Recapping a historic weekend at the Billabong Pro Pipeline

The Billabong Pro Pipeline is the most notorious event in all of surfing, but this year’s event may have made history.

When most people think of surfing they think of Hawaii and not just Hawaii, but Pipeline. Banzai Pipeline, also known as part of the “seven-mile miracle” is one of the most pristine and dangerous stretches of wave in the world. Normally this reef break event is the conclusion of the World Surf Leauge Championship Tour, but since the volatile landscape of the world and sports in general, the Pipeline event is now will now kick off the tour. The 2022 CT tour has just begun in Oahu and it was one for the history books.

As mentioned, the Billabong Pro Pipeline is usually the end stop for the championship tour men’s division. The women were usually found on Maui for their culmination at the Maui Pro presented by Roxy. However, after much fighting, the ladies have earned their way into Pipe. This isn’t the first time women have surfed Pipe, it is just the first time a CT event for the women was scheduled and held at this famed North Shore location.

The 2022 Billabong Pro Pipeline made history for more than one reason

For years the women of surfing have been fighting for the opportunity to compete alongside their male counterparts at Pipeline. This year marks the 20 year anniversary of the cult classic Blue Crush, in which the characters of the film are fighting to get equal representation for women at Pipe. One star of that movie, big wave legend Keala Kennelly took to Instagram to express her feelings now that her, and the other pioneers of women’s surfing, dream has come true.

Leading the way for the ladies was 22-year-old Moana Jones Wong who was entered into the contest as a wildcard. She is a North Shore native who has been known to bring her youth and style to Pipeline on a daily basis. She took out reigning CT champion Carissa Moore in the final heat to capture the win. Among the women who took this historic opportunity to showcase their skills were, Lakey Peterson, Tyler Wright, Brisa Hennessy, Johanne Defay, Malia Manuel, and wild card Bethany Hamilton.

On the men’s side, history was made in a different way. Forty-nine-year-old Kelly Slater proved that age is just a number as he ran through his competition and won his eighth CT event win at Pipeline. Slater has been toying with the idea of retirement lately, and after not making the 2020 summer Olympics and finishing 18th in 2021, many thought that could have been the end for Slater. Boy did he prove them wrong. Salter came out against some surfers half his age and put up a near-perfect score of 18.77 (out of a possible 20) in the last heat. He was faced against local surfer Seth Moniz in the final but he was no match for the GOAT.

“I don’t even know what to say,” said Slater to WSL. “I was out there just telling myself to be in the moment, no matter how much tension there is. Just breathe. So I was just breathing, being in the moment. I thought Seth (Moniz) broke the combo because of the crowd and I said, ‘Just stay in the moment, soak it up.’ But I just savored this and this is the best win of my life.”

It was truly a historic outing on the beach at Pipeline but the thing is, this is just the kickoff to a year-long tour. Keep posted to FanSided for more updates throughout the season and see who will bring home the CT championship at the end of the year. 2022 CT tour season is about to be crazy.