If anyone would know how to pop up at Pipe its Koa. Photo: Koa Smith // YouTube
Oahu’s Banzai Pipeline is arguably surfing’s greatest stage. Many a legend has been born on that particular stretch of the seven mile miracle, and it’s been long been argued to be the ultimate proving ground for competitive surfing.
Koa Smith is no stranger to the pitfalls and idiosyncracies of Pipe. The Kauaian surfer has made a career out of hunting the world’s most critical barrels (for evidence, look no further than the 2014 video at Skeleton Bay that broke Koa out into the mainstream), and knows how to drop into and lock in on some quite frankly terrifying waves.
However, for his latest video, Koa takes a bit of a back seat to some of Pipe’s other chargers. The post to his YouTube is a supercut of surfers’ pop ups at the world’s deadliest wave. It’s a murderers row of talent, from internet regulars like Jamie O’Brien, Mason Ho and Nathan Florence, to contest weapons like (recent Teahupo’o winner) Italo Ferreira and Carissa Moore.
“Have you ever wondered how professional surfers pop up at the deadliest wave in the world?” writes Smith in the description, “Watch and learn as the world’s best surfers take on Pipeline and pop up in slow motion! Pay close attention to the different styles and techniques of each surfer and what they do from their paddle in, getting to their feet, and making the drop! Then get out there and apply these skills you learned into your next surf session and discover your true potential!”
