Pipe Masters Day 2 from the Beach

Today, December 9, 2011 was day 2 of the Billabong Pipe Masters and another ridiculously sick day of barrel rides, mean wipeouts, and sick surfing! Day 2 was just a tad smaller and not as clean as Day 1, but the waves were still considered epic 8-12 foot (Hawaiian scale) Pipeline. 

John John's Perfect 10

The heat of the day was Kelly Slater, John John Florence, and CJ Hobgood’s non-elimination heat #6.  All eyes were on the water and John John was the standout taking small barrels, huge double ups, his second perfect 10 of the contest, and even one enormous left at Backdoor.  Slater seemed to be waiting for that big set out back, and while he did get many great barrels, he could not overtake  John John.  Hobgood also got multiple amazing rides, but also took some beat downs at pitching Pipe. 

This was the most crowded Triple Crown of Surfing that I have ever been to in my life!  The traffic, parking, and crowds were jaw dropping.  I was also blown away to see Kelly Slater today with his “protection specialist” aka security, escorting him in and out of the water.  Wow! What has the sport of surfing become!! 

After my second day at Pipeline, I was in awe of spending two gorgeous days on the north shore watching the best surfers in the world and the breathtaking barrels.  Lucky we live Hawaii, huh?  Check out the full results of day 2.