The final stage of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing begins today at the Banzai Pipeline

by Brenda Yun on

It is arguably the most famous wave in the world, the wave that all other waves are measured against. In recent years, Pipeline has provided the perfect arena for the final stage of the Vans Triple Crown, and the first day of competition will be held today in 10+ foot surf.

With its shallow coral reef and a lack of continental shelf to break up the open-ocean swells, Pipeline is one of the most dangerous waves in the world. Add a packed lineup of wave riders trying to get a piece of the action, and Pipe becomes not just a dangerous ride, but an extremely entertaining show for spectators.


Pipeline breaks in the winter because storms from Alaska send groundswells towards the North Shore from thousands of miles away. The waves travel great distances across the northern Pacific Ocean, and unleash some spectacular waves along the north shores of the Hawaiian islands.

Every year, thousands of surfers travel to Oahu from all ends of the earth to test their skills at this famous spot. Depending on the day, surfers go in either direction on the wave. The right is known as Backdoor and the left is called Pipeline.

With the swell that allowed Eddie to go still pumping, the Billabong Pipeline Masters will begin today and possibly wrap up in the next few days. The contest has to finish by December 20. If you aren’t on the islands to see the action with your own eyes, you can watch it live HERE.

Of the three jewels of the Triple Crown, this is definitely the most exciting to watch, as the contests are keen on getting “tubed” and the set waves spit them out at their mercy. If you intend to see these men ride one of nature’s finest spectacles, be sure to provide plenty of time to make the journey north, bring a comfortable chair, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Gadlinks for Wednesday 12.9.2009

by Brenda Yun on

While some of you were catching some sick rides on the slopes, these pro surfers were riding mountain-sized waves on the North Shore of Oahu at the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational yesterday. Either way, I hope you all had a great start to the week. We’re in the thick of it now, and here are some cool travel stories to get you through the next few days.

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

More Gadlinks here.

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surfing Invitational is going on today!

by Brenda Yun on

“The waves are going off right now.” That’s the typical phrase you’ll hear here in Hawaii. With this being the El Nino season, the waves on the north and west shores have been bigger and better than normal, and it looks like the islands will be experiencing one of the biggest days in history. Forecasters are saying some waves will have 60-foot faces. The last time the waves were this big was the winter of 1969. That was forty years ago; this is now.

If you happen to be on Oahu today, the “Eddie Aikau,” an annual big wave surfing invitational, is being held. The “Eddie,” as locals call it, is one of the few events that is held only if waves reach 25+ feet. Today’s event will be a particularly special day because the two past winters didn’t have waves that high, so the event wasn’t held. The bravest and best surfers are called on a moment’s notice and fly out to Hawaii to participate in the “Eddie.”

You might not know why this is called the “Eddie Aikau.” Eddie was a respected waterman and lifeguard who came from a Hawaiian family on the North Shore. He was elected to be a crew member for the Hokulea voyage, which was a special journey sails from Hawaii back to Polynesia, where the islands first inhabitants arrived several hundred years ago. The boat got caught in a storm several miles out to sea, but were close enough to paddle back to the islands. Eddie volunteered for the rescue mission, boarded his surfboard and paddled back solo to get help. The boat was rescued but Eddie was never found.

The “Eddie Aikau” is a special event that honors one of Hawaii’s finest watermen. The event is always held in Waimea Bay. Locals and tourists alike flock to the Bay to see brave surfers ride their 10-foot guns and paddle into giant waves. It truly is a sight to behold.

Officials called the event at around 7 a.m. today, and traffic has been backed up since 5:30 this morning. If you have the luck and privilege of seeing this event, bring a beach chair, and some binoculars. Waimea only breaks when the waves are 20+ feet and clean, and the surfers look like little rag dolls on the waves even from the closest vantage point. If you can’t make it up there, you can watch the event online HERE or watch the highlights later today at the official event website.

A word of caution: don’t get in the water! The ocean is not at all friendly for amateurs on days like these, so just sit back on the beach and enjoy the show!

The Drifter documentary now on DVD

by Grant Martin on

Drifter Trailer from Poor Specimen on Vimeo.

The Drifter film just finished it’s autumn tour around the United States and is officially making its way around the adventure and surf circuit. The film centers around the writings of legendary surfer Rob Machado and his time spent in the South China Sea, exploring, learning and well, drifting. More potently, however, the topic strikes home for any long term traveler or lover of the Pacific Island culture, and having been there myself I find the film engaging.

With what appears to be a limited tour and release, tracking the film down to see in theaters may be a bit of a challenge, but if you’re inspired enough by the trailer to order the DVD, it looks like a solid documentary.

[Via The Cleanest Line]

Photo of the Day (11-14-09)

by Jamie Rhein on

On Thanksgiving Day in 2006, Patrick Powers was at the beach in Orange County, California feeling thankful for the weather that allowed him to surf. The movement of the surfer embodies a surefooted pleasure and determination as the water arcs above his head. Very well done!

Here’s hoping your Thanksgiving brings you a sure footed pleasure whether you’re catching waves somewhere or sitting in a easy chair waiting for your food to digest.

If you have a shot to share, send it our way at Gadling’s Flickr photo pool. It might be chosen for a Photo of the Day. Powers’ photo is one of the four in our pool tagged “thankful.” It also appeared under “thanks.”