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| North Shore veteran Michael Ho positions himself for a barrel ride during the second round of the Hawaiian Island Creations Pipeline Pro.
Bernie Baker photo |
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
The Pipe dreams of 32 surfers survived a treacherous day at the Banzai Pipeline yesterday.
The third round of the Hawaiian Island Creations Pipeline Pro was completed in 8- to 12-foot surf that deserved a do-not-try-this-at-home warning.
The large waves combined with shifty winds to create unpredictable rides throughout the day. What’s more, most of the surfers who competed yesterday are relatively unheralded (the top seeds have byes until the fourth round), if not fearless.
"This is the only contest I did last year, and this is probably the only one I’ll do this year," Travis Potter of Seal Beach, Calif., said after advancing through his heat. "I just like the chance of surfing (at Pipeline) with only three other guys out. When you get a chance like that, you just have to go for it."
Many others apparently shared the feeling, as the third round was filled with both spectacular barrel rides and scary wipeouts. No competitors were injured, although five surfboards were snapped in half.
"It’s definitely dangerous out there," said Kaua‘i’s Jeremy Doudt, 26. "I think you have to be a little cautious, but at the same time, you can’t hold back."
Doudt was a perfect example. Competing for the first time since breaking his left foot at the end of last year, he won two heats yesterday.
"This contest is actually a big thing for me," he said. "I just wanted to get back in action."
For Jamie O’Brien, a 17-year-old high school senior, it was merely another day surfing at Pipeline. The contest is being held in his backyard · literally. His family lives in the house that sits directly in front of the famed Pipeline wave.
"I surf out here every day, even if it’s one foot," he said. "I think that helps my confidence a lot. When I was little, I used to look at the waves and say, ‘oh my God, it’s 12 feet.’ Now, I’m more used to it, so I’m like ‘oh, whatever.’ "
His practice paid off as he was able to find several barreling waves during his third-round victory. Other standouts yesterday included Hawai‘i surfers Chava Greenlee, Mark Healey, Aaron Fredette and Tory Barron.
The 32 surfers advancing out of yesterday’s third round will join the top 32 seeded competitors in the fourth round. Among the seeded surfers in the fourth round are world champion Sunny Garcia and defending event champ Carlos Cabrero.
Two more days of competition are needed to determine a champion. For daily status of the event, call 596-7873 or 922-2664.
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