In the winters of 1979, ‘80, ‘81 and ‘82 I was blessed to be able to live on the N. Shore for a few months on my way back stateside from months in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. I loved surfing the N. Shore. I got squashed into reefs and bottom at Pipeline on a number of occasions. Never fun. Got stuffed into one of those holes in the reef once and that was freaky. I also impacted the bottom at Log Cabins, Daystar, Mokoluea, Tracks, Boneyards at Sunset Beach (luckily never was ground up on Val’s Reef at Sunset) and even hit the sand between the big coral outcrops at Makaha on one very large day. I was concerned that my kook cord would get wrapped around a coral head. It didn’t and I popped up. I even hit the reef once at Kahuku (AKA Golf Course) on a day that closed out the shore. Because I have 20/400 vision I tended to paddle into waves the Hawaiians were paddling away from. I just couldn’t see well enough to tell that the wave was going to close out for 100 yards and crush me. I just went for it. It wasn’t all wipeouts. Got some epic rides.
Damm Iain, I didnt realise how coarse the reef at pipe is and I love your new flippers, I'm definitely thinking of copping some. I also didnt realise how shallow pipe is, it's insane how people like you have the bravery to paddle in huge conditions. Keep up the great work Iain your videos are just masterpieces themselves.🤙🌊
Crazy reef. If u get traped on one of these huge cracks in a wipe out...man that is serious trouble...actually looks similar to el Confital, but with bigger holes. Great clip keep enjoying champ!
Surfed pipe on a ‘small’ day many years back. Easy paddle out but the shallowness of the inside is insane. Duckdiving and your knuckles hit the reef and your head is still just above water. Crowds, reef, takeoff and the pace of the wave…everything is intense.
Loving your content! Finally a vid that shows the reef in detail, instead of 5 seconds between surf shots!! Beautiful and insane at the same time! Awesome and thank you!
Nice video mate! views of the reef are beautiful. A wipeout there on a an average day can be tricky and on big day must be horrible. I m always surprise how many people charge there.
The bigger days seem to have a bit more water on the reef than the smaller days. In saying that it is a very difficult and tricky place but the waves are insane!
@@iaincampbell_ Yes. When I saw the pipe event live, makua rothman said that in smaller days the reef is more dangerous.. And what about the power of the waves? I surf on the Atlantic Ocean in sand waves. Is a big difference? I would try pipe with bodyboard on an average day but the reef seems so scary. How do you prepare for surfing reef waves?
@@3diabolos I've been surfing there for the last 9 years. it isn't just get in and forget about it. I am very careful about what I do and when I go in. I know what the risk is and make sure I am safe and confident.
Looks like my local spot, just with all dead coral. 😢 Shallow too. Got cut hands from duckdiving atm. Reefs are sharp, knee carved up a bit from paddling out and bumping against the reef. Nothing's better than sponging an almost dry reef break.
Use spit! It’s as good but you have to do it pretty often. The technique is to spin on the lens and rub it with your tongue and then just dunk it once underwater.
This is the reason why I dislike the fact that pipeline is labeled a reef break. It's not a reef break. Pipeline is a slab. A reef is alive. What you're seeing here has absolutely no life aside from certain animals that use its caves and crevasses as sanctuaries. I was stunned by this the first time that I ever went and surfed pipe. What is underneath the water at pipe is as you can see course and porous concrete. I'd absolutely want nothing to do with fire coral but aside from that I'd rather land on Coral than land on this. Pipe doesn't just cut you up and sand you down but it also is like being hit by a car at times. It's like trying to clear a 10 stair and then just eating s*** abruptly.
I’m looking to avoid reunion until the situation calms down a bit. Not saying there aren’t dangerous reefs in other places but pipeline has had the most fatalities due to head injury.
If you got really smashed down to the bottom & your foot , leg or any part of your body got stuck in a reef " hole"... what are the chances of survival....& also how many surfers have actually died at Pipeline ?..... I would imagine quite a few ....after seeing the bottom reef.....
I cannot wait to surf pipeline. What fun. A giant wave that weighs more than a million tons slams you into the coral that does not do anything but carve you into a million pieces. What could be more fun than a day at the beach.
I believe you man because I know you’d know better but always hard to believe Pipeline is more dangerous than Teahupoʻo. Is it truly? Is firing pipe more dangerous than firing Teahupoʻo?
I don’t think the danger is more or less at either. Just don’t think there are as many fatal injuries in other parts of the world like there are at pipe.
I still have my original Churchills! I’m 50 and they’re 30yrs old and still supple rubber:) unlike me;) Ps… just invested in your Sniper Theory board!!
About to step up my board game , I already broke two Beginner ones it’s time to get a better board also I use the og hydros I’m thinking of trying the Churchills too
