The storm before the calm!
Today is almost the beginning of non-elimination heat surfing. Excited? You should be. Hawaiians are in the water vying for the two spots that have been carved down from fifteen, or something, a few years ago.
An absolute gutting.
I loved those older times, when Hawaiians, born and bred at Pipeline and/or Kauai, would run Champion Tour surfers up and down the reef. Scaring them into oblivion. Now these Hawaiians have their own “event” called the Pipe Invitational which feels a bit like an interment camp.
Does it not?
A representative from the World Surf League once told me, directly after the absolute gutting, that if I actually looked at the heat scores during those robust Hawaiian years, I would see most of them losing in early rounds and none of them really affecting much of anything.
Rude.
For surfing is what we feel in our hearts, not numbers that appear on bland pieces of paper.
No?
In any case, enjoy the show here but don’t forget to leave li’l ol’ BeachGrit open so you can be amongst friends for we do not know what the World Surf League is capable of. First they came for the Hawaiians, and I did not speak out — because I wasn’t Hawaiian.
Etc.
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Not allowed? Oh man. Mind surfing the triple crown in the witching hours at 3am when no one is awake is he only thing keeping me sane!!! I can highly recommend as a tonic for the general health. On mute of course.
Parody. But in reality, in 8-10 ft pumping lefts or rights, I’d only consider JJF, Medina, JFlo and Julian as in the same level or better. Robbo now too. Moniz maybe there in a few years.
I’m into the hipster knucklehead scene.
It’s dope.
Billy! Billy! Billy!
Well deserved.
Hasta mañana ’til we meet again.
CAnt wait
Looks like Italo will get Kemper – WQS #106.
Medina gets Imaikalani – WQS #82
They both surfed very well.
fuck, that was close
Amazingly surfed
would’ve been a ten if he made it
Italo. Straight out there.
dedication
I like it
yeah, he’s frothing. Would love it if he takes the CT this year. Can’t help but like him for some reason
Yep, he’s won me over the last few years. I seen something where up until last week or so he was the only title contender out at pipe hunting it down. He’s hungry.
So was Owen that year just before the brain trauma …. No when to hold , know when to fold ?
Should have been his year eh.
and Billy’s in the lead i reckon
Wanna see Pete and BL down in the sand with their car keys testing sand density, dispersion, Grit
BL would manage to stay excited by the mission, he’s always in full froth mode! Likeable though.
Tony Gregg style ?
over scored, it was just a big wave, he was not even inside the barrel
Is Keanu Asing the world’s least interesting surfer?
At least he wants it. Bruce Irons just wastes a spot every year with his honorary wildcard.
True regarding Bruce. Will he step up at The Eddie?
Billy fucking Kemper, look at you!
Koa. Great camera work. Also, Billy.
Imaikalani is a very good tube rider; controls speed very well.
Hope he wins.
Another good wave. Lots of flair. Sick exit.
Beast
He is not young. Born: 12 November 1997 (age 22)
Barton has stoked himself into premature greyness – exhausting…….
Does anyone have any insights on the potential for Jaws to run Thursday? Jamie Mitchell seemed into it, but I read in here earlier today that it’s the wrong direction swell or something?
De Vault to bank some big dollars …
Keanu asing + Billy Kemper for top 2
it s good for Frederico Morais, he is most likely to get the Tripple crown
Triple Crown has become a sham.
Jesse Mendes , grinding his way to the win last year , definitely took the shine off the crown .
Gruff won without surfing pipe.
Can’t believe Jack and Ethan didn’t get placed in the main event. It’s a business now, give the people what they want. No one wants to watch Federico over Jack out pumping pipe