Search

show me:

Small conditions put Pipe Masters on pause

3 minute read

The World Surf League's season-opening Pipe Masters won't be run on Friday or Saturday as officials wait for a bigger swell to hit Hawaii's North Shore.

TYLER WRIGHT of Australia celebrates after winning gold in the Girls Under 18 division final during the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships at Piha Beach in Auckland, New Zealand.
TYLER WRIGHT of Australia celebrates after winning gold in the Girls Under 18 division final during the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships at Piha Beach in Auckland, New Zealand. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

A lack of swell has stalled action at the World Surf League's season-opening Pipe Masters in Hawaii for the next two days.

Flat conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday at Banzai Pipeline, with organisers confident a swell on the horizon will fire up the famed break beyond that.

Five Australians, including former Pipe champion Julian Wilson, finished last in their heats on day one and are waiting to surf in the second-round knockout phase.

But compatriots Jack Freestone and tour rookie Jack Robinson were both impressive in their heat wins, while Connor O'Leary and Morgan Cibilic also progressed directly to the round of 32 thanks to second-place heat finishes.

It comes as the finale of the women's Maui Pro remains clouded after a fatal shark attack near their competition venue on Wednesday.

A recreational surfer was attacked just hours before the last quarter-final was due to be surfed at Honolua Bay, while Australians Tyler Wright and Sally Fitzgibbons had already reached the final four.

Officials had signalled their intention to relocate the event to another Hawaiian break on Thursday, hours before the death of the shark attack victim was confirmed.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au