapinto, 17, after the win. “I stayed at the Billabong house all winter long and I surfed out here in all conditions, so I was pretty confident with everything knowing the lineup, so yeah, it felt really good.”
 
Colapinto’s excellent wave showcased a giant speed turn followed by an air to give the California surfer the second best score of the event. “All the boys were dropping big scores all day so I knew it was going to be pretty much whoever got the best waves and the biggest waves, and I found two of the best waves and it was good.”
 
The San Clemente surfer placed Runner Up in the Sunset Pro Junior earlier this year and is looking ahead at this winter season on the North Shore.
 
“My goal is probably to be in the Triple Crown for this next winter and then make some heats in that… And then overall goals are to be in the top 50 on the QS by the end of the year and win a QS too.”
 
The competitors put on a show of maneuvers in the head high surf, with Jones coming in second less than two points ahead of Young. The Junior Men posted high scores throughout the day, a testament to the progression of today’s youth.

Maeda found her first solid result this year in the tricky Pipe conditions against an all-Hawaiian heat that included Moana Jones (North Shore, Oahu), Kahanu Delovio (Kailua-Kona, Big Island) and Summer Macedo (Lahaina, Maui). Maeda, 17, was a fierce competitor today with a strong backhand on the Backdoor rights.
 
“It was pretty interesting out there,” said Maeda after claiming the win. “I’m really stoked to be in a Final with Moana, Summer and Kahanu. We’ve all surfed against each other and it reminds me of NSSA’s back in the day. It wasn’t actual Pipe, which we were bummed about, but we all got really good scores through the day so we’re all super happy and blessed to be surfing out here.”
 
Jones was able to edge out her competitors for a second place finish with two mid-range scores, a 5.25 and 5.00 for calculated maneuvers in the sandbar waves. Meanwhile, Macedo was hungry for another win after coming off a first place finish in Tahiti, and showed commitment throughout the heat. But her combined two wave total of 6.95 put her in fourth place behind Delovio.
 
Delovio, 17, scored the only 10-point ride of the event for combining speed and power on a head high Backdoor wave. The Big Island surfer took advantage of all the sections and got three solid turns in with a tail slide to finish off strong. 
 
“I didn’t even think it was a 10 after the ride,” said the Kailua-Kona local. “I mean it felt like a good wave, I thought maybe an 8. It was a three-turn wave and then I kind of slid my tail out at the end… I felt like it was a good wave, I didn’t know how it was going to turn out, but I was stoked when I heard it was a 10.”
 

RESULTS

Pipe Pro Junior, Surfers shown in order of 1st through 4th
1st – Griffin Colapinto (USA), $2,000 and 1,000 points
2nd – Braden Jones (USA), $900 and 750 points
3rd – Cody Young (HAW), $600 and 560 points
4th – Ryland Rubens (USA), $500 and 525 points
 
Wahine Pipe Pro, Surfers shown in order of 1st through 4th
1st – Mahina Maeda (HAW), $2,000 and 1,000 points
2nd – Moana Jones (HAW), $900 and 750 points
3rd – Kahanu Delovio (HAW), $600 and 650 points
4th – Summer Macedo (HAW), $500 and 525 points
 
Pipe Pro Junior Semifinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=5th place/$300/420 points, 4th=7th place/$200/395 points
SF1: Braden Jones (USA), Cody Young (HAW), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Kala Willard (HAW)
SF2: Ryland Rubens (USA), Griffin Colapinto (USA), Kainehe Hunt (HAW), Nolan Rapoza (USA)
 
Wahine Pipe Pro Semifinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=5th place/$300/420 points, 4th=7th place/$200/395 points
SF1: Mahina Maeda (HAW), Kahanu Delovio (HAW), Zoe McDougall (HAW), Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN)
SF2: Moana Jones (HAW), Summer Macedo (HAW), Bailey Nagy (HAW), Brianna Cope (HAW)
 
Pipe Pro Junior Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th place
QF1: Braden Jones (USA), Barron Mamiya (HAW), Jake Marshall (USA), Sebastian Williams (ZAF)
QF2: Cody Young (HAW), Kala Williard (HAW), Kona Oliveira (HAW), Christopher Bluthardt (HAW)
QF3: Nolan Rapoza (USA), Ryland Rubens (USA), Finn McGill (HAW), Riley Laing (AUS)
QF4: Griffin Turko (USA), Kainehe Hunt (HAW), Keoni Picollo (HAW), Quentin Turko (USA)
 
Wahine Pipe Pro Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th place
QF1: Mahina Maeda (HAW), Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN), Mainei Kinimaka (HAW), Dax McGill (HAW)
QF2: Kahanu Delovio (HAW), Zoe McDougall (HAW), Leila Riccobuano (HAW), Malia Ward (USA)
QF3: Summer Macedo (HAW), Moana Jones (HAW), Karelle Poppke (PYF), Aloha Lopez (HAW)
QF4: Bailey Nage (HAW), Brianna Cope (HAW), Frankie Harrer (DEU), Kiana Fores (HAW)
 
Wahine Pipe Pro Round of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=17th place, 4th=25th place
H1: Mahina Maeda (HAW), Kahanu Delovio (HAW), Brittany Penaroza (HAW), Savanna Stone (HAW)
H2: Dax McGill (HAW), Malia Ward (HAW), Gabriela Bryan (HAW), Brittany Gomulka (HAW)
H3: Leila Riccobuano (HAW), Mainei Kinimaka (HAW), Stephanie Da Silva (HAW), Savannah Bradley (USA)
H4: Zoe McDougall (HAW), Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN), Sophia Bartlow (HAW), Zoe Clarke (AUS)
H5: Summer Macedo (HAW), Brianna Cope (HAW), Vahine Fierro (PYF), Kirra Pinkerton (USA)
H6: Moana Jones (HAW), Kiana Fores (HAW), Susanna Walczak-Pol (HAW), Kloee Openshaw (USA)
H7: Bailey Nagy (HAW), Aloha Lopez (HAW), Kelta O’Rourke (HAW), Summer Ivy (USA)
H8: Frankie Harrer (DEU), Karelle Poppke (PYF), Emily Nishimoto (HAW), Jade Steele (HAW)
 
Wahine Pipe Pro Round 34 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=33rd place, 4th=34th place
H1: Sayuri Hashimoto (JPN), Kirra Pinkerton (USA), Natalia Anzivino (USA), Carly Wilson (USA)

WSL Updates

WSL Hawaii launches new Junior Development Program

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 24 March, 2016 - At a point in time when Hawaii's representation on the men's World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is at an all-time, 41-year low of just two surfers - John John Florence and Keanu Asing, WSL Hawaii is pleased to launch a new Junior Development Program for its members aged 18 and under.

The Junior Development Program will focus on career readiness, mentorship, tour preparation, and a path to global surf industry opportunities. The first workshop will be held this Saturday, March 26, in conjunction with the Pipe Pro Junior and Wahine Pipe Pro holding period of March 21 – 28, 2016.

The day will include tour scheduling and planning with Pancho Sullivan, mentorship and goal setting with Fred Patacchia, priority rules and judging, social media procedure and etiquette, injury prevention and more, and will be free and open to Hawaii's 70 junior members - boys and girls.

All activities will be geared to complement the rigorous, private in-surf training many of Hawaii's aspiring youth already participate in, rounding out their skills. 

The Junior Development Program, coupled with a concerted effort to increase Junior and entry level Qualifying Series events in the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, is the first step toward Hawaii's hopes of reigning in Australia and Brazil, who collectively hold 24 of the 34 Championship Tour slots available in 2016, and between them have won the men's world title the past four years.

Hawaii has not seen a world champion since Andy Irons in 2004, 12 years ago. Furthermore, there have onlyever been three male world champions from Hawaii in the history of professional surfing. Australia has won 16 titles by way of nine different world champions.

Australia's hefty government support of surfing events, youth surfing programs, and a national school surfing program has long been credited with churning out an endless line of polished surf stars that include Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore.

Local beaches around Australia's 16,000 miles of coastline also offer regular club-level competition that is encouraged by local municipalities and offers another competitive training platform.

Surfing develops confidence and sportsmanship, rounds out worldliness to create unities with different cultures, provides a connection with the ocean and ultimately our environment, and networks individuals in important industry opportunities. Surfing is a healthy lifestyle, and it promotes a positive future for our communities. 

“Somewhere along the way, Hawaii's pride and place in surfing slipped," said WSL Hawaii General Manager Jodi Wilmott. "Our kids and our surfing community will be our new partners in bringing surfing back to its rightful place in Hawaii. It's a very exciting time.

"Throughout history, surfing has been a vital part of Hawaii's story, from surfing royalty, to modern times. Duke Kahanamoku was an incredible ambassador for surfing and Hawaii around the world. Professional surfing was born here with original members the likes of Eddie Aikau, Michael Ho and Rory Russell sharing the same message.

During its first decade, as many as half of the Top 16 were from Hawaii.

"But while we still offer the sport's pinnacle events, like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, it has becoming increasingly difficult for Hawaiians to get a start in their own backyard. We are embarking upon a course that will help to correct that."

Hawaii's challenges are:

Geography - isolation from the US mainland and the continentally-based surf industry, resulting in limited sponsorship and competitive opportunities.

Policy - a limited number of beaches available to competition, with a limited number of permits and competition days therein.

Infrastructure - unlike football, golf, soccer, basketball, swimming and track and field sports, competitive surfing has no dedicated fields or arenas. Event sites have to be built from scratch at incredibly high cost, and then torn down, over and over.

Complacency - surrounded by ocean with a disproportionately high surfing population compared to the rest of the world, surfing can be so commonplace as to be overlooked. Local government support of surfing programs, athletes and events here has been minimal, but we are encouraged to see a renewed interest in surfing coming about.

High demand/low supply - with limited events and starting opportunities, it is not uncommon to see up to 100 local surfers being turned away from their own events. If they can't earn points at home, they cannot get into events overseas...and the vicious cycle continues.
 

T&C Surf / Surfer Magazine Grom Contest
presented by Chili’s Grill & Bar

Queen’s, Waikiki Beach Oahu Hawaii
23 - 24 ​April 2016

The event gives groms the chance to develop comp skills 

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 March, 2016 - Get ready for the invasion of groms in the line up at Waikiki come April 23 and 24 for the 19th Annual T&C Surf / Surfer Magazine Grom Contest presented by Chili’s Grill & Bar. These little rippers will test their skills at Queen’s surf break as they participate in a non-competitive surf contest just for kids. 

The Grom Contest is designed so all entry level surfers ages 3-12 years old are eligible to surf only one division providing more kids a opportunity to compete. The contest is usually at full capacity each year, so make sure to get your entry in early. All contestants receive a contest T-shirt, lunch, and goodie bag. 

The event gives groms the chance to develop their skills at one of the South Shore’s premier surf breaks with the iconic Diamond Head as a back drop. This contest is different from the host of others on Oahu because it strictly prohibits contestants who have entered an NSSA, HASA, or any other organized competitive surfing branch from entering the event.

T&C Surf produces the event each year to introduce young surfers to the world of competitive surfing in a less-intense setting. "Our annual GROM contest is the source of great pride”, says Craig Sugihara, founder / owner of T&C Surf. 

Watching the kids enjoy the waves at Queen's and create life memories is always a joyful experience. All of us at T&C look forward to this opportunity to give back to the local surfing community.” Kids also get stoked about being in the spotlight of Surfer Magazine, shared title sponsor of the event.

“As always, SURFER is proud to help support this year’s T&C Grom Contest! The T&C crew has helped create happy memories for the hundreds of kids who have participated over the years”, says Jeremy Schluntz, Associate General Manager of Surfer Magazine. 

Family and friends from across the island chain take over the shore line to support their favorite groms. The fun kicks off Saturday with a full day of heats in three divisions for boys and girls: shortboard, longboard and bodyboard.

The contest also includes a kokua division for keiki 3-6 years old that allows parental assistance in the line up. In-between heats, kids participate in beach games and score prizes from their favorite surf brands. Before the sun sets, the top young surfers will advance to the finals on Sunday. 

Adults can also get in on the fun by signing up for the “FreeSurf Expression Session” on Sunday afternoon. 

Parents join keiki in a special adult/child tandem surf event that gives them the opportunity to share the waves family style. “Watching kids play in the ocean and seeing them and their families smile never gets old! 

We love being associated with the event and look forward to many more years to come”, says Mike Latronic, publisher of Free Surf Magazine. The Expression Session is open to all adults and children (with a sibling in the event). On-site limited entry is free and prizes are awarded to the top three teams. 

The event wraps up with the final heats on Sunday, where the top six in each division receive medals and prize packs filled with surf products from event sponsors, including the opportunity to win one of two custom T&C Surf boards.