Ben Gravy has had quite a time in Hawaii. It’s been a big year for him — one full of limit-pushing, like his newfound love for big wave surfing — and Jamie O’Brien has been a bit of a mentor. From towing Gravy into the biggest wave of his life to showing him the river ropes at Waimea, O’Brien’s been a partner-in-crime for Gravy’s time on the rock. And of course, since Jamie O’Brien is one of a few kings of Pipeline, Ben Gravy had to give that one a go, too.
Pipeline’s an intimidating place. Not only is it one of the best waves on earth, but it’s generally full of some of the best surfers on earth. Add that to the fact that there are likely to be more than a few cameras on the beach, and it all adds up to a case of pre-surf jitters for Ben Gravy. That, though, is precisely what it is about him that the world loves: he’s the everyman putting himself out there, jitters jittering and nerves fraying, facing the camera while he faces his fears.
“The day has finally come that Pipeline is on!” Gravy wrote. “Jamie O’Brien is a master at what he does out here in Hawaii and it’s an honor to be able to share some waves with him and learn about a world-class wave such as Pipe.”
Jamie, of course, was happy t0 surf with Ben. “You did good,” dude. “Super proud of you. I think I can get you into the Pipe Masters, 2022.” You heard it from him first, and we’d love to see it.
