The Volcom Pipe Pro is a solid barometer of who’s who in competitive surfing’s very near future. Why? Well, for one, every year the contest attracts current ‘CTers, and legends that just want to surf Pipe with only a few other guys out. Up and comers could easily draw Kelly, John John, Bruce Irons, Jamie O’Brien, or Adriano de Souza in a heat. Add to that the general stressors of surfing Pipeline normally, and you end up with a scenario that ain’t for the faint of heart. And for those who navigate the mine field well, it’s clear they’re ready for the big leagues.
Griffin Colapinto and Seth Moniz launched calculated assaults on the North Shore this year, Griffin making the final of the Pipe Pro, and Seth making the quarters and being awarded the Todd Chesser Hard Charger award. When you consider that Seth came out on top of a round 2 heat stacked with Kelly Slater and Bruce Irons, and Griffin made a semis heat where he drew John John, the achievements are all the more impressive.
Edit: Jacob Vanderwork
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