Watch: Opening day at Pipeline

Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

Two days ago the 2018/2019 Hawaiian season hit the ground running with the arrival of an immaculate early season west/nor-west swell. Often the season won't kick in until late October or early November but this was a full-blooded swell that gave all the locals a chance to loosen up.

Comments

snakeman Thursday, 4 Oct 2018 at 04:21 pm new

Makes my surf this morning look very tame.

truebluebasher Thursday, 4 Oct 2018 at 04:58 pm new

Perfect Pipe shares 20 in line-up...Lucky buggerz. Dial that in for Snapper would Ya!

wbat Thursday, 4 Oct 2018 at 06:08 pm new

That was really very good. Not life or death but really good.

wbat Thursday, 4 Oct 2018 at 06:09 pm new

Does anyone know what size/specs boards those guys are riding out there.

wax-on-danielson Thursday, 4 Oct 2018 at 09:33 pm new

Yeah someone went down with a pen and paper and wrote them all down as they got out of the water with rider's height, weight and skill level. Can't remember who?

ritchie-rich Friday, 5 Oct 2018 at 10:53 am new

Haha. That cracked me up.

NickT Friday, 5 Oct 2018 at 01:23 pm new

Hahaha

roondog Saturday, 6 Oct 2018 at 08:03 am new

Fair question and a good observation.
Apart from the drop and caves these guys are getting, board design is right up there with regards to the interest factor.
Over the years the narrow, gunny pin tail has almost faded away. As always these guys make it look easy.

wbat Saturday, 6 Oct 2018 at 02:03 pm new

Yes they do. On a couple of the bigger ones ridden I reckon extra length would have been good but for most part they look like slight step ups, normal shape. That nimbleness would be an advantage.

DeathToCompSurfing Friday, 5 Oct 2018 at 05:19 pm new

That is a great vid. Not just the perfect rides, a snapshot of everything that happened

Ray Shirlaw Friday, 5 Oct 2018 at 07:10 pm new

Wbat6'-6"to7'-2" single/double or slight V but just guessing.

wbat Saturday, 6 Oct 2018 at 02:05 pm new

Can't really see to much in the shape but I reckon you are right on it on the size. You can see the waves ridden where the board is that bit longer and they use that length. The others (most) seem slight step ups and use the nimbleness of the shorter board.
Really well ridden.

1973bro Sunday, 7 Oct 2018 at 01:10 am new

What a great way to start the North Shore Winter on the Rock!
Epic footage these days with the cameras available & a nice edit as well.
Awesomeness all around!!!