FANTASY SURFER

LOCALS STEAL THE SHOW IN RIP CURL PRO PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND ONE

PIPELINE, Hawaii (Sunday, Dec.10, 2006) – It was all about the locals today as the infamous Banzai Pipe and a squadron of Hawaiian Pipe specialists put on a fantastic show in round one of the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters.

With waves of up to three metres plus (10 foot) hitting the contest arena, it was always going to be a day where a sound knowledge of the environment would be a vital component – and those who surf the break day in day out were always going to be heavily advantaged.

Keeping that in mind, the large contingent of wildcards pushed performance levels to new heights with 2004 Rip Curl Pro Pipe Masters champion Jamie O’Brien (HAW) leading the way when he put on a phenomenal display to take down new eight-time Foster’s ASP World Tour champion Kelly Slater (USA).

Scoring a total of 18.86 out of a possible 20 he partnered with Slater on a few occasions to “split the peak” (share the same wave but go in opposite directions) and the resulting epic tube riding from both surfers had the huge crowd in awe.

O’Brien stated that his win was lucky as he was pushed to the inside of the break due to the surfers aggressively jockeying for position. But every time he thought he was out of position for the large lefts on offer, a large right hander “Backdoor” Pipe wave would arrive.

“In the end the result was very lucky. There was a little bit of hassling going on out there and every time I would sit deep, a right would come,” said O’Brien. “And they just kept on coming and coming and coming – it was surreal!”

Perhaps feeling a little cocky after serving up Slater on a platter early (he had Slater needing two good scores to catch up) O’Brien amazing switched stance and took a meaty drop on a large lefthand breaking wave.

A slight slip and he showed that even experts must to have respect for the famous location, which has in past claimed lives as large set heavily pounded the youngster.

“It’s good to have the water patrol out there,” said O’Brien. “You feel confident and safe. After that one switch stance and I got pounded I was looking up and thought, oh at least they’re watching. It feels good to have the best in the world watching you out there.”

His main foe and fellow Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Master Slater was full of praise for O’Brien’s world beating performance.

LOCALS STEAL THE SHOW IN RIP CURL PRO PIPELINE MASTERS ROUND ONE