King Kelly, 43
Wednesday 3 February 2016 Ou ballie Kelly Slater belied his years, which are 43 by the way, to beat three world-class Pipe specialists at the Volcom Pipeline Pro – JOB, Bruce Irons and Makai McNamara –in gaping 12 foot barrels.
How old? Hard to believe that Kelly Slater is 43 years old. Photo WSL / Volcom / Morrissey
Slater took the win early this morning ZA time after a day of standing ovation performances that many are calling the best of 2016 - if not the best for some years.
The 30-minute Final got started with two low scoring albeit immense waves from O’Brien and Irons, then McNamara, more than half Kelly's age at 20, answered with the second highest wave of the heat, an 8.67 to take an early lead. Slater took a quick second on his first ride, a 7.83.
Halfway through the heat, the 11-time World Champ nailed the win with a backup score of an 8.73, while the other competitors fought hard for runner up position.
Long live the king: Kelly Slater last won the event two years ago. Photo WSL / Volcom
“I’m stoked, it’s been a while. Between drinks, as they say in Australia,” laughed Slater. “Two years since I won an event, and it was this one. I feel good, it’s obviously a great way to start the year off, it just flowed. Got big waves, got some nice barrels, had some high scores. But what a day! Perfect southeast trades and big bombing surf.”
Runner Up O’Brien scored a 4.27 for a long left, finally finding a barrel in the second section of the wave, and backed up the mediocre score with a 5.67 for an inside Backdoor tube. The combined heat total of 9.94 secured a second place finish for the Pipeline Master.
The first perfect ten of the day – and the third of the event – O’Brien routed an ultra deep backside barrel to claim the Electric 10-point ride award for $1,000. Calm and cool, O’Brien was in complete control while navigating a high line, eventually bursting out of the tube after the spit.
Nerves of iron: Bruce Irons took 4th and a specialty award. Photo WSL / Volcom / Morrissey
“I had about 11 minutes to go,” started O’Brien. “I saw the wave, I had the priority, I tried to set myself up in the best spot I could. Generally in heats you don’t like to be too deep, but that was my predicament in that one … I still didn’t think I was going to make it and I just kind of held on and it just started spitting, spit me out like a cannon. I was just stoked, I just claimed it so hard, but it’s just a good feeling you know. I heard the beach roar, then I heard them start dropping tens and thought, ‘that was a good one to claim.’”
McNamara also secured a ten-point ride and $1,000 from Electric for one of the biggest, most perfect Pipeline waves of the event. The young charger was an absolute standout throughout the competition and was nipping on the heels of his competitors during the Final.
“It was the best day of my life for sure,” said the North Shore native. “I can’t even explain it I’m so tired right now and just so worn out from today. So many memories went down I can’t even remember all that happened… a few wipeouts
Blue Streak: Zeke Lau fell short in the Round of 32 for equal 17th. Photo WSL / Volcom / Bielmann
Irons was presented with the Todd Chesser Hard Charger Award for demonstrating sheer determination throughout the Volcom Pipe Pro. Jeannie Chesser, Todd’s mom, handed out the award and the two embraced in a moment of gratitude.
“I was not expecting that,” said Irons. “It means a lot you know just because I grew up looking up to Todd Chesser. I knew Todd, I was young but he was always Todd Chesser, he’s always the guy. I’d sit on the beach watching and Todd would be going on the biggest rights. Every time I’m out there I’m always thinking about the Todd Chesser waves. And I love Jeannie, it’s a real honor to have this award. It’s right up there, it’s nice, I’m happy.”
Volcom Pipe Pro Official Results
Shown in order of 1st through 4th. Surfers from Hawaii unless otherwise noted.
1st – Kelly Slater (USA) $16,000 and 3000 pts
2nd – Jamie O’Brien (HAW) $10,000 and 2250 pts
3rd – Makai McNamara (HAW) $4,750 and 1680 pts
4th – Bruce Irons (HAW) $4,250 and 1580 pts
Todd Chesser Hard Charger Award – Bruce Irons
Semifinal – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=5th place, 4th=7th place
SF1: Kelly Slater (USA), Bruce Irons, Marco Giorgi (URY), Joan Duru (FRA)
SF2: Jamie O’Brien, Makai McNamara, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Dusty Payne
Quarterfinals – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=9th place, 4th=13th place
QF1: Bruce Irons, Marco Giorgi (URY), Jack Robinson (AUS), Dimitri Ouvre (BLM)
QF2: Kelly Slater (USA), Joan Duru (FRA), Chris Ward (USA), Torrey Meister
QF3: Makai McNamara, Dusty Payne, John John Florence, Eala Stewart
QF4: Jamie O’Brien, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Mason Ho, Soli Bailey (AUS)
Round of 32 – 1st and 2nd advance, 3rd=17th place, 4th=25th place
H1: Marco Giorgi (URY), Joan Duru (FRA) Koa Smith, Griffin Colapinto (USA)
H2: Bruce irons, Torrey Meister, Brent Dorrington (AUS), Kiron Jabour
H3: Kelly Slater (USA), Jack Robinson (AUS), Ezekiel Lau, Takayuki Wakita
H4: Chris Ward (USA), Dimitri Ouvre (BLM), Sebastian Zietz, Nathan Yeomans (USA)
H5: John John Florence, Soli Bailey (AUS), Ian Gouveia (BRA), Aritz Aranburu (ESP)
H6: Eala Stewart, Tom Whitaker (AUS), Nic Von Rupp (PRT), Shun Murakami (JPN)
H7: Jamie O’Brien, Dusty Payne, Mitch Coleborn (AUS), Tanner Hendrickson
H8: Mason Ho, Makai McNamara, Wiggolly Dantas (BRA), Billy Kemper