"Eligibility depends more on social media influence
than on true merit and earned accomplishments."
It might be difficult for the adult learner, those
who’ve come into surfing in the past few years, to believe but it
wasn’t that long ago when Oahu’s North Shore was where
everything that mattered in surf happened.
The contests, the magazines, the interviews, were a build-up to
the mighty Triple Crown, awarded to the surfer who dominated the
three North Shore events, Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipe. It was regarded
as even more prestigious than a world title.
Sunny Garcia five of
’em, John John four, Andy Irons, four, Parko three,
Kelly Slater three.
In 2024, a Pipe Masters is an invitation-only event, with
preference given to Vans surfers, and the Triple Crown, which went
digital during Covid, now goes to the surfer who sends in the best
clips from the three marquee waves.
Two weeks back, Jamie O’Brien, born and bred at
Pipeline, was told by Vans he was too old to make the invite list
despite being in the top three surfers at Pipe. After a public
outcry, Jamie was taken off the bench although reverberations from
the decision continue to shake the Hawaiian surf
community.
Real talk: he is old but age ain’t gonna weary the
great James Duncan O’Brien.
Earlier today, North Shore shredder Shayden Pacarro penned an
impassioned cri de coeur about the state of play on the North
Shore.
As a surfer from Hawaii, participating in surf contests
feels pointless without the prestigious Triple Crown of Surfing, a
Pipeline Pro title, or qualifications for the Pipe Masters, along
with sufficient rewards to support ourselves and our families. We
can’t represent Hawaii in the Olympic Games but yet we are not
apart of the North American region. We are the Hawaii/Tahiti
region. It feels as if our rights to surfing has been stripped
away! It seems as if everywhere else in the world has more
opportunities, points and incentives than we do. How can it be that
the “mecca” and birthplace of surfing has become the smallest arena
in competitive surfing? For the very little events that are still
alive in Hawaii, how can we secure a live broadcast? @wsl @wsl.qs
That feels like a harsh reality check for us. The less we vocalize
our concerns, the more they seem to take away from us.
How can you secure an invitation to the newly revamped Vans
Pipe Masters, which actually offers significant payment? Honestly,
it’s quite unclear and remains a significant grey area. There isn’t
a legitimate ranking or point system in place, no established
hierarchy, and no seniority to consider. Eligibility appears to
depend more on social media influence than on true merit and earned
accomplishments. They say you should dedicate time at the Pipe to
earn your place in the lineup, but from what I’ve seen, some of the
most legendary Pipe surfers, who have scored numerous 10-point
rides and pipe titles aren’t even on the invite list. These unclear
determinations reflect a lack of class and undermine the integrity
of surfing, as well as those who genuinely deserve to be part of
its legendary history. Pipeline: It’s not just about the
money; it’s about the invaluable honor of riding one of the world’s
most treacherous waves alongside only three other surfers, a
special brotherhood. This privilege should be reserved for those
who have demonstrated dedication and commitment over time.
Jamie O’Brien, Shane Dorian, Zeke Lau, Josh Moniz, Andy’s widow
Lyndie, all dived into the comments to underscore Shayden’s
message.
