ASL-oha! Swell Drops And Sore Heads

Words: Mark Rosenberg

Video: Sam Norwood

Reckon Jack Freestone's scared about being given a wildcard to surf at Pipe tomorrow? Nah.

The swell has dropped off to three foot on the North Shore but is set to build again overnight. There are some sore heads on the North Shore this morning, and not all from the Surfer Poll, with rumours that a drop-in at Pipeline yesterday apparently ended in a brawl in one of the teams houses last night. Who says localism is dead?

Channel Islands Surfboards just put this photo of Jamie O'Brien dropping in on Kelly Slater at Pipe ... but we're not saying this incident caused the bust up we're talking about. It's crowded out there at Pipe. Photo: John Salanoa

Dane Reynolds will meet Hawaiian Jamie O’Brien in round one of competition at the Pipe Masters and summed up his feelings about the contest at last night’s Surfer Poll. “I just saw the draw, and the swell forecast…Jamie please have mercy on my soul.”

Reynolds' acceptance speech for second place in the Surfer Poll was the highlight, however a well-lubricated Nathan Fletcher nearly stole the show. Unsurprisingly Kelly Slater and Carissa Moore took the top spots in the male and female divisions, with ASL fave Owen Wright coming third. After the show most surfers quickly exited Turtle Bay in anticipation for today’s waves leaving Laura Enever, Coco Ho and their entourage to take over the d-floor.

And the forecasts for big waves on the first couple of days of the Pipe Masters haven't died down. Only a few hours away now and they are still predicting double to triple overhead! It's going to be a true test out there for all the wildcards, and top 34. No wonder they're all fussing over their quivers and board selections - they're going to need a lot of spares.

Heading down to Rockies...

Where there are a few waves on offer.

Meanwhile down the beach Pipe is trying to do it's thing.

Another angle from CI Surfboards of the JOB/Kelly drop-in.

What do you reckon - from these couple of photos did Jamie O'Brien just not see Slater, or was he reminding him who's a local? Or like they say in Formula One, this was "just a surfing incident" and should be forgotten?

And this is what Kelly is riding over in Hawaii...

Left to right: 5’5″ x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/4″ Wizard Sleeve 4 channel
5’6″ x 18 5/8″ x 2 1/4″ MTF Altered
5’9″ x 18 1/4″ x 2 1/4″ Semi Pro epoxy
5’11″ x 18 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ Deep Six
5’11″ x 18 3/8″ 2 1/4″ Semi Pro step up
6’5″ x 18 1/4″ s 2 1/4″ Semi Pro step up. Photo: CI Surfboards.

Nice backsides!

And here's a better look at Kelly's magical Wizard Sleeve. Hmmm ... it's certainly much better looking than what Borat was talking about.

And this is what Taj is rocking on the North Shore:

Photo thanks to Firewire and Transworld.

And Brett Simpson's well sorted...

Photo: Dragon Alliance.

Malia Manuel shows her goods ... and aren't they pretty. Photo: O'Neill.

A couple of days ago ASL caught up with big barrel charger Lee Wilson to find out what boards he brought to the North Shore.

For all the ASLoha action, presented by Oakley check out the Hawaii 2011 page daily.