Pipe is such a thing. It is the only place on the tour that really lives up to all the hype. Except for maybe Teahupo’o, and maybe Fiji, and JBay.
Anyway, Pipe is cool. If you haven’t been there, it is one of the things you’re supposed to do some time in your life as a surfer. Even if it does force you to pull your cap over your eyes, put your glasses on, and wrap your tee shirt around your face so that no one will recognize you as a surfer and ask you why you aren’t giving it a go.
Slater
He is one surfer who is always going to give it a go. Now that he has put a possible finite end to his professional surfing career, he’s going to try and get as many good results as he can under the belt before it’s all over. He’s an absolute maestro at Pipe as well, and if he finds his special place he’ll be untouchable. He doesn't find that special place that often any more, but he might…
Jordy
Having his best year on the tour since 2010, Jordy has been very open about the fact that he is camping at Pipe pretty much until the season is over. He’ll be in the best place ever with regards to the wave, and the event at Pipe, but on top of that he’s already in such a good place with the way his year is going thus far. Jordy could slide into a final, and could also very easily nail down a Vans Triple Crown win. That should shut them up ekse.
Gabriel Medina
He’s kind of due another big result about now. After his win at Fiji, he has looked good a few times, but has not banked a second win. No, the only surfer to bank two wins this season thus far is Matt Wilko, and they were the first two events of the year. Gabby knows how to win at Pipe and at good, barreling lefts, by catching two good waves and riding the barrel well. It’s actually that simple for the little big guy, and this could be his second victory of the season.
John Florence
Wouldn't it be sweet to see him finish off the year with a big win in his back yard in front of family and friends? It would be a fitting end to an exemplary year, and it would be very unsurprising to see him get slotted all the way to the final in his casual and cool backhand tube riding style. John John is one of the most relaxed out there, even when it gets to that super-heavy stage, but he’ll ride with nonchalance whether he wins or not.
Seabass
Why not? A former Vans Triple Crown winner and a regular stand-out in Hawaii, obviously, as well as a tendency to charge when it gets heavy, Seabass has a good shout at Pipe. His barrel riding is superb, his carving and rail turns are powerful and unconventional, and his surfing is always full of surprises. The young lad could easily turn it around.
Adriano De Souza on the other hand does not seem that interested and focused anymore. It seems that the tireless surfer might be a little tired. It has been two tumultuous years, and maybe he needs to rest up and rejuvenate.
Parko also seems to be a little bit on the quiet side, even though he made the final at Trestles and is showing good form. His online comment on surfline.com about retirement, in which he said, “I might do five years, I might do five months. I really don’t know when I’ll throw it in.” in an interview in early September has got many people thinking that those five months will be up at the end of January.
