Distressed shoe maker Vans capitulates to pressure and invites elderly Jamie O’Brien into Pipe Masters

"This event deserves to be taken over by someone who truly understands and respects the sport and the surfers."

One of the many tempests blowing in our teacup, last week, involved distressed shoe maker Vans, its Pipe Masters event and, arguably, the greatest living wrangler of that iconic wave. Yes, James Duncan O’Brien, born and bred as close to the Banzai as one can get, was left off this year’s invite list.

Reaction from the public was swift and severe.

Josh Moniz sizzled the waffle-soled cobbler with:

When I heard that JAMIE was given an ALTERNATE spot in the event, that’s when I felt something has to be said. How can you leave out arguably the greatest Pipeline surfer of all time? To suggest that he doesn’t deserve a spot in an event he has helped define is baffling to me. Many surfers who have barely surfed Pipe have been given spots over the years, which feels like a slap in the face to the locals and internationals who show up season after season without ever being invited. It’s nothing personal against these surfers—they are simply accepting an opportunity that any surfer would take. But the way these decisions are being made feels unfair to those who have truly earned their place.I understand that with invitational events, it’s hard to make everyone happy. However, making sure that the spots go to those who deserve them and have put in the time is all anyone can ask for.

O’Brien himself added:

I’ve been processing how the Pipeline Masters has become a joke. Whoever is making these decisions clearly doesn’t understand what’s happening in the water pipeline on the day today! Or season two season It’s long overdue to speak out, and trust me, they won’t hear the end of it. It’s so sad see such a prestigious event mishandled like this, with no regard for the athletes putting in the work every day, has completely lost my respect. It’s time for a change – this event deserves to be taken over by someone who truly understands and respects the sport and the surfers.

The carrot-topped 41-year-old was initially told by Vans that he was “too old” to be in the event but organizers apparently rethought their overt agism and now he is in the draw alongside Cam Richards and Tosh Tudor.

The Pipe Masters window opens Dec. 8 before shutting Dec. 20.

But does the buckling under pressure make you think that Josh Moniz should be recruited to write more open letters addressing things that we surfers dislike?

Maybe a note to Kelly Slater about his perpetual need for attention?

Something to think about.