Can A Floridian Longboard World Champ Smite Shortboarders In The Vans Pipe Masters? - Stab Mag

Watch: The Electric Acid Surfboard Test, Starring Shaun Manners

3367 Views
“I got to know Joel Tudor, and he was kind of a mentor for me," Justin said. "He would call me and go, ‘Look, you like chasing these hurricanes and getting barreled, kid. Step it up and go to Hawaii and get a real fucking barrel! Go to Pipe and do the damn thing.’”

Can A Floridian Longboard World Champ Smite Shortboarders In The Vans Pipe Masters?

Justin Quintal wants to wrangle another second-reef roll-in.

cinema // Nov 1, 2023
Words by August Howell
Reading Time: < 1 minute

The whole “one-wave will change your life” cliche is a tired one. 

That said, one (exceptional) wave can get you an invite to the Vans Pipe Masters (December 8-20). 

Florida man, longboard world champion and fishing world record holder Justin Quintal caught the wave of his life at Pipeline last January, a double-barrel screamer on an 8’5 (‘felt kinda small for me’) that spat him into the channel. It was enough to give him the nod into the 2023 Vans Pipe Masters, where he’ll be looking to replicate last year’s life-maker. 

Justin sees his comfort on bigger equipment as an advantage at the Banzai, especially if those second reef peaks show up. 

“I feel like in a way I almost reverse-engineered it,” he said. “I ride these big boards in small waves, but on a technical level, I feel so comfortable on these boards. They don’t feel like these big, awkward things to me. That’s my baseline, it feels like home.”  

The 2019 WSL World Longboard Champion is a lifelong U.S. East Coast hurricane chaser, equally adept at putting large amounts of foam under the lip as hanging toes in the pocket. He also might be the only pro longboarder other than Harry Roach who can throw an air reverse (see the 1:02 mark!).  

Watch Justin’s entry video above as he explains his nose-riding philosophy, dodges the cops while surfing before a hurricane, and recalls how Joel Tudor nudged him to pull in at Pipeline.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Watch Live: Day One Of The 2023 Vans Pipe Masters

Clear skies and flexing Pipeline.

Dec 9, 2023

The SEOTY Bitcoin Is Up To $63K AUD, 14 People Are In Contention To Win It

(Re)watch the lot of them and tell us your favorite. 

Dec 9, 2023

Kainehe Hunt Still Hasn’t Washed His Truck

The 6’6″ tall 21-year-old from Kauai recalls getting the best Backdoor pit ever recorded.

Dec 9, 2023

A Fortuitous Forecast And $420,000 In Cash Faces A Draw Littered With Florence Brothers And Slab Specialist

The Vans Pipe Masters is gonna be a pit fest.

Dec 8, 2023

Interview: Noa Deane Has A One-Eyed Pony Named Larry David + A $10 Film Called ‘Mash’ Out Now

On barbecuing cash making surf films, why Hawaii is emotional, Nozvid getting ripped down on…

Dec 8, 2023

The 13th And Final 2023 SEOTY Entry: Zoe McDougal In “I Love You”

Dear Zoe’s Ex (es), simmer down, this isn't about you.

Dec 7, 2023

Former Releases Shaun Manners’ Debut Roadman Range

Perfect threads for the travellin' man.

Dec 7, 2023

Is This The Best Backdoor Pit Ever Caught On Camera?

Watch Kainehe Hunt’s 8-second tube from Pipe to OTW today. 

Dec 7, 2023

Red Bull No Contest Trips Over The Transkei, Sampling The Rainbow Nation’s Vast + Variegated Surf Culture 

Eat the many fruits of Jordy Smith, Mikey February and ‘Surprise’ Maphumulo’s backyard!

Dec 6, 2023

Full Frame: Tosh Tudor’s Black’s Beach Excavation

Jimmicane explains a water-angled San Diego gem.

Dec 6, 2023

Unlocked: ‘Growing Normal On The Phone’ — A Visual Epitaph To Shaun Manners’ Adolescence

"I was accelerating so fast in a certain direction that I kinda ricocheted off into…

Dec 6, 2023

Tahitian Government “Pauses” Construction Of Teahupo’o Tower After Mass Backlash

A positive case of "Stick-it-to-the-man-eosis".

Dec 6, 2023

Russia’s Best Surfer Won A National Title In A Lake Before Posting Up In Indo 

Nikita Avdeev plans to shed light on Russia's begrudging surf scene.

Dec 6, 2023

Surfing And Cricket: Sports Of Lords

The only things worse than watching paint dry.

Dec 5, 2023

Watch Now: We Scored Mainland Italy With Leonardo Fioravanti 

Bet you didn't know the Mediterranean Sea could look like this.

Dec 4, 2023

World #4 Joao Chianca Hospitalised After Multiple-Wave Hold Down At Pipe

“His board was tombstoning and when they got to it, he was stuck at the…

Dec 3, 2023

Why Is The WSL (Really) Not Going To J-Bay In 2024?

An analysis of politics, exchange rates and sponsorship dollars at South Africa's premier point.

Dec 3, 2023

Teahupo’o Reef “Massacred” By Olympic Barge

Should surfers boycott the IOC?

Dec 3, 2023
Advertisement