“They call it the Triple Crown of Nightclubs”

Story by Morgan Williamson 

“It’s just weird when the whole world shows up,” says Jamie O’Brien on the mayhem that ensues with the start of The Vans Triple Crown. The HIC Sunset Pro kicks off tomorrow. It’s all about to commence. If you live in a ‘tourist’ town then you’re well aware that ‘tourist’ season’s weighed in pros and cons. So we chatter, complain, party and enjoy the chaos while patiently waiting to get our beaches back. It’s a good time to be single, and a bad time to think you’re going to get your home break without a crowd.

Stab: What’s the best part of the contests being in town?
Jamie: Well, you get a chance to win the Pipe Masters. It provides the opportunity to do good in the contest and make some money. It also allows younger kids to be seen and lock down a sponsor.

What’s the worst part about the next few months? Watching hundreds of cars with board bags strapped to their roof driving in our direction. It’s a little be overwhelming. You just got to take it all in and realise where you live and why the whole world seems to be showing up at your doorstep. It’s not a bad thing, it kind of makes you appreciate where you are, although it does become a bit of a hassle.

How do the locals tend to react? People get a little territorial, especially around Pipeline. Only because we’ve all been waiting for it to start working. And once the tour comes into into town Pipe seems to always be good. But for me, whether it’s firing, shitty, onshore or 30, 40 feet it doesn’t matter. Every day I’ll be over there and on it. Even if it’s a shitty winter. I hate when people grumble and say the waves have been bad, that it’s been a shitty winter. I don’t get that way. Every winter I get great waves and have so much fun. If it’s not good, don’t complain, just embrace it. That’s what we try to do with Who is JOB. Just have as much fun as we possibly can regardless of the conditions.

Save the children! Photo: Tom Carey

What’s the lineup sitch? It’s really crowded but most people are respectful and nice. They’re excited to come to Hawaii and surf. And we look forward to our own winter as well. I don’t really get too worried about it. All the locals just do their thing. It’s the same if I go surf Rincon or the Wedge, I have to wait my turn just like everybody else.

With all the people reigning down on the North Shore, the party scene must be kicking. Ha, they call it the Triple Crown of Nightclubs! The club scene gets so crazy. A bunch of girls and guys you’ve never seen start showing up. Then you also get all the random people that just hang out all day at Pipeline and you’re like oh, another weirdo’s in town. Every winter there seems to be at least five new weirdos that just stick around. Pipeline attracts some strange things. But weird’s better than normal, if it was normal it wouldn’t be any fun.

You got any words of wisdom for tourists coming out for the events? Don’t block peoples driveways and don’t park on the street. There’s just so many people sometimes it’s hard to get across the road. A little respect goes a long way in Hawaii. And be friendly, that will go a long way as well.

It looks like the opening season of Pipe’s in the forecast, do you think it will turn on soon? My comment on that really depends on when you’re planning to release this interview…