Videos | Carve Surfing Magazine | The latest surfing videos

Sandbank Sessions

“It’d be nice to have perfect waves every day, but that’s not always going to happen.” Dave Rastovich knows that in summer, you make your own fun.

⁠ ⁠ “I love the challenge of days like these, the lack of structure and the bending of rules. Surfing those waves is what I’d imagine playing jazz would be like. The waves were chaotic and wobbly, if they had a time signature it’d be all odd numbers. It wouldn’t be four to the floor; it’d be threes and fives and sevens. It made for an interesting challenge, but occasionally it all came together and hit a note perfectly.”

He laughs, recalling time spent on a sandbank close to home putting the Hydrolock boardshort through its paces.

⁠ ⁠ "I thought I was Howard Moon, the jazz cat from The Mighty Boosh.”⁠
Video : Liam O'Brien

70s Single

Photography aficionado, shaper and wave slider James Parry rebirths a 70s classic single that was originally shaped by Kevin Cross. Throwing a modern template into the mix, from shaping to sea, follow the birth of this cosmic craft.

Epic Conditions at Billabong Pro

• WSL Champions Kelly Slater and John John Florence Put to the Test
• Upsets Shock Men’s Draw at Billabong Pro Pipeline
• More Available at WorldSurfLeague.com

Pictured: John John Florence (HAW) took the victory over rookie Jackson Backer (AUS) in Heat 12 of the Round of 32, as well as rookie Joao Chianca (BRA) in Heat 6 of the Round of 16, advancing to the Quarterfinals at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. Photo: © WSL / Bielmann

The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), saw another epic day of conditions with a building swell into eight-to-twelve foot surf at the world-famous Banzai Pipeline. The men’s field is now down to eight competitors after finishing the Round of 32 and Round of 16 with the overlapping format. Today’s competition saw no shortage of near-perfect rides, upsets, and buzzer-beaters to set the stakes for the men’s Quarterfinals. The next call will be tomorrow, Wednesday, February 2, at 7:50 a.m. HST.

WSL Champions Kelly Slater and John John Florence Put to the Test at Billabong Pro Pipeline

Round of 32 action started off in slowly building conditions and saw event wildcard Barron Mamiya (HAW) win Heat 1 against World No. 4 Conner Coffin (USA). Mamiya advanced to Round of 16 to fulfil his dream of surfing against 11-time World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), who dominated Heat 2 against rookie Jake Marshall (USA).

“I love Barron! He is a really great guy and an awesome surfer,” said Slater ahead of the matchup. “He is that kind of wildcard that you have no idea what he’s going to do out there. I think everyone recognises him as one of the guys to beat. He’d be sitting at the top 10 of people you expect to do well at Pipeline.”

Mamiya applied pressure to the seven-time Pipeline victor throughout the first heat of the Round of 16 and was able to keep the lead on the scoreboard until the final seconds when Slater was gifted a buzzer-beater wave to take the win with a 9.23 (out of a possible 10).

Slater (USA) rapidly approaching 50 and still showing the kids how it's done. Photo: © WSL / Bielmann

“There was less than twenty [seconds] when I saw that wave. That’s why we do it, that’s what it’s all about. Just having a moment like that,” continued Slater after advancing to the Quarterfinals. “I know it’s early in the contest, but Barron’s the next generation out here and it’s just a pleasure to surf against him. I was trying to process the heat. I made a few errors on waves maybe in the first half, and he really capitalised. He was sitting really deep, [taking a] really aggressive line and I was sitting where I was lining up earlier because I thought there’d be some rights that would sneak wide. I just wasn’t feeling it and then I just calmed down and thought either a wave’s going to come through or it’s not, and I’d be happy for Barron. It’s just crazy thinking back on 30 years, how many times it’s happened to me and gone my way.”

Two-time WSL Champion John John Florence (HAW) also advanced to Round of 16 with ease after winning against rookie Jackson Baker (AUS). Florence then battled Brazilian rookie Joao Chianca, who defeated event favourite Jack Robinson (AUS) in the Round of 32 and put Florence to work on improved conditions. Shortly after Florence found Pipeline magic of his own to garner a 9.77, Chianca found near-perfection in a 9.87. Florence defeated the rookie with a 1.03 point difference and advanced to the Quarterfinals, where he will face Seth Moniz (HAW).

“It was a hard heat,” said Florence. “Joao’s wave was incredible. I was in the front seat watching it, and I was just happy and not happy at the same time. We had a good heat the other day, where we both got some good scores. So I was a bit nervous facing him again because he’s been charging out here. It looks like he really knows this kind of wave. So when the waves started coming I knew he was gonna be on the good ones too.”

Upsets Shock Men’s Draw at Billabong Pro Pipeline

Besides Coffin’s and Robinson’s eliminations in the Round of 32, three other upsets shook the competition this morning. World No. 6 Griffin Colapinto (USA) lost his heat to WSL Replacement Caio Ibelli (BRA); Kolohe Andino (USA) could not overcome rookie Lucca Mesinas (PER); and Kanoa Igarashi (JPN, above) eliminated Owen Wright (AUS), a favorite in heavy barrels. Ibelli, Mesinas and Igarashi also won their Round of 16 heats and advanced to the Quarterfinals.

“I have so much respect for Owen, he is one of the best ones out there,” said Igarashi. “In days with a short lineup like today, you have to think about your competitor and keep a close eye on him to know where they are. Two feet can make a big difference when positioning yourself there.”

The swell picked up into the afternoon as the Round of 16 match-ups got underway with more surprising results. WSL Champion Italo Ferreira (BRA) faced fellow Brazilian Miguel Pupo in Heat 3 and Pupo, at the 12-minute mark, found a Pipeline gem of which he re-emerged after being deep inside the barrel to earn a 7.33 and eliminate the 2019 WSL Champion.

Rookie Samuel Pupo (BRA) followed his brother’s footsteps and also managed to eliminate a CT veteran from the competition, Jordy Smith (ZAF) in the last heat of the day.

Mesinas got to walk through the Round of 16 to the Quarterfinals as Carlos Munoz (CRI) was unable to finish the heat due to injury. Munoz dislocated his shoulder during the Round of 32 and tried to recover in time for his heat. After receiving clearance from the doctors on-site to compete, Munoz started the heat but felt his injury while in the water and had to leave the competition.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Round of 32 Results:
HEAT 1: Barron Mamiya (HAW) 10.77 DEF. Conner Coffin (USA) 8.57
HEAT 2: Kelly Slater (USA) 11.70 DEF. Jake Marshall (USA) 1.50
HEAT 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 7.67 DEF. Owen Wright (AUS) 5.63
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 9.66 DEF. Nat Young (USA) 7.33
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) 13.67 DEF. Miguel Tudela (PER) 9.60
HEAT 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.84 DEF. Connor O’Leary (AUS) 7.10
HEAT 7: Carlos Munoz (CRI) 12.37 DEF. Frederico Morais (PRT) 7.43
HEAT 8: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 12.23 DEF. Kolohe Andino (USA) 11.10
HEAT 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) 12.44 DEF. Ivan Florence (HAW) 9.50
HEAT 10: Seth Moniz (HAW) 12.00 DEF. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) 10.27
HEAT 11: Joao Chianca (BRA) 13.37 DEF. Jack Robinson (AUS) 8.33
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) 14.57 DEF. Jackson Baker (AUS) 5.40
HEAT 13: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 11.23 DEF. Griffin Colapinto (USA) 10.43
HEAT 14: Callum Robson (AUS) 10.97 DEF. Ethan Ewing (AUS) 10.00
HEAT 15: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 14.00 DEF. Deivid Silva (BRA) 5.26
HEAT 16: Jordy Smith (ZAF) 14.00 DEF. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF) 10.00

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Round of 16 Results:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) 17.23 DEF. Barron Mamiya (HAW) 15.17
HEAT 2: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) 11.70 DEF. Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) 10.50
HEAT 3: Miguel Pupo (BRA) 12.40 DEF. Italo Ferreira (BRA) 8.73
HEAT 4: Lucca Mesinas (PER) 3.07 DEF. Carlos Munoz (CRI) INJ
HEAT 5: Seth Moniz (HAW) 8.00 DEF. Filipe Toledo (BRA) 3.50
HEAT 6: John John Florence (HAW) 17.77 DEF. Joao Chianca (BRA) 16.74
HEAT 7: Caio Ibelli (BRA) 12.83 DEF. Callum Robson (AUS) 5.23
HEAT 8: Samuel Pupo (BRA) 15.16 DEF. Jordy Smith (ZAF) 8.20

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Quarterfinals Matchups:
HEAT 1: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Kanoa Igarashi (JPN)
HEAT 2: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 3: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. John John Florence (HAW)
HEAT 4: Caio Ibelli (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Round of 16 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) vs. Malia Manuel (HAW)
HEAT 2: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. India Robinson (AUS)
HEAT 3: Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) vs. Moana Jones Wong (HAW)
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) vs. Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW)
HEAT 5: Carissa Moore (HAW) vs. Bethany Hamilton (HAW)
HEAT 6: Gabriela Bryan (HAW) vs. Brisa Hennessy (CRI)
HEAT 7: Johanne Defay (FRA) vs. Molly Picklum (AUS)
HEAT 8: Lakey Peterson (USA) vs. Luana Silva (HAW)

Coachella Valley Wavegarden

Plans to build a Wavegarden Cove wave park in California´s Coachella Valley received unanimous approval from the City of Palm Desert.

This project is the first of many new Wavegardens planned for the Americas, consolidating Wavegarden´s leadership in the surf park sector. Promoters Desert Wave Ventures and Beach Street Development are behind this innovative surf resort featuring North America’s first Wavegarden Cove, a 4 Diamond hotel, villas with views of the waves, restaurants, and beach club.

DSRT Surf is slated to be the first Wavegarden Cove surf park built in the United States of America after plans were unanimously approved by the City of Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley. Wavegarden´s technology will comprise a 52-module wave generator and a fully integrated surfing lagoon.

DSRT Surf is implementing a unique “turf for surf” program to offset all surf lagoon water use by converting 20 acres of turf on the adjacent golf courses to drought tolerant landscaping. The surf program will use the same amount of water as the golf course area being removed, making it a “net zero” water consumption operation.

On top of world-class waves, the resort will also feature a 92 room hotel, 83 residential villas with water views, a beach club and spa, together with pickleball courts, a pump track, restaurants and bars.

According to the development plans, construction on the surfing lagoon will soon commence and completion is scheduled for the end of 2023.

Kelly Slater Pipeline Reality

How would you judge the line-up, respect the locals and the pecking order on one of the most challenging waves in the world? Even the most experienced surfers can struggle, super heavy waves, a hectic crowd and a helluva lot to think about, click into the pits from the link. No banging tunes, radical narrators or killer graphics, just Pipeline firing.

WSL History Made

• Hawaii Surfers Dominate Opening Rounds of Billabong Pro Pipeline
• Americans Caroline Marks and Courtney Conlogue Eliminated Early
• Bethany Hamilton Joins Billabong Pro Pipeline as WSL Wildcard
• All Rookies Through to Round of 16

The Billabong Pro Pipeline, the first stop on the World Surf League (WSL) 2022 Championship Tour (CT), witnessed history today as the women took on the jewel of Oahu’s North Shore, Banzai Pipeline, for the first time as a full CT event. The competition ran through Women’s Opening Round 1 and Elimination Round 2 and showcased standout performances, as well as saw two big names fall out of the draw.

Photos: ©WSL/Heff ©WSL/Bielmann

Hawaii Surfers Dominate Opening Rounds of Billabong Pro Pipeline

Local charger and event wildcard Moana Jones Wong (HAW, above) was one of the few surfers to keep her focus on the lefts of Banzai Pipeline and her strategy paid off as she put together a combination of two scores to narrowly beat five-time WSL Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) and Brisa Hennessy (CRI).

“I started surfing Pipe when I was 12, and I’ve been coming here consistently since I was 18,” said Wong. “Surfing against Carissa pushes me to be better because she’s the best in the world. I look up to her and I want to surf as good as she can.”

Hawaiian rookie Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW, above) dominated the final heat of Opening Round 1 with commitment at Backdoor as she took down Lakey Peterson (USA) in second place and sent World No. 6 Caroline Marks (USA) into the treacherous Elimination Round.

Heat 2 was stacked with local talent featuring Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Malia Manuel (HAW), and Gabriela Bryan (HAW), all hailing from the island of Kauai. Manuel opted to go right and was searching for a wave at Backdoor, while Weston-Webb and Bryan looked for opportunities at Pipeline. Manuel’s patience finally paid off with five minutes left on the clock when she scored an excellent 8.17 (out of a possible 10) for a deep Backdoor barrel and secured her spot in the Round of 16.

“To be honest I was super stressed, I wanted to alleviate that by catching a few waves and kind just getting the ball rolling,” said Manuel. “I’ve spent a lot of time out there this winter, it’s my first real winter here at Pipeline and I had such a good crew and great support. It’s really hard to get waves out there to practice so it doesn’t matter how much time you spend out there, sometimes it all comes down to being in the right spot.”

Australians Tyler Wright and India Robinson Walk-through To Round of 16

Two-time WSL Champion Tyler Wright (AUS) and CT rookie India Robinson (AUS) had a walk-through heat as Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) wasn’t able to compete as she entered the WSL COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols. Wright pulled the trigger first with a good tube on Backdoor for an early lead and solidified with perfect positioning on a second right-hand barrel to build momentum and confidence heading into the third round.

“The most exciting thing for me this year is seeing all the rookies,” said Wright. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had such fresh faces on the tour, and it makes me emotional just seeing how they’re coming in and making the most of it. It feels incredible to be a part of this sport and to be a woman in sport right now.”

Bethany Hamilton (HAW, above) advances to the Round of 16 of Billabong Pro Pipeline, where she will face Carissa Moore (HAW) in Heat 5 when the competition continues.

Bethany Hamilton Joins Billabong Pro Pipeline as WSL Wildcard

The first Elimination Round heat featured international surfing icon Bethany Hamilton (HAW), who got the last-minute call to replace Gilmore. Hamilton had a tough matchup with seasoned competitors Brisa Hennessy (CRI) and Caroline Marks (USA) completing the roster. Hennessy built on momentum from her previous matchup and scored a couple of nice waves to take the first position and Hamilton used her wealth of experience to advance in second, eliminating Marks from the competition.

“I’m so stoked to be here,” said Hamilton. “I’m in full mommy mode lately but trying to keep my surfing shape, so it’s amazing to have the opportunity to be here today. There is also such great energy on the beach, everybody showing love.”

All Rookies Through to Round of 16, Americans Marks and Conlogue Eliminated Early

The first heat of the Women’s Opening Round didn’t disappoint with CT rookie Molly Picklum (AUS, above) taking the win ahead of CT veterans Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) and Courtney Conlogue (USA). Fitzgibbons found a buzzer-beater to send Conlogue into the Elimination Round.

“I struggled to sleep last night because I was so excited,” said Picklum. “It feels amazing to win the first heat. Every heat is the same for me so it’s good to know that my plan worked and take the momentum through the event.”

In the day’s final heat, Heat 2 of Elimination Round 2, rookies Gabriela Bryan (HAW) and Luana Silva (HAW, above) took on Conlogue for the last two spots into the Round of 16. As the swell continued to slow down a battle ensued in smaller lefts and rights and the two Hawaiians powered their way with turns and cover-ups to eliminate the veteran Conlogue and keep their hopes alive in the year’s opening event.

“I was just trying to complete every wave that came my way,” Silva who ended up in first stated. “It’s definitely a confidence boost knowing you can beat surfers as good as Courtney, and I guess there was a bit of a cat and mouse game at the end there, I’m just happy to get through.”

Watch LIVE
The Billabong Pro Pipeline will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com, the free WSL app, and the WSL’s YouTube channel. Also, check local listings for coverage from the WSL’s broadcast partners. For fans watching in Brazil, coverage of the Billabong Pro Pipeline Quarterfinals and beyond will continue exclusively on WorldSurfLeague.com and SporTV.

For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Opening Round 1 Results:
HEAT 1: Molly Picklum (AUS) 7.73 DEF. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 4.90, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 3.76
HEAT 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 10.67 DEF. Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA) 4.40, Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 3.40
HEAT 3: Moana Jones Wong (HAW) 7.77 DEF. Carissa Moore (HAW) 7.70, Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 6.54
HEAT 4: Isabella Nichols (AUS) 5.50 DEF. Johanne Defay (FRA) 4.70, Luana Silva (HAW) 0.83
HEAT 5: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) DEF. Tyler Wright (AUS) 11.83, India Robinson (AUS) 2.94
HEAT 6: Bettylou Sakura Johnson (HAW) 7.46 DEF. Lakey Peterson (USA) 4.00, Caroline Marks (USA) 2.07

Billabong Pro Pipeline Women’s Elimination Round 2 Results:
HEAT 1: Brisa Hennessy (CRI) 10.73 DEF. Bethany Hamilton (HAW) 8.76, Caroline Marks (USA) 3.70
HEAT 2: Luana Silva (HAW) 6.77 DEF. Gabriela Bryan (HAW) 6.70, Courtney Conlogue (USA) 4.47

Billabong Pro Pipeline Men’s Round of 32 Matchups:
HEAT 1: Conner Coffin (USA) vs. Barron Mamiya (HAW)
HEAT 2: Kelly Slater (USA) vs. Jake Marshall (USA)
HEAT 3: Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) vs. Owen Wright (AUS)
HEAT 4: Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) vs. Nat Young (USA)
HEAT 5: Italo Ferreira (BRA) vs. Miguel Tudela (PER)
HEAT 6: Miguel Pupo (BRA) vs. Connor O'Leary (AUS)
HEAT 7: Frederico Morais (PRT) vs. Carlos Munoz (CRI)
HEAT 8: Kolohe Andino (USA) vs. Lucca Mesinas (PER)
HEAT 9: Filipe Toledo (BRA) vs. Ivan Florence (HAW)
HEAT 10: Seth Moniz (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW)
HEAT 11: Jack Robinson (AUS) vs. Joao Chianca (BRA)
HEAT 12: John John Florence (HAW) vs. Jackson Baker (AUS)
HEAT 13: Griffin Colapinto (USA) vs. Caio Ibelli (BRA)
HEAT 14: Ethan Ewing (AUS) vs. Callum Robson (AUS)
HEAT 15: Deivid Silva (BRA) vs. Samuel Pupo (BRA)
HEAT 16: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Matthew McGillivray (ZAF)