That sucks. There will definitely be a lot of pandering about how "the surfers don't want to have to compete against Bruce at Pipe" and so forth, but that's ridiculous. The surfers understand the prestige of the Pipemasters and know the best surfers should be in it regardless. Let's face it, Bruce's time has come and gone sadly and he is no longer the best surfer at Pipeline and he is no longer the most explosive surfer on the planet. He is still phenomenal, no doubt. However, I would argue that Jamie O and Dane and Kelly and Andy and so forth could tackle him in most aspects of surfing. Bruce took the tour for granted and thought he was too cool for school and never really gave it a good effort. He's spoiled. He's lazy and now Volcom and supporting his approach to life. A shame really...he could have really gave it a go.

Bruce is one of the best out at pipe but doesn't deserve a spot. Whether it was his intention or not, when he quit the tour it showed great disrespect to the all the other CT'ers. It was a definite message that he was so much better that he could make it without the tour. I think the elitist vibe made it an easy choice for the world's top surfers. Watch Kai Barger's recent video on surfline where he claims that he might not be interested in a WCT future because of Bruce. A guy like Bruce that is born with looks and talent will immediately become a roll model. The question is, does he really care?

This really does not seem right. I mean seriously people! Bruce Irons has proved himself time and time again at Pipe and the former Champion doesn't get to compete this year because of politics? This is a joke! The top 6 that got in for the peer vote are kooks besides Jamie O. This is ridiculous. One of the only guys I watch during the Pipe event is Bruce Irons. He is spectacular at Pipeline. I would take off work to watch his heats there! The ASP isn't able to recognize that? He draws crowds at Pipe. He makes the event along with the other guys like his Brother and Kelly... I think any former Champion that has made so many finals and has so much popularity at Pipe should be granted a position to compete. Is the ASP messing with Bruce because he didn't want to do the tour? They all know his passion is at Pipeline and radical waves. I sure hope someone wakes up and puts the former Champ in the event. This is just wrong.

This is a riot. The ASP thinks Reef and Kamalei should be in the Pipemasters over Bruce Irons. For peet sakes ASP. They are just trying to punish Bruce from not wanting to do the tour. Bruce is one of the few that can be claimed to be the best at Pipeline. He should always be in the event no matter what. WHo is running this organization? Bruce Irons is a Pipemaster!?

We're over Bruce. Moving on braddah.

This really does not seem right. I mean seriously people! Bruce Irons has proved himself time and time again at Pipe and the former Champion doesn't get to compete this year because of politics? This is a joke! The top 6 that got in for the peer vote are kooks besides Jamie O. This is ridiculous. One of the only guys I watch during the Pipe event is Bruce Irons. He is spectacular at Pipeline. I would take off work to watch his heats there! The ASP isn't able to recognize that? He draws crowds at Pipe. He makes the event along with the other guys like his Brother and Kelly... I think any former Champion that has made so many finals and has so much popularity at Pipe should be granted a position to compete. Is the ASP messing with Bruce because he didn't want to do the tour? They all know his passion is at Pipeline and radical waves. I sure hope someone wakes up and puts the former Champ in the event. This is just wrong.

The Chips has to laugh. The funny thing about giving up contest surfing is that you no longer get invited to contests. Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side. 23 Chips

look how dumb this guys comment is bruce the man best style ever. if u like tricks pick up skating

I think most of all, it shows that surfers are a selfish tribe who tend to not demand respect for it's leaders, but promote themselves as "the guy". Bruce's personal decisions and choices are his to make. The tour is a massive grind and not for everyone. We need free surfers in our sport, they will continue to push the limits for ever. For every surfer who voted, to not vote for him is such crap, it's ubsurd and they should feel like shit, period. It's hard enough to get into the pipe masters, let alone even win one heat in your entire life. To win the Pipe masters is simply legendary, and up until recently was viewed as such. I'd be interested to know how many heats in the last 10 years he has won at pipe. Drop the pride, get Bruce's ass into the event and fuckin' respect our amazing sports hero's before we lose the respect of the masses.

Ovbiously...they don`t wanna lose to Bruce or Machado...or better, they wanna win without having to surf against them, what a bunch of crap, they should be alloweD to surf it cause they owned it several times. peace out!

Scott has a point, there should be a grandfather clause offering a spot to past winners inside a particular period--five years, 10 years, etc. Machado and Bruce both could win that event in a given year, and as far competitive surfing goes, both have more established records than the other "peer poll" invitees. But that's life. Hopefully Bruce and Mob aren't so bummed they lose perspective: they are blessed enough to make a living from surfing. No desks, no time-cards, no church clothes. They surf and experience the world. That alone should offset any disappointment from being left out of the Pipe Masters. And whoever said Bruce quitting the 'CT was disrespectful is an idiot. Bruce decided to leave, he'd been on tour for years. It would've been a different story if he just quit mid-season and didn't finish; that's a full on dick move. But he didn't. What if you give your boss two weeks notice, leave your job, and pursue something else -- aren't you disrespect

Bruce wasn't voted into the Pipemasters by his fellow surfers. This has nothing to do with the ASP - it would be in their interest to have someone like Bruce in the event because he's such a draw. His peers in Hawaii didn't vote him in and that is a shame, but look, Bruce turned his back on the world and his fans when he quit the tour. He never even made a dent. He could have had a great seed this season with his win in Bali but he just abandoned it and abandoned us. We all wanted to see Bruce challenge for a title, but in the end, his ego got in the way...a waste of talent.

What about Andy? The article does nothing to indicate that he has a spot in the Masters and he has also chosen to sit the year out. While I certainly think that Bruce is a pleasure to watch at Pipe, especially when he's freesurfing, I feel that Andy is a far superior competitor at Pipe and has the otherworldly ability to find a wave at Pipe when he needs one in the dying seconds of a heat... just ask Slater from a few years back!

Who would you rather see surf the Pipe Masters: Bruce or Andy Irons?

Stoked to see Liam made it. How old is that guy, anyway? Go Liam!

a ten year exemption is not realistic. guys have won in mushy Ehukai beachbreak, i.e. Bede Durbidge and Robbie Page. they don't deserve a ten year free pass, while hardcore pipe rippers get excluded.

I like Brucie as much as the next guy, but unfortunately, there are only so many slots. North Shore rules essentially limit the number of competitors to 64. There have been a lot of different attempts over the years at trying to fairly round out the field, but there will always be excellent surfers left out (and politics will come into play). I'm curious where Bruce stood in the Peer Poll which allowed six wildcards in: Reef, Kamalei, Fuller, Hickman, Chapman, and JOB.

The ASP has nothing against Bruce and didn't exclude him. It was the Hawaiian surfers that voted and excluded him. I wouldn't say that the surfers that did get voted in were "kooks" but it would be hard to argue that any of them have half of Bruce's skill, except Jamie. Althought, Bruce kinda brought this on himself if he thought he was to cool to surf the event to qualify. Kinda like when Machado thought he didn't have to surf the WCT while his wife was pregnant and the other surfers disagreed. I would have also liked to see Sunny get a vote as he still dominates in Hawaii.

The six who were voted in are standouts at Pipe, but a Pipe contest without Bruce? No can.

Reef, Kamalei, Fuller, Hickman, Chapman and JOB put there time in out at Pipe and are truly deserving of being voted into the event, and nothing but respect for those who voted. Bruce is a primadonna who thought he was too good to surf the CT and then thought he was too good to surf Trials for the Pipe event. Sorry Mr. Superstar, but I'm with 23 Chips on this one...you walk away from your fans and competing and then expect to get into competitions without strings. Welcome to reality.

who cares. he wants to be retired, let him be retired. can't have your cake and eat it too.

Are the surfers today anyless profesional than today's golfers.Scott you were right on the mark refering to golf "masters" Is it time to have a Seniors Tour Could you imagine telling Jerry Lopez "SORRY"

Waaaahhhhh. Cry me a river! He is too lazy to do the tour and just wants to sit in his Pipe loft and travel to take pics. God forbid he wants to push himself professionally while half our nation is scrambling to make ends meet! His peers probably opted out of the Bruce charity club because everyone sees he is handed ample support on a platter by his stimulant sniffing sponsors. Let someone else shine who is busting ass to do so versus someone looking to coast with the talent they have been given.

hey dumbass learn the master's name before you even speak it it is Gerry Lopez.... damn what a kook...........shaka

What about Mark Healey? I mean Bruce is a sick surfer, but he has never eclipsed the level of surfing he displayed in Campaign 1. And how do you root for a guy who acts like a self-absorbed lazy punk sitting on a volcom financed pedestal? Meanwhile Mark Healey has provided us with tons of great footage of making bombs and just as often taking mind altering beatings. He's a well rounded waterman and pipeline regular. I would have added HEALEY!! I'm bummed he missed the cut through the contest.

personally, i think bruce is one of the all time best surfers at pipe and should be in the event - he retired from the Tour, but not from all competitive surfing. he is a pleasure to watch at pipe and will be great for the event and great for surfing. Get him in!

ASP association of absolutely stupid people!!! Bass has it right why not past champions have exemption. What about the non-hawaiians do they get a shot??? Why wasn't Machado in the event or any other non-local. Surfing is still an adolescent sport that needs to grow up and figure its shit out. Just give everyone an equal opportunity, no disrespect to those who got in they charge and earned there way in via the contest but this is not a popularity contest.

Correct decision. As is proven by these messages, everyone has their preference, so how is the problem solved? "GO OUT AND COMPETE!' If Bruce wants to leave the tour thats his decision. A surfer blessed with incredible talent, never fully realized. With the level of professionalism in surfing these days the tour doesn't need Bruce. You reap what you sow. What goes around comes around. I'm bummed about Healey too, but he can sleep at night knowing all questions were answered. What's Bruce going to be thinking in 5-10 years time? Coulda', shoulda', woulda? "Just because you are a character, doesn't mean you have character.

SURF!!!

This is where Bruce and Andy got their great big wave style of surfing. It does not work for the rest of the tour but it works at Pipe. So I hope they both make it to the finals.

Bruce has always had a big head. Hell with Volcom kissing his ass as well as his little entourage its no wonder he thought that he should get a free pass into the pipe masters. His peers not voting him in just shows what a self absorbed ego-maniac bruce really is. I not denying the talent that he has got. I just a little sick of his elitist attitude. Hell early this year he was crying about surfing perfect J-Bay because it was to cold. Mr. Irons what it all boils down to is that your attitude sucks or else you wouldn't have quit the tour. Hell you were snubbed by a group of your peers. They all probably think your good enough to compete but when you've been walking around with a chip on your shoulder for most of your life sooner or later your gonna get put in your place.

Get off the computer, go surf. When you are walking, biking, or driving back home, look at all the forclosed and bank owned signs. Pick up the paper and see how many people lost jobs. Then think outloud does this tour,pipe,bruce shit effect me? would half those mofos drop in on me or try to give me shit? Its time to send a reality check to people who don't have to budget for a new board.

anyone who calls the five surfers voted in besides Jamie O is the real kook if you have surfed pipe with any of these guys you would know tha they rip out there

that sucks for bruce but he has to get over it those local guys deserve it they fucken charge when no ones out and bruce will still be in other events

Peer vote, huh? Sounds like a popularity contest to me.

Politics my friggin' arse. There's nothing political about it. His own friggin' PEERS were the ones who didn't vote him in. Obviously, more people on this forum could do without him than are dying to see him in the comp. But what's the debate? His own HAWAIIAN pro peers said "no dice" to him? Sorry mate, it appears all those guys who pretend to be your bros are sick of your shit, too. So, go squint your eyes again, try to look tough, , act like you don't care, and go cry in your pile of money that Volcom pays you to act precisely like that...

I assume all those who make comments about Bruce's talent surf with him on a regular basis, and so forth with the other pros you declare better than him. Personally I have never surfed with them and have no clear idea. I know I am inspired in many aspects of my live to push myself perhaps a little bit harder because of Bruce. Maybe I go on one more wave, maybe in more ways than one, because of Bruce's - shall we s- gung-ho approach, or did we mention style? I apologise to those who care about different things to him, but I leave you in your own capable arms, wishing him all the best in fatherhood.

One word for Bruce: BWWWWAAAAhAAHHHAAAAAHAAHAAAAHAAAAHHH!!! Maybe people act like they like him in front of his face so they can get things from him, but behind closed doors they think he is the spoiled little brat he really is. I'd rather watch paint dry than have to deal with any of Bruce Irons Cool Guy Antics at contests.

I think Bruce Irons is totally capable of making a big comeback. Those bitches at pipe that voted him out suck. They may hate him for good reason, I don't know, but this is chicken crap. Good luck, Bruce, I'll be rooting for you.

Since when did getting into the Pipe Masters turn into an episode of Survivor? The alliance that apparently voted together for themselves, keeping Bruce and almost Jamie out is a bunch of crap. Yes, those guys put in there time and are fantastic surfers out there, but Bruce's hallmark should earn him a spot in the event, prior to the 8 spots given away at the HIC. Or, if they're going to give away 16 additional spots, why wouldn't some of those spots be reserved for relevant past champions. Bruce will get the last laugh though, some how some way the event will seem tainted with him sitting on the sidelines (read: his balcony) not competing. They'll probably still take his picture though. Betcha...

Listen Up! Hawaiian Pro Surfers Union (et al) decided the qualifying criteria for how the local pros could get an invite into the Billabong Pipeline Master for 2009. It was by PEER Vote OR... successfully SURFING in the HIC qualifying event. The voting process had NOTHING to do the ASP, any Promoters, Judges or the Bartender at Lei Leis. The Vans Triple Crown organizers said to the HPSU... "give me 14-names!" That simple! As for the other two spots: One slot is reserved for a Tahitian, and one for a non-CT Hawaiian surfer whose has the opportunity to win the Triple Crown, after big results at Haleiwa and Sunset (like Dusty Payne did last year). So... (1) You surf your way in, or (2) You have paid your dues at Pipe and have the respect from the Pipe locals, and were voted in. (To make up the 64-man-field... you have the 45 World Tour Surfers and the 3 Wildcards). ••• PS - All the talk about Bruce and Past Champions. When Bruce won his Pipe Masters Title in 2001, it was a Champions/S

While I personally have not had the honor to surf with Bruce, I can offer a synopsis regarding this matter from a logical perspective. Those fortunate enough to receive the hawaiin "peer" votes is a self-fulfilling prophecy, since being a regular surfer at pipe (like Fuller, McIntosh, Chapman, and Hickman) are paying dues 24-7. As far as Jamie O - no further comment is required since his skill and homage to the wave are of legendary nature. They have gained the respect of the north shore. Bruce is one of the best at pipe, he is legendary, but I am suspecting that maybe his peers in Hawaii SPECIFICALLY did not approve of what they felt was spoiled behavior on his part (CT tour, etc) - and thus are temporarily re withholding respect. In time, all things change. Bruce is not competitive in his surfing by nature - but is probably the best free surfer in the world. If he digs deep and cares, you will see him competing in the Pipeline Masters again. Regardless, he is probably already satisfied - 2

It's a peer vote. His peers voted elsewhere, suggesting to me that for whatever reason these guys deserved it more than Bruce. Maybe they are sending him a message. He sure does have one hell of an attitude. But he RIPS IT, especially at Pipe. I hope he gets on next vote, and perhaps develops a more mature perspective through the experience of missing out : ) Gwan Bruce