Surfing

Behind the « Scene » at Pipeline Masters

Seymour Ferguson

2013-12-17 17:46:36

This is Kelly Slater, prepping before going on to win. He is a freak of nature and ended up winning the Pipe Masters. Good on ya Kelly, you deserved to win.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This was pipeline on one of the down days. I stopped counting after a few dozen people. Navigating the lineup is the hardest part, and the fact that the contestants only have 2 people in the water at a time is one of the highest honours of competing here.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is a flock of girls waiting to take Joel Parkinson's photo as he gets out of the surf. He's married, but nobody really seemed to care.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This guy was dressed all polynesian and blessing the surfers as they paddled out. I think he was mostly harmless but I didn't want to take any chances and only took a photo as he was walking by. What can I say, I'm a wuss.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

um. You can put your own caption together.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is former Pipe Masters champion Bede Durbidge holding his ear after bailing hard. It's surprising that this was the only major injury on one of the world's most powerful waves on the shallowest of reefs. These guys have balls of steel. Turns out his eardrum was ruptured.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is Taj Burrow after losing his heat by the narrowest of margins. He is most certainly not stoked.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is a rainbow. No necessary explanation, everybody knows what a goddamn rainbow is.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This was the happiest chicken on the island, which ultimately lead to a few disgruntled garbagemen after he made a mess with the trash. But the locals dont give a F$%*

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is the VIP viewing area. I was hoping for a cheese plate or something but they just had Clif bars and Vitamin water. On second thought, maybe this is why I lost my press pass. Oh well.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is inside the broadcast booth. Minutes after taking this photo I had my press pass removed. Meh. You win some, you lose some.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is Gerry Lopez's old house, now owned by Volcom and colloquially known as "The Volcom House". What happens at Volcom House...

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This was the crane cam which provided cutaway shots of the crowd, and closeups of some beautiful bikini bottoms. The detail of the stitching was unreal.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This was the Kamehameha Highway during one of the early contest days. On the final day I talked to someone who sat in traffic for 3 hours. I'm so glad that my broke ass could not afford a rental car and I opted for a pushbike.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This was one stoked grom. I mean, just look at that hair!

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is the broadcast tent where the announcers will call the contest to a worldwide audience of 10 million. We will get a closer look inside when it's put up. But only for a second.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is but one corner of one room of one of the two Vans houses. There are all kinds of boards for all types of days. It's like being at a kid at a candy store, except you'd get your ass kicked for taking any of said candy.

Behind the "Scene" at Pipeline Masters

This is Randy Rarrick. He is the founder of the Triple Crown, one of the most prestigious titles in the sport. The entire surf industry owes a lot to this man who just retired, passing on the torch to a new generation.