Photo: WSL / Ed Sloane
The event window for the 46th running of the Pipe Masters commences on Thursday December 8th and concludes on Tuesday December 20th. The Billabong Pipe Masters is the last event of the 2016 Men’s Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour, as well as the third and final event of the 2016 Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing. Careers and reputations will be on the line at the notoriously perilous wave, where wave selection, tube riding expertise and sheer bravado will be the metrics that determine the champion. For the first time since 2011, the Championship Tour Title will not be decided at Pipe, as John John Florence clinched the CT title with a win at the 2016 Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal.
Defending event champion, and 2015 World Champion, Adriano de Souza (Current World #7) will have his sights resolutely set on defending his event title; no doubt in typical Adriano workmanlike fashion. Last year’s runner up Gabriel Medina (Current World #2) will be looking to finish the 2016 CT season strong, coming off a highly disappointing (and ultimately World Title run ending) equal 13th at Portugal.
Past Winners of the Pipe Masters:
Adriano de Souza (2015), Julian Wilson (2014), Kelly Slater (2013), Joel Parkinson (2012), Kieren Perrow (2011), Jeremy Flores (2010), Taj Burrow (2009), Kelly Slater (2008), Bede Durbidge (2007), Andy Irons (2006), Andy Irons (2005), Jaime O’Brien (2004), Andy Irons (2003), Andy Irons (2002), Bruce Irons (2001), Rob Machado (2000), Kelly Slater (1999), Jake Paterson (1998), John Gomes (1997), Kelly Slater (1996), Kelly Slater (1995), Kelly Slater (1994), Derek Ho (1993), Kelly Slater (1992), Tom Carroll (1991), Tom Carroll (1990), Gary Elkerton (1989), Robbie Page (1988), Tom Carroll (1987), Derek Ho (1986), Mark Occhilupo (1985), Joey Buran (1984), Dane Kealoha (1983), Michael Ho (1982), Simon Anderson (1981), Mark Richards (1980), Larry Blair (1979), Larry Blair (1978), Rory Russell (1977), Rory Russell (1976), Shaun Tomson (1975), Jeff Crawford (1974), Gerry Lopez (1973), Gerry Lopez (1972), Jeff Hakman (1971)
And your Round 1 Heat Draw when the event gets started:
Heat 1: Julian Wilson, Wiggolly Dantas, Jeremy Flores
Heat 2: Kolohe Andino, Miguel Pupo, Alex Ribeiro
Heat 3: Matt Wilkinson, Nat Young, Ryan Callinan
Heat 4: Jordy Smith, Keanu Asing, Bede Durbidge
Heat 5: Gabriel Medina, Kanoa Igarashi, TBD
Heat 6: John John Florence, Jadson Andre, TBD
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza, Conner Coffin, Adam Melling
Heat 8: Joel Parkinson, Stuart Kennedy, Kai Otton
Heat 9: Filipe Toledo, Josh Kerr, Alejo Muniz
Heat 10: Kelly Slater, Caio Ibelli, Jack Freestone
Heat 11: Sebastian Zietz, Italo Ferreira, Davey Cathels
Heat 12: Adrian Buchan, Michel Bourez, Matt Banting
Front runners for the 2016 Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing include:
Frederico Morais (16,000 points), John John Florence (12,300 points), Jordy Smith (12,100 points), Jadson Andre (10,400 points) and Kelly Slater (9,100 points)
Surfline’s Official Event Forecast says “Solid NW swell will be strongest Friday morning with an easing trend through the day. Saturday will see smaller leftovers, although still offering some contestable waves (especially in the morning). Breezy E trades prevail Friday before backing off through the weekend.”
