[ News and Events ]
10 December 07
NORTH SHORE, BRAH
On assignment at the Pipe Masters, Oahu, Hawaii
General
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Recently arrived on the North Shore of Oahu to check out the Pipe Masters and the final appearance of one Mark Occhilupo at the tail end of a long and illustrious career. Pretty amazing that the guy won the Pipe Masters back in 1985 as a teenager at his first attempt, and here he is 22 years later, still competing in the same event. There will no doubt be a few wildcards for Occy in the years ahead, but this will be his final appearance as a full-time touring pro. There will be an outpouring of emotion at his eventual farewell, whenever that might transpire over the next 12 days, the like of which pro surfing has rarely seen. It's hard to imagine a tour without Occ.
Surf is small and kinda light side/onshore today, the dreaded kona winds, and no competition. Nice dinner two nights ago to commemorate 25 years of the Triple Crown here, and a well-earned tribute to its director Randy Rarick. A good portion of past Triple Crown champs were in attendance, including Tom Carroll, Derek and Michael Ho, Michael Romelse and Myles Padaca. Notable absences included Slater, Sunny Garcia and Andy Irons. Swell forecast is looking a bit iffy for the contest window, with winds improving but only small to medium NW swell and plenty of sand still clogging the Pipe reef.