Spot check: Pipeline

Imagine a wave so powerful it's considered the most dangerous wave in the world by the surfing world. Now imagine the surfers who can't wait to jump off the lip into a tube of raging water—a veritable liquid train capable of making you a hero, sending you straight to the hospital, or worse. Pipeline isn't just a wave. It's a proving ground on Oahu's North Shore, devouring boards and egos since the first surfers dared to brave it. And yet, every winter, it roars to life, attracting ocean warriors from around the world to test their mettle against one of nature's wildest creations. Do they have a death instinct? Quite the opposite... it's a desire to live.

In the 1960s, pioneers like Phil Edwards and Butch Van Artsdalen defied the lefts and rights of Pipeline, transforming this spot, considered unsurfable, into the ultimate surfing scene. Edwards is often credited with the first documented session in 1961, but it was in the 1970s, with surfers like Gerry Lopez and Rory Russell , let the magic happen. Their fluid and elegant style makes taming Pipeline seem like child's play.

As boards evolve – from single fins to thrusters – so does the way you ride tubes. Michael and Derek Ho , Shaun Tomson , Buttons Kaluhiokalani, Johnny Boy Gomes , and other iconic figures, began pumping out hits with style, pushing boundaries and showing the way to the new generation.

But Pipeline doesn't just attract surfers. Since the 1970s, brands and sponsors have been putting their logos on everything related to this legendary spot. The very first Pipe Masters took place in 1971, an idea by Fred Hemmings , former world champion turned visionary. That year, Jeff Hakman won the inaugural title, already taming waves feared for their shallow reef and destructive power. At the time, Pipeline was less a stylish competition than a survival challenge. Gerry Lopez, crowned in 1972 and 1973, imposed a Zen-like serenity in the surrounding chaos, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Pipeline" . The event, still very roots, attracted a small crowd of enthusiasts to Ehukai Beach Park. It was not yet the global spectacle we know today, but the foundations were laid.

In the 1970s, the Pipe Masters grew in stature, fueled by the North Shore's reputation as the last bastion of wild surfing. The wave then became the ultimate benchmark for tubing. Winning at Pipeline became as prestigious as a world title. In 1983, everything changed. Hemmings, with Randy Rarick , launches the Triple Crown of Surfing , a series of three competitions: Haleiwa, Sunset, and Pipeline. The Pipe Masters becomes the grand finale, the third jewel in a seven-week marathon on what is known as the "Seven Mile Miracle." It's no longer just a wave, but a true test of endurance and versatility, with Pipeline being the crowning event.

The 90s saw the birth of a new era, that of domination. A certain  Kelly Slater won his first Pipe Masters in 1992 at just 20 years old. He then began a reign that would see him win 7 Pipeline titles by 2013. He also won the Triple Crown in 1995 and the following years. At the same time, locals like Derek Ho , who proudly wore the Hawaiian colors, also made their mark. He won the Pipe Masters and became world champion in 1993. The Pipe Masters then became the final stop on the ASP circuit (former name of the WSL), often deciding the world title. Prize money exploded, sponsors arrived – from Mountain Dew to Billabong – and TV coverage transformed the whole thing into a global event, solidifying Pipeline's place in surf culture.

The 2000s marked the dawn of the era Andy Irons . The Kauai surfer won Pipeline 4 times (2002 to 2006) and the Triple Crown 3 times (2002, 2003, 2005) , delivering legendary duels against Slater. The 2003 edition, where Irons won the world title against Slater, remains etched in everyone's memory.

The format of the Pipe Masters has evolved since then, notably with the arrival of women in the competition. The Triple Crown no longer exists, but Pipeline remains a staple of the World Surf League Tour , now as the first stop. Some believe this has changed the dynamics of the world title, reducing the impact of the ultimate tube as the final judge. Yet each winter, the now "Lexus Pipe Pro" once again transforms the North Shore into a global arena. The beaches are packed, and thousands of fans follow live streams of the 10-foot waves rolling off Second Reef. The best surfers of the moment—like John John Florence , Barron Mamiya , or even the local Moana Jones puts on a grand show, hoping to inscribe their name alongside the legends.

Most of our “Spot Check” articles give advice on the best time to surf and which board to choose. Pipeline is a different world. Let’s be honest: for experts only . If you don’t know, don’t go. But if you’re lucky enough to encounter a small swell, around 2 to 3 feet , you might want to give it a try. Beware of the very shallow reef and currents. Always check the weather forecast, talk to the lifeguards, and, as always, respect others.

That said, the best time to see or photograph Pipeline in all its glory is from October to March , sometimes as late as April. The magic happens when the swells come from the northwest . Between 6 and 12 feet , with an orientation of 300 to 320 degrees , this is generally enough to illuminate the reef without it being too chaotic. A light east or northeast wind smooths the surface and sculpts the crystalline tubes that we love so much.

Those who have spent years familiarizing themselves with this sacred wave have earned the right to surf it . They all know exactly the risks they are taking. It's a delicate dance between audacity and instinct, a path that often begins very young, from the shoulder of the wave, observing. Then one day, they move closer, catch a wave on the shoulder... then even deeper, even deeper. Until THE wave, the one that even a local "uncle" couldn't catch, comes right up to them... and he yells: "GO FOR IT!" That's when the obsession begins, and a new generation of Pipeline surfers is born.