Nail-bitting finishes, crowd-pleasing 10s, heavy wipeouts and more make the list
As we gear up for the 10th Annual Volcom Pipe Pro, we take a look back at some of the most exciting, shocking, and downright entertaining moments from the Volcom Pipe Pro. Beginning in 2010 with the first win going to Pipeline local boy Jamie O’Brien and last year’s win going to Oahu’s Josh Moniz, there has been major upsets, multiple repeat winners, and tons of heavy wipeouts. Scroll below for our Top 10 picks. Don’t see one that should’ve made the cut? Let us know on Instagram→ @volcomsurf.
#10 – Lei day freesurf
2013
One of the greatest lei day free surfs in recent history. Though there are some awesome waves in this video, they were gathered throughout the entire day. The good waves were actually few and far between and there was nowhere near enough consistency to run back-to-back heats.
#9 – Kelly Slater scores perfect 10 at Backdoor during the finals
2015
Kelly Slater kicking off the Volcom Pipe Pro 2015 final with a smaller, but tricky Backdoor barrel, racing his way through the tube and exiting just before closing out behind him.
#8 – Noa Deane takes out 4x Volcom Pipe Pro Champ, John John Florence
2018
Newcomer to Pipeline, Noa Deane, takes out 4x Volcom Pipe Pro champ, John John Florence, in challenging conditions. While it wasn’t your typical Pipeline, Noa was able to snag a clean one to secure his spot in the next round.
#7 – Jamie O’Brien scores a perfect 10 with a double barrel at Pipe
2018
Jamie O’Brien surprising the crowd with a double barrel at Pipeline to earn himself a perfect 10-point ride.
#6 – Day 1 carnage, wipeouts, and water washing through the contest site. Dave Wassel talks about all the excitement
2012
Huge surf, wash-throughs, crazy wipeouts from Derek Ho, Tom Dosland, Morgan Faulkner, and a serious injury that leaves Stephen Koehne being carried from the water
#5 – Leo Fioravanti spinal injury in his first heat
2015
Leo Fioravanti suffers a massive wipeout when he tries to take off super late and knife it into a Pipeline bomb, consequently being slammed to the bottom of the reef and compressing his body to sustain a fractured L1 spinal injury.
#4 – Makai McNamara fearless on a Pipe bomb
2016
During the entire event, Makai McNamara, suffering wipeouts and all, was committed to going on the biggest waves. And as a respected surfer out at Pipeline, we knew he had more to show us. During the semifinals this year, Makai turns on definitely the biggest Pipe wave of the event and rides out effortlessly.
#3 – Cam Richards’ performance
2018
Cam Richards stole the show throughout the event at the 2018 Volcom Pipe Pro with multiple high-scoring rides and crowd pleasers. If you didn’t know who Cam Richards was before this event, you definitely knew after.
#2 – Kelly Slater ollies down the face and commits to a no-hands barrel
2014
Kelly Slater bags one of his best waves during the ’13/’14 Hawaii season during this heat at the Volcom Pipe Pro. Taking off super left at Pipeline, he airdrops into a perfect 10-point ride. Mason Ho calling it “one of the sickest waves he’s seen at Pipeline.”
#1 – John John Florence steals win from Jamie O’Brien with 17 seconds left in the final
2012
The most iconic heat in Volcom Pipe Pro history. With under 20 seconds to go in the final, and Jamie O’Brien holding the lead, John John Florence sees a Backdoor gem of a wave on the horizon and scores an epic barrel to claim the title.
Who will take the crown at the 2019 Volcom Pipe Pro? Will it be 4x VPP champ, John John Florence, 11x World Champ, Kelly Slater, or possibly a newcomer looking to earn his respect at the Banzai Pipeline? Stay tuned to live webcast for all the action beginning on January 29!
