“We Locked Eyes For A Second, And I Was Like, ‘Here we go again’”

Video and frames by Christian Oehmke.

Today, the proud-to-be-oldest man in the Vans Pipe Masters created yet another archival moment at Pipeline. On a single wave, two surfers — Jamie O’Brien (41) and Mike Stewart (61)— split the tab on a 12-foot, Second Reef monster. 102 years of human life crammed into one tube. 

JOB chipped in from deep, S-turning his way through the flat section, while Stewart, the 61-year-old bodyboarding world champ, took a straight line for the double-up. Both were spat out into the channel — alive and kicking.  

Here’s JOB’s take on the 20-year Pipe-party reunion:

“I was on a 7’6” Gerry Lopez, the board I use when it’s big and second-reefing. It’s a different approach to Pipeline — not just about being under the ledge. I started on first reef, but it wasn’t working out, so I moved outside. I caught a second reef set, then got a big one on the head. I kept edging deeper, knowing the swell was rising. Finally, a big one came through. I was super deep — almost taking off near Rockpile.

“I took off early, barely made the section, and then I saw Mike Stewart on the wave. At first, I didn’t recognise him, and I tried to call him off. Then I thought, ‘Oh, it’s Mike — sick!’

“We locked eyes for a second, and I wasn’t really thinking, just, ‘Here we go again.’ Mike took a faster line, and I thought, ‘Maybe I’m missing something here.’ So, I just went for it — pedal to the metal.

“It was a sketchy barrel to pull into, but I was committed. No backing out. As I pulled in, I crossed over Mike’s track, which threw me off a bit. I wrestled with it, finally got over it, then started looking for Mike. That’s when the wave chandeliered, spit everywhere, and I thought, ‘Oh shit, I’m about to run into him.’

“The spit was massive. When I came out, I was like, ‘Holy shit, where’s Mike?’ Then I saw him. It was a cool moment.”

The wildest part? This wasn’t their first accidental share plate. Two decades ago, the same two men pulled the same stunt, as seen in Jamie’s 2006 movie, Freakside. Stick around long enough, and the past comes knocking.

“Today brought me back to 20 years ago, the last time we double-barreled out there. That wave might’ve been smaller, but it stood up better on the reef. This one loaded up nicely too, but the light northeast wind made it a bit chattery.”

“I guess he got one back on me today, since it was probably his wave last time. Back then, he came from second reef, and I chipped in. Today, I had priority, but I think last time, it was his. Either way, it all worked out — and it was one of the most incredible views I’ve ever had at Pipeline.”

To explain the sheer improbability of it happening twice, 20 years apart, Jamie puts it simply: “Mike knows how to read the right wave, and I know how to read the right wave. Sometimes, we just end up in the right place at the right time.”