While legions of fans (including Parko) would love to see Pipeline as the final event on the WSL schedule there’s no denying it’s a banger of a beginning. Actually there would be few complaints from fans if Pipe book-ended the whole tour. It’s the wave that many still regard as the ultimate test in surfing so why not feature it twice on the schedule? That’s a debate for another time, for now let’s look at what we can expect from the Pipeline Pro 2023 with the waiting period (Jan 29- Feb 10) starting this Sunday (Monday Oz). 

Pipeline Pro Forecast

It’s looking like the event will run at some stage in the first few days of the waiting period. A promising NW swell is forecasted to bring 10-12 foot bombs into the North shore on Sunday (Monday Oz). However, unfavourable winds for the first day of competition are also expected. The swell is meant to stick around for Monday (Tuesday Oz) with winds easing. So, Monday (Tuesday Oz) is setting up as a full day of surfing in solid, possibly XL, Pipe conditions.

As the NW swell eases off, an easterly surge is expected to bring back the waves for the end of the working week. We could see some fun waves at Backdoor on Wednesday (Thursday Oz) and Thursday (Friday Oz). But this is Hawaii; a random swell could pop up, or some unfriendly winds could come through and crash the party.

Below is Tracks Editor Luke Kennedy and 2012 Pipe Master Joel Parkinson predictions and dream scenarios in the Event.

Who does Pipe Favour?

Men’s

LK: John John Florence and Gabriel Medina are the big guns back in the men’s draw, after the tour enjoyed a holiday from their dominating presence. Expect them to feature. Kelly Slater is the reigning champ and can never be dismissed.

No one in the draw knows the wave better (he’s been around a lot longer than JJF) and he has won at Pipe in every kind of scenario, from big lefts to solid backdoor and small blown-out Pipe. It feels like we are still yet to see the best of Jack Robinson at a Pipe contest, despite his celebrated tube riding gifts.

Parko: I have to pick Jack Robbo. I just think his consistency, he’s been on such a great trajectory of improving and I think you know, he’s still improving. He’s getting better. I just feel that you know, last year was a breakout year with him getting third and it’s great for confidence. I think I’d have to go Jack but then you know, John John and Gabe are back, so who knows, it could end up with them two in the final.

Women’s:  

LK: Given her recent win in the Vans Pipeline Masters (Don’t get into the name fiasco) Molly Picklum must now be considered a contender. Carissa Moore is always a threat and a Pipe Pro trophy is one of the few things missing from her cabinet. Wildcard Moana Jones-Wong is not as well-rounded as her competitors but she proved last year that she is a genuine Pipe specialist who can find the kind of yawning pits most people only dream of.

Parko:  I can’t go past Carissa. What she did at the Vans Pipe Master event was amazing. Carissa out there is so good and she’s got so confident with it.

Surprises at Pipe?

Men’s:

LK: Miguel Pupo is an underestimated player in the Pipeline drama. He was unlucky against Kelly last year, when Kelly, the master tactician, arguably suckered Migi into an interference to help secure the win. After winning Teahupo’o last year Migi’s Pipe status also nudges up a notch.    

Parko: Callum Robbo. I think Callum’s got a big set of balls on him (haha), he charges so hard, I’ve surfed with him and I thought, ‘Wow. Yeah, he’s a weapon!’ He loves it. Callum doesn’t hold back if he’s in position. I think Ryan Callinan will be amazing. I think he’s so underrated at Pipe. Rhinos really good out there and you know he seems like he’s in a very good place in life. When he’s happy you can really see it in his surfing, it’s real free-flowing and and I think all year he’ll be in devastating form.

Women’s:

LK: By her own estimation Tatiana Weston-Webb is an underachiever at Pipe thus far. If Tati wants to be a world title contender again, then Pipeline presents a real opportunity for her to make a solid start. Courtney Conlogue will have a serious dig as they say and is probably a bigger threat at Backdoor than Pipe, but her win at Teahupo’o in 2022 bolsters her rep in big, left barrels.    

Parko: I’m thinking Tyler, after the back end of last year she didn’t have a lot of success. I think she’s just too much of a warrior actually. I really feel like Tyler could really do some damage not just in the event but the year too. When she’s on she’s unstoppable.

The match-ups we want to see?

Men’s

LK: We will see one straight away. Medina vs JJF vs Leo Fioravanti in heat 12 of round one. Ok it’s a non-elimination round, but that doesn’t mean two bulls won’t but heads in pursuit of bragging rights and a psychological edge. JJF sees Pipe as his domain and Gabriel never likes to lose to JJF so it should really be game on. However, there is a good chance Leo can steal the show if JJF and Gabriel get consumed by the ego battle and make too many emotion-driven decisions. 

Parko: That’s a tough one, I’d love to see Gabriel and John go hard at it. Or even, I’d love to see Kelly and John again, if Kelly’s back in it I’m guessing (Kelly’s confirmed he’s competing). I’d love to see like Jack Robbo get involved in a couple of big heats. I reckon Jack and Gabriel would be amazing.

Women’s

LK: Steph Gilmore meets Moana Jones-Wong in round one alongside comeback-prospect, Macy Callaghan. It’s the world-champ vs last year’s world-beater and a surfer (Macy) who dominated the Juniors but has yet to realise her full potential. A great chance for Steph to prove she has Pipeline form. Like Carissa she desperately wants a Pipe trophy before she hangs up the leggie. Molly Picklum and Courtney Conlogue may just push each other to the Pipe danger zone in their round one match-up with Tyler Wright, who secured a calculated win at Pipe back in 2020.

Parko: I’d love to see Tyler and Carissa you know, in a real good match-up, would be a cool one.

Injuries/ Wildcards

Heartbreaking news for the Aussies with Clutch Queen, Sophie McCulloch (remember she won at Haleiwa to qualify) suffering an ankle injury in the Snapper backwash last week. The Sunny Coast rookie has not stated when she will likely be returning, but she’ll definitely be out of the CT’s first event for 2023.

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A post shared by Sophie McCulloch (@sophie__mcculloch)

Johanne Defay, will also miss Pipe. The World no. 3, just like Sophie, is rocking the moon-boot after she incurred an injury whilst training in Réunion Island. There was also some chatter suggesting that Morocco’s first CT surfer, Ramzi Boukham, could be out of the event after a wipe-out at Backdoor. Neither Ramzi or the WSL have made an update on whether he’ll be competing or not. So, as it stands the goofy-foot rookie will be surfing against Caio Ibelli and eight-time Pipe champ Kelly Slater in the opening round.

Wildcards for the event are Pipe-Queen Moana Jones Wong, Joshua Moniz, Teresa Bonvalot, Imaiklani Devault and Alyssa Spencer.

More from our chat with Parko coming soon..

2023 Pipeline Pro Opening Round Heat Draws
Men
Heat 1: Miguel Pupo, Nat Young, Ian Gentil
Heat 2: Kanoa Igarashi, Jake Marshall, Joao Chianca
Heat 3: Ethan Ewing, Kolohe Andino, Liam O’Brien
Heat 4: Jack Robinson, Jadson Andre, Ezekiel Lau
Heat 5: Italo Ferreira, Seth Moniz, Imaikalani deVault*
Heat 6: Filipe Toledo, Jackson Baker, Joshua Moniz*
Heat 7: Griffin Colapinto, Barron Mamiya, Michael Rodrigues
Heat 8: Caio Ibelli, Kelly Slater, Ramzi Boukhiam
Heat 9: Connor O’Leary, Jordy Smith, Maxime Huscenot
Heat 10: Samuel Pupo, Matthew McGillivray, Rio Waida
Heat 11: Callum Robson, Yago Dora, Ryan Callinan
Heat 12: John Florence, Gabriel Medina, Leo Fioravanti
Women
Heat 1: Tatiana Weston-Webb, Caroline Marks, Teresa Bonvalot
Heat 2: Carissa Moore, Bettylou Sakura Johnson, Alyssa Spencer
Heat 3: Stephanie Gilmore, Macy Callaghan, Moana Jones Wong
Heat 4: Brisa Hennessey, Isabella Nichols, Sally Fitzgibbons
Heat 5: Lakey Peterson, Gabriela Bryan, Caitlin Simmers
Heat 6: Courtney Conlogue, Tyler Wright, Molly Picklum