Jake Paterson Speculates On The Pipeline Masters And Vans Triple Crown

Northside Oahu has been activated.

While the Triple Crown was being choked by a disagreeable Sunset (now resolved!), Pipe’s gotten impatient. It’s come to life with potency, and not just the pull-in-and-pack kind of energy, but proper achievable bombs for those with sufficient spine.

Meanwhile, the Vans Triple Crown has already gifted two of its three jewels to well-respected surfers – Joel Parko took Haleiwa and Ezekiel Lau Sunset. Despite the regularfoots’ domination of the first two events, it’s goofyfoot Jesse Mendes who currently leads the VTC race, with a semi at Haleiwa and second at Sunset. Joel and Zeke follow closely behind and will look to usurp the blonde Brazilian at Pipe.

Focusing one eye on the Banzai and the other on qualification maths, it’s time we consider how the cards might fall for the year’s final event. 

Who’ll own competitive surf in 2018?

The man with the advantage coming into the final checkpoint has staged a comeback of monumental proportions this time around. Gabriel Medina has resurrected himself from the bottom rungs of the rankings to having one arm dipped in the trophy cabinet, proving once again that he really does feed off defeat…

The title is Gabby’s to lose (even the WSL says so), so unless bad fortune strikes him down early and the pair of hungry trailers nipping at his heels progress to the latter rounds, he’ll be walking away with his second Title.

However Pipe won’t be all about Gabs, Filipe Toledo, and Julian Wilson. There’s plenty of darkhorses doing time on the stretch as we speak, begging for an opportunity to upset our frontrunners and steal some of that Pipe Masters glory.

Rather than speculating on the impending showdown from the peripherals, we stuck a mic in Jake ‘Snake’ Paterson’s face. If there’s someone to extract credible prophecy from, it’s the ex-Pipe Master and super coach to the stars. After all, the man spends more time analysing from the sand than anyone else in the game.

Snake! How’s Hawaii treating you? Who’s ripping?

Three guys come to mind from what I have seen when I have been at Pipe. Griff, Owen and Italo have been putting in the time out there and it’s showing in the waves they’ve been getting.

Has the year panned out the way you expected for the men’s CT?

I expected the top three guys to be running for the Title, but didn’t think Gabriel would have such a big lead going into Pipe. Jules and Filipe have a huge challenge ahead to win. It’s crazy how Italo has won three events this year and yet isn’t in the Title race?!

How about that Medina comeback? Owen’s done well, too, Filipe, Italo… Wade!

Not surprised at all about Gab late run, he did the same thing last year and if there had of been one or two more events late last year I think that he might have won because of the form he was in.

Owen is so hard to beat, he’s so solid in all kind of waves and doesn’t have any weaknesses. Italo is just a freak of nature, a little like Filipe, gives 110% to every heat. Wade is the surprise packet of the year for me, top 10 first year is a huge effort.

This guy’s been ruling Pipe of late.

Gimme three men to look out for and why.

Gabby, because history doesn’t lie. He is a freak in all kind of waves, charges big Pipe and goes Backdoor as well.

Jules has won Pipe before and will give everything he has to try and win.

Owen, for the way he reads the ocean and charges big waves will be one to look out for.

If it’s big, who’ll dominate? 

Same guys as above and some other mad hatters like Griff, Jeremy, Zeke, Seabass, and of course Kelly Slater coming back from injury.

Heeeeee’s baaaack.

What about if it’s lacking? 

I don’t think its going to be small this year. We have had a few big swells and the forecast is looking great for a start in solid surf.

The Triple Crown, what are your thoughts?

Parko! They should just give him the trophy now!

And this Wildcard situation for next year?

All I can say is poor old Caio!! He is going to get bent over in this situation no matter how you look at it.