The Volcom Pipe Pro Has Been Pumping, And Terrifying

Gladiators. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who’s entered the water for the Volcom Pipe Pro over the last four days is a genuine gladiator. The waves have been solid, and due to the proximity of the wave-inducing storms, local winds have been an unfamiliar south, making the lefts a little funky and the rights wide open. All of which has led to some incredible moments that you can see below. 

Day 2 was the smallest of the bunch but still offered plenty Front-and-Backdoor of action. Some of the standouts included Kalani David, Hank Gaskell and Jamie O’Brien, who gained access to the main event by way of the Volcom Last Chance Qualifier. 

Day 3 had even better conditions and subsequently bigger scores. Most notably, South Carolina’s Cameron Richards nailed a 19.87 heat total on two Backdoor screamers… in his first Pipe session in over two years. Jack Robinson and Brent Dorrington also had some memorable performances.

Day 4 was massive. Lumpy, uncomfortable, and massive. It was the type of day that, as Jamie O’Brien admitted, if there weren’t a contest going on he would have been inside watching Netflix. Despite the innumerable Third Reef bombs that rolled over the lineup, the competitors — nay, gladiators — fought hard to survive both in a physical sense and to keep their competition dreams alive. John John unfortunately lost, but Carlos Muñoz caught a crazy buzzer-beater to win his Round 4 clash.

Day 5, the event’s final day, has just begun and looks to have the best conditions yet. In the first heat of the morning, Koa Smith dropped a tube-carve-snap-air combo that, despite garnering only 6 points, was announcer Chris Coté’s favorite ride of the event.

It’s Super Bowl Sunday, it’s Volcom Pipe Pro Finals day, and goddamnit we’re psyched. If ever there were a time to utilize your picture-in-picture tech, it’s right now. 

Watch the Volcom Pipe Pro on Redbull TV, here.