Kieren Perrow Wins Pipe Masters 2011
Kieren Perrow wins the Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons over fellow Aussie Joel Parkinson in four-to-six foot waves. John John Florence also found his way to the podium as the overall winner of the 2011 Vans Triple Crown. In a contest filled with all the drama and action you could ask for, the last surf contest of the year was one for the history books as the best surfers in the world battled it out on the North Shore of Oahu. Kieren said, “It’s so good to get back here. I just felt so comfortable the whole time. I’ve had such a great event anyway and coming in to today, it was just amazing. The waves have been phenomenal. I haven’t surfed Pipe like that in my entire career. This is pretty much the pinnacle for me.”
John John Florence of Oahu continued to assert himself with the world’s best surfers riding the only perfect 10 of the day to advance into the quarterfinals. Unfortunately, he slipped up against his heat against 11-time world champ Kelly Slater and was knocked out of the contest. Kelly said, “I’m just trying to hold John John (Florence) at bay because he’s going to rule Pipe for the next 20 years. I just want to get a couple before I’m done. He’s been the man to beat out here. He’s had two 10s and a couple of high 9’s.”
But Florence, who won the Vans World Cup of Surfing last week, still scored more points than any other surfer in the three North Shore contests that make up the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. John John put on an amazing show, making him the youngest competitor in history to win the prestigious series. “I’m so stoked to be here, I’ve been surfing these waves my entire life and watching everyone over the years,” Florence said. “I’m so happy that I won this and to have my name with everyone else who has won over the years.”
Finals:
1 – Kieren Perrow (AUS) 13.17
2 – Joel Parkinson (AUS) 7.00
Semifinals:
Joel Parkinson (AUS) 17.23 def. Kelly Slater (USA) 16.83
Kieren Perrow (AUS) 12.00 def. Michel Bourez (PYF) 4.07
Surfer Poll Awards 2011
Surfer magazine honored the Top 10 men and Top 5 women (voted by fans) as well as Movie of the Year, Best Barrel, and other top performances of 2011.
In the Men’s category, Kelly Slater took home his 17th No. 1 award. Following Kelly was Dane Reynolds, Owen Wright, Julian Wilson, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith, Andy Irons, and Bruce Irons.
On the Women’s side Carissa Moore took the No. 1 spot. Rounding out the rest of the top five was Coco Ho, Stephanie Gilmore, Alana Blanchard, and Sally Fitzgibbons.
2011 SURFER Poll Results
Top 10 Men
1. Kelly Slater
2. Dane Reynolds
3. Owen Wright
4. Julian Wilson
5. Taj Burrow
6. Mick Fanning
7. Joel Parkinson
8. Jordy Smith
9. Andy Irons
10. Bruce Irons
Top 5 Women
1. Carissa Moore
2. Coco Ho
3. Stephanie Gilmore
4. Alana Blanchard
5. Sally Fitzgibbons
Andy Irons Breakthrough Performer – John John Florence
Movie of the Year – Year Zero
Best Documentary – Splinters
Best Cinematography – Come Hell or High Water
Best Performance – Josh Kerr, for Kerrazy Kronicles
Heavy Water – Nathan Fletcher, for Teahupoo Uncut, Get-N-Classic, Rumors
Best Barrel – Alex Gray, for Teahupoo Uncut
Worst Wipeout – Rodrigo Koxa, for Teahupoo Uncut
Best Digital Short – Lost Interest
The Eddie Opening Ceremony 2011
The opening ceremony for the Eddie Aikau surfing contest marks the beginning of the holding period for the world’s most prestigious big-wave invitational surfing event. About 50 big wave surfers formed a circle in the water and paid tribute to legendary 1960s and ‘70s Hawaiian surfer and North Shore lifeguard Eddie Aikau. The invitation-only one-day professional contest is held when waves at Waimea Bay are seriously big. Wave heights must exceed a minimum 20-foot threshold.
It’s a rare international sporting event that can have no set date, be held just eight times in a span of 27 years, and still gain strength. But the lifeblood of the big wave Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau lies in what one man’s life represented: the best that surfing and Hawaii have to offer the world. The story of Eddie Aikau, a Hawaiian hero who saved and inspired lives as Waimea Bay’s resident lifeguard and big wave charger, continues to touch generations. Hawaiian kahu (priest) Billy Mitchell said, “Eddie had a passion. He had a passion about living and loving the ocean. Whether you surf or you don’t surf, you are drawn to people like Eddie in life. People with big mana (spirit). We have to remember, and we cannot forget, someone who lived this way. Eddie never left people behind. It was his way. We need that in this life, especially now. It’s a way to surf; it’s a way to live.”
The holding period for the Quiksilver In Memory of Eddie Aikau starts December 1st, and runs through to February 29, 2012. The defending champion is California’s Greg Long. Past champions are Denton Miyamura (Hawaii), Keone Downing (Hawaii), Clyde Aikau (Hawaii), Noah Johnson (Hawaii), Ross Clarke-Jones (Australia), Kelly Slater (USA), and Bruce Irons (Hawaii).
John Florence Wins World Cup Of Surfing 2011
Hawaii’s John John Florence, who surfed in his first Triple Crown event at age 12, realized his childhood dream by winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach. In the final, Florence led a spectacular tube-riding battle in perfect 10-foot surf against Michel Bourez (Tahiti, 2nd), Adam Melling (Australia, 3rd), and Hank Gaskell (Maui, 4th). His two-wave heat total of 17 points (9.5, 7.5) eclipsed the field. Sunset turned on like a giant wave machine, pumping out a succession of rides that saw every finalist get barreled. But Florence’s performance was astounding as he seemingly picked off waves at will with every one of them offering an impossible amount of tube time.
John John placed fifth two weeks ago at Haleiwa, and takes the lead on the coveted Vans Triple Crown. The Billabong Pipe Masters will get underway on December 8. “This is my first 6 star Prime win, it’s at home, it’s one of my home breaks and all my family and friends are here, so it’s one of the best moments of my life, for sure. It means everything. I’ve watched these guys since I was so little growing up here and coming to events when I was six years old, getting their autographs. I’m having fun, I surf for a living and that’s a dream in itself.”
Florence, who joined the World Tour for the first time just a few months ago, is a favorite at his home break at the next contest, the Billabong Pipe Masters. He’s already won two contests at the Pipeline this year, and probably knows the break as well as (or better) than most of the best surfers in the world. “I can’t wait for Pipe,” he said. “If I won that, I don’t even know what I’d say.”
Finals:
1st – John John Florence (HAW) 17.00 pts
2nd – Michel Bourez (PYF) 12.30 pts
3rd – Adam Melling (AUS) 11.96 pts
4th – Hank Gaskell (HAW) 11.53 pts
