Pipeline in June? Unicorn Swell Hits North Shore (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 6:21 PM ET

This past winter season on the North Shore was one for the books. Swell after swell slammed the Seven Mile Miracle, particularly in February, with Pipeline going off for weeks on end.

It was a seemingly never-ending swell bender back then, with Jamie O’Brien calling it: “The best swell forecast I’ve seen in 10-to-15 years living here at Pipeline. That is real talk.” And he should know.

Now, with summer looming, one would think that the waves would slow down, as they typically do this time of year on the North Shore. But not quite yet. At the start of June, a freak swell popped up at Pipeline and JOB was there, once again, to score this unicorn, nearly-summer day of waves.

“Pipeline is absolutely pumping right now,” JOB opens his vlog, scanning the surf from his beachfront balcony. “It’s June 1st right now; it’s basically summer. It’s like trying to break on second reef. That’s incredible for this time of year. What if this thing broke on second reef? That would be, like, the first time I’ve seen it happen at this time of year in years. For June, it’s pumping. Pipe is going off.”

Maybe it’s not exactly second reef Pipeline, nor is it maxing out. But still, overhead barrels just weeks away from the official kickoff to summer – that’s a rare occurrence for the North Shore. Could it be a sign of climate change? Perchance. Regardless, JOB was pleasantly surprised:

“I don’t even know what to say, like, how excited I was to surf Pipeline in June. The waves are as good as waves get. If you go anywhere around the world right now and surf waves…I’m just so lost for words right now, I’m not making any sense. One of the better barrels I’ve got in June.”

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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