Pipeline lights up for epic showdown
So there he was, The Offsider, stoked to see the silly season get off to a great start earlier this month courtesy of Pipeline lighting up for the 2018 Billabong Pipeline Masters, the 11th and final leg of the World Surfing League’s men’s championship tour.
Finals day on Tuesday, December 11, contained plenty of of drama with the world title, the Triple Crown (judged over three epic events at Haleiwa, Sunset and Pipe) and the Pipeline Masters (representing the most prestigious title in surfing) decided in deadset picture perfect 6-8’ barrels. Naturally, such conditions led to some superlative performances but there were two who made the rest of the pack look distinctly ordinary. First mention must go to Gabriel Medina G Brazil who was at his imperious laserguided best to claim both the world title — his second — and first Pipe Masters title, pipping world No 2 Julian Wilson N Australia in both cases, with Jessie Mendes G Brazil winning the Triple Crown. However, in even heavier conditions the day before, Kelly Slater N America came close to upstaging Medina’s achievements by showing that at age 46, he could still huck himself over the ledge, fall out of the sky and knife the drop on the bombs — those being the trending terms used by commentators — better than anyone. The 8x Pipe Master’s appetite to put himself in harm’s way time repeatedly, taking a beating more often than not, and paddle back out for more was almost unfathomable. However, the privilege of getting the image (of all the shots from the event the Age is given exclusive access to courtesy of the WSL) to accompany this column went to Griffin Colapinto; his drop into a heaving pit epitomising both the sheer class and natural savagery of the break as much as the skill and courage required to surf it well.
Back here, absolutely nothing to froth about. The Offsider listened to yet another talkback radio commenatator rabbiting on about the major issues faced by the Kaitaia community such as alcohol, drugs, homelessness, unemployment etcetera. How about lack of surf? The weather remained hot, humid and sticky, more La Nina than the El Nino the experts assured everyone was in the house.
So little to skite about on Christmas Day, the one day of the year you could be reasonably confident of scoring uncrowded surf if everyone did as they should by putting family first) although Old Mate did mention catching a nice peak at an eastfacing northern beach. The Offsider actually enjoyed an unusual surf on Christmas Eve by boogie-boarding a rapid which formed on his back lawn from the thunderous downpour which struck that afternoon. But the local wave drought looks set to continue deep into summer and could lead the more impressionable among us to the performance of pagan rituals to rectify the situation.
Back at his desk, The Age sportsbuster was surprised how many stories had begun to logjam at what was supposed to be the quiet time of year due to having only one edition out each week over the holiday season. Sportsphiles, meanwhile, can also look forward to the The Offsider’s traditional multipronged round up of the past 12 months including the latest winners of his Underground Sports Awards, the most classic quotes and a series of outstanding images yet to see the light of day. Otherwise, wimps and posers should leave the hall, 2019 is nigh!
The Offsider is Age sportsbuster Francis Malley. Respond at . . . sports@northlandage.co.nz