How Surfers Get Paid, Episode 2
Free For All: Glad You Scored
The Electric Acid Surfboard Test With Mick Fanning, Episode 1
Not All Small Wave Surfboards Are Created Equal
Who Makes The Best Surfboards In The World?
FERAL x Stab Bring You The Short Arm Of (Y)Our Dreams
A vigorous shake of the Banzai tree.
Spoiler alert: There are major format changes that should make this the most exciting and innovative Pipe Masters contest model since its inception in 1971.
This year, we’ll see an invite-only, WSL-sanctioned contest, meaning World Tour surfers can surf in the event — however, their Vans Pipe Masters results will not factor into the CT or CS rankings.
The WSL’s Pipe Pro event will run later in Hawaii’s winter season, per the 2023 CT schedule.
Here’s everything you need to know.
This year, Stab partnered with Vans to reimagine the way Pipe is surfed in competition. In the past, Pipe has been all about tube-riding, largely to the exclusion of everything else. With the new Pipe Masters format, surfers will be incentivized to look at Pipeline in a new light, testing what’s possible not just in the tube, but also on the face and above the lip at the world’s deadliest wave.
That is not to say folks will be shying away from Second Reef cathedrals. Rather, they will be equally rewarded for eying up Pipe’s inner ledge and launching above the horizon like Nate Fletcher in 2020, or driving their rail through 10,000 sq. liters of Pacific juice like Tom Carroll in 1991.
On top of increasing entertainment value and expediting surfing’s progression, this could lead to a big change in the type of equipment used at Pipeline, as surfers will be attempting massive airs and turns on waves that would’ve been unthinkable only a decade ago.
Prize money is the same across the Men and Women’s divisions:
In case it’s not already clear, the event will be hard to miss. You’ll be able to watch the live action and more at VansPipeMasters.com, Stabmag.com, YouTube, and a variety of other channels. Keep an eye out for more Vans Pipe Masters coming between now and the event on Stab.
For more information, head to VansPipeMasters.com and check back Thursday, October 6th, for the first episode of the Vans Pipe Masters Pre-Show.
Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.
Already a member? Sign In
Want to join? Sign Up
Tyler Warren starts a petition to stop the spread.
Scoring out of the gate, Mick eliminates one board and sends another to the final.
Our survey says 36% of surfers are goofs. Let's compare that to winning percentages on…
And the final 2 shapers for the 2022 EAST, with Mick Fanning.
We asked. Thousands of people answered. Here are the results.
A vigorous shake of the Banzai tree.
The art of surf commentary with Paul Evans.
Are we sure these guys will get along?
A stream of surf consciousness amidst a drought.
A balanced take on where we're at now, and where we could be heading.
Dane Reynolds and co. were hiding a bunch of A-clips. You can find them, here.
The days of decadence: Featuring private jets, seaplanes, bidding wars, and million-dollar deals.
Six surfers twin, but only one wins.
How a 19 year old freesurfer from Newy found himself eating lobster with the greatest…
Cozy like your favorite hoody, light and limber like a leotard
Kelly bolts from Tahiti to join Dorian, Machado, Knox and Williams for a bout in…