Sunny Don’t Go Away. Just ask Randy Rarick. When Sunny showed up late for his first round heat at the Pipe Masters it was contest organiser, Rarick who had to deal head on with the fuming former world champion.

Sunny Don’t Go Away. Just ask Randy Rarick. When Sunny showed up late for his first round heat at the Pipe Masters it was contest organiser, Rarick who had to deal head on with the fuming former world champion.

By the time Sunny front and centred on the sand at Pipe, Tory Meister had already stepped in as the first Hawaiian alternative. I’m not sure why Sunny was late but on the beach former WQS surfer and Redbull Pit-Boss Andy King had a pretty good theory. “ Probably doesn’t wear a watch.” Despite the tardiness Sunny was convinced he should still be allowed to surf. Tory was well in to the heat but still hadn’t ridden a wave when Sunny rocked up. Sunny felt this was reason enough to haul Tory out of the water and let the Hawaiian royalty step in. When Randy said, “Sorry, that’s not the way it works,” Sunny switched on the menace and threatened him. The scene played out before a bemused beach crowd. Sensing a PR nightmare, Randy managed to take the conversation somewhere more private. Sunny’s aggressive vibe soon mellowed to a miserable sulkiness. Randy had given him the option to be the next alternate if someone didn’t show. Sure enough with 7 minutes remaining in a heat [Paddle out is at five minutes to go] Miki Picon was nowhere to be seen. As the clock ticked down Sunny insisted that it was now his rightful option to surf. Randy almost had to hide the singlet, lest Sunny grab it and paddle out. Eventually Miki showed and Sunny was left to reflect on a dumb move that had cost him a chance at the Triple Crown.

Liam and his eight foot long shooter.

Things faired better for another Hawaiian wildcard, Liam McNamara. While on-line punters scrambled for computers to bet the house and car on his opponents, Liam snuffed out the lefts [he doesn’t really go right and admits his kids do it better than him] and got the job done. Sporting his signature accessory –The Goth helmet and a bright Jerry Lopez gun, the man made famous by the Hawaii 90 films emerged the victor over both Nathaniel Current and Chris Davidson. Liam took a little time out from the counter at his surf shop, which is located next to the famed Foodland store, to rekindle his relationship with Pipe. The guys who work at Liam’s surf shop, Jersey and Gustavo, couldn’t believe the boss had come through. Liam had so much Aloha spirit rolling by his second victory he was using his post-heat interviews to co-ordinate beach clean up programs. “ Thanks for watching today I’d just like to ask everybody to please make sure they take their trash with them when they leave today.” Liam for mayor.

Davo – shattered.

Amongst the Aussies it was hard to go past Phil Macdonald who seemed to be surfing for all the right reasons. Macca’ caused an upset against Jamie O and then when the contest rolled in to round two he was straight back out to defeat Greg Emslie. Stomping up the beach, with his singlet still gripping the Nutri-Grain frame, Macca paused for a quick chat stating mongst other things,

“I’m retiring at the end of the year so this is probably one of the last chances I’ll get to surf pipe with a couple of guys. Guess I’m making the most of it.” On a day Andy King called some of the most fun looking Pipe and backdoor he’d ever seen you couldn’t blame him.

– By Luke Kennedy