Billabong Pipe Masters 50 Heaviest Moments Of All Time
The Pipe Masters. For five decades strong still instills more fear and excitement than any other event on tour. Situated on center stage of the most famous stretch of coast in the world, the Banzai Pipeline makes and breaks careers, exposes the vulnerable and sets up opportunities for glory unlike any other surf spot. And this year, to celebrate 50 years of the ultimate surfing event, we're counting down the heaviest moments in Pipe Masters history. We assembled a panel of judges who account for six Pipe Masters titles between them. These guys have objectively shown a level of mastery of Pipeline that transcends the ages and competition alike. They are the PhDs of Pipeline: Gerry Lopez, Tom Carroll and Jamie O'Brien.
When Gabriel Medina became the first Brazilian world champ in the history of professional surfing, the moment warranted celebration.
Adriano de Souza was chasing his first World Title in 2015 - but to get it he had to do something no Brazilian had ever done before: Win at
At 13-year-old John John Florence was paddling out to compete against the world's best surfers at the world's most dangerous wave.
Although his 2nd place finish in the 2010 Pipe Masters had been the best result of his career, for journeyman competitor Keiren Perrow the
In 2014, a trip to the bottom after a round 3 wipeout left Bede Durbidge with a broken pelvis and a competitive career in jeopardy.
Jeremy found an improbable Backdoor runner with seconds remaining and got the score he needed, securing the Frenchman's very legit second
The real drama of Mick Fanning and Yadin Nicol's 2013 nailbiter final actually occurred after the heat was over and champagne corks
Losing Andy Irons in 2010 remains the most tragic loss the surf world's ever experienced.
Over the course of the 30-minute heat, Carissa Moore, Keala Kennelly, Tatiana Weston-Web, and Courtney Conlogue put on a show that would
Chris Ward's stint on the World Tour was, in a word…disheveled.
In 2004 Bruce Irons found himself needing 5th or better at Pipeline Masters to retain his spot on tour.
1998 was Andy Irons' first year on the world tour. But it would be this over-the-falls wipeout at Pipe Masters that year that would be
When 18-year-old Kelly Slater joined the world tour, 30 years old was considered "too old" to still be surfing competitively.
California goofyfoot Jeff Booth had a reputation for never backing down.
There's a pretty reasonable explanation as to why it took 18 years for a goofyfoot to win the Pipe Masters after Rob Machado did in 2000 -
By 1993, Gary "Kong" Elkerton had been so close to winning a World Title he could taste it.
North Shore-raised Pipe specialist Kalani Chapman paddled out on a 9'6" shaped by his uncle, Owl Chapman, and won every heat.
After crossing over in their heat, Sunny attempted to choke Brazilian surfer Neco Padaratz in the water before punching out his fins and
The big Australian with no love for the limelight, just doing his thing.
In 2013, Kelly won his 7th Pipe Masters title and John John his second Triple Crown Title.
In the closing minutes of the ‘98 Pipe Finals, Patterson paddled into a head-high righthander and squeaked out through the doggy door in
There's really only one stop on tour where wildcards have a real chance to run the table against the world's best.
In 2004, O'Brien dominated with a level of showmanship rarely seen in such serious surf.
Bethany Hamilton's appearance in the 2014 women's event at Pipe was just another example of her talent and determination.
Andy's "new vibe" connecting with his dominance of the previous years, was felt during his heat-winning 10-point ride at Backdoor that is
With 90 seconds to go, Gabriel Medina put together a 19.4 heat total and continued his 2nd World Title campaign.
What was the first year the Pipe Masters decided the World Title in a man-on-man final? If you guessed any year earlier than 2019, you'd be
The greatest day in Masters competitive history - in pro surfing's history, and the surf was bad.