Previewing Pipeline, the WSL’s Deadliest Wave (Video)

So, there’s more time to prepare. And Pipe, more than others on Tour, plays a main character role in the story that is the Lexus Pipe Pro. Why? Well, here’s a handful of competitors and pundits:

“Pipeline is definitely one of the most iconic waves on the World Tour. There are serious consequences at this wave, and people have died out there. But then, people’s whole careers have been made on just a single wave out here.” – Felicity Palmeteer (WSL Analyst)

“It’s kind of like the red carpet of surfing. This is where you wanna show and strut your stuff. The greats of this sport have put on performances out here. To be able to perform here, to hold your own, to get the results here…I think it solidifies that you’re one of the best – Carissa Moore (5x world champ)

“There’s a saying: ‘You don’t know unless you go.’ The reality of any wave with a reef underneath it, your risk of hitting the reef is very high.” – Strider Wasilewski (WSL Analyst)

“You hit that reef, you’re in trouble. There’s just big stones like that, that’re sticking out.” – Seth Moniz

“People are lying if they say they’re not scared out there. I’ll be the first to admit it; I definitely am. But I think that’s what makes it such a great challenge – if you can know how to navigate that fear, you can have a really good outcome at this event.” – Lakey Peterson

“Pipeline is like the World Tour’s colloseum. Everything is right there…the intensity, the action is a hundred yard from the people on the beach. It’s just an intense wave, and it all happens really quick in five-to-10 seconds.” – Kelly Slater (11x world champ)

And what’s the forecast looking like? Per the WSL:

“A tricky forecast to decipher could hold some days of dreamy Pipe to kick off the 2025 World Title race. Wednesday holds improved winds with 5-7' faces honing in on Backdoor to push the world's best over its shallow reef. The long-range forecast entails some of the best days toward the middle of the window, February 3 - 5, but the men and women stay ready for the call to kick off the 2025 season.”

Stay tuned.