Surfing
The waiting period starts on January 27th and stretches to February 7th. Here, have some insight.
If Pipeline ceased to exist, our world would be an entirely different place. We need Pipe; it is of undeniable essence. It is our sacred scale and without it, it would be impossible to separate the courageous from the weak. Luckily, we have Pipeline and Pipeline has us. It has us captivated, intently watching its every move, waiting for the next hero to emerge from a perilous blue cavern.
And even more luckily, we have the Volcom Pipeline Pro. Started in 2009, the event gives surfers outside of the World Tour's elite a chance to compete at Pipe. Most of the world's best Pipeline surfers are too busy getting barreled to be bothered with that pest know as qualification, and this contest allows them to strut their stuff amongst top dogs. And we get to watch all the thrills.
112 warriors will compete in the event, five of whom are RedBull surfers. Last year, John John Florence barely edged out Jamie O'Brient with a keg in the last 15 seconds. Will Jamie settle the score this year? Let's have a look at RedBull's Pipe roster and surmise.
Bruce Irons: Bruce is not a Pipeline specialist. He is a Pipeline King. If Bruce is in form, he will win. It's a simple as that.
Kolohe Andino: This time last year, it would have been easy to say that Kolohe would get smoked at Pipe. But that was last year, and oh so much has changed. At the Billabong Pipeline Masters, he was dropping high scores like Avicii drops beats. There was not a tinge of hesitation in his game. After showing such grit, he doesn't really have much to prove, but he sure as hell isn't gonna act like it. He is blonde and dangerous.
Cristobol Del Col: Hot off a win at the Billabong Pro Cabo Blanco, Cristobol could ruffle some feathers at Pipe. Born and raised in Peru, he is certainly no stranger to barreling lefts. And as asset of the Quiksilver team, he's logged a great many season at the company's house at Pipe. Hide your feathers fellow competitors, the ruffler is in town.
Jamie O'Brien: Do you remember your childhood playground? Possibly a swing set in your backyard or a park just down the street? This was Pipeline for Jamie O'Brien. The wave raised him, and he knows it as well as he knows himself. He is as confident as a lion out there, and it would take a barrage of horrible luck in order for him to not make the final.
Carlos Munoz: You'd think that the pride of Costa Rica might not fare too well at Pipe, but you'd also think that hot dogs are great until you find out that they're made from a pig's intestines. Carlos got a ten here last year. Don't let the superman airs fool you, this young man charges. His performance this year will be nothing shy of superb.
Ian Walsh: Most of the 112 surfers charge, but Ian Walsh really charges. Like a psychopath. The guy took an inflatable hot dog out at Jaws. That said, the bigger the waves, the bigger Ian's advantage is. Which is not to say that he isn't a favorite in the non-terrifying stuff. It's just that a massive swell might have everyone second guess themselves when going for a wave. Everyone except Ian, that is.
The waiting period starts on January 27 and goes until February 7. Wear your pajamas inside out and hope for a big swell. Let's get captivated!