As winter approaches, the best surfers in the world prepare for another season of powerful waves and on the North Shore on Oahu.
Big names like Hawaii’s own John John Florence and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater will be traveling to the famous North Shore of Oahu to compete in some of the most prestigious events in surfing culture.
Late October marks the beginning of the major competitive season with the HIC Pro at Sunset Beach which is scheduled from Oct. 27-Nov.10.
North Shore local, Mason Ho will defend his tittle against both local rippers as well as world tour competitors.
The next contest scheduled for Nov 12-23, the Reef Hawaiian Pro will be held at Haleiwa Beach Park.
Last year’s Champion was World Tour competitor Michel Bourez, who is originally from the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.
The Vans World Cup of surfing also known as the Triple Crown of surfing will be happening simultaneously as the winner is announced after the three biggest events on the North Shore, beginning with the HIC Pro and ending with the Billabong Pipeline Masters.
Hawaiians have had a good run at the Triple Crown with local boy Ezekiel Lau taking home the title last year and Kauai local and world tour competitor Sebastian Zeits the year before.
The peak of the North Shore surfing season is scheduled for Dec.8-20 with the legendary Billabong Pipe Masters, which is a 6-star, World Championship Tour Event will held at Bonzai, Pipeline.
20-year-old Brazilian, Gabriel Medina is currently in first place in the rankings and hopes to become the first from his country to obtain the coveted World Champion title.
Expect the highest standard of modern day surfing as the defending Pipeline master Kelly Slater takes to the water against rest of the world’s best. Including North Shore local John John Florence who just had his second career victory on tour winning the Quicksilver Pro in France and defending World Champion Mick Fanning who is coming off a win in the Moche Rip Curl Pro in Portugal.
The Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational hopes to crown its 9th champion as the holding period begins in December and runs until the end of February.
The waves are required to be at least 20 feet and the contest has not been put on since 2009 when San Clemente local, Greg Long won.
For the women, Nov 22- Dec 6 will mark the last contest for the women’s world tour as they head to Maui for stop number 10 on tour, the Target Maui Pro.
Australian Stephanie Gilmore will be defending her title against the likes of the reigning world tour champion, Hawaii’s own Carissa Moore and current tour front-runner, fellow Australian Sally Fitzgibbons.
It is predicted that this winter in Hawaii should be average with some above-average potential for extra large swell because of El Nino during December and January.
Event List
HIC Pro-Sunset Beach, October 27-November 10
Reef Hawaiian Pro- Haleiwa Beach Park,November 12-23
Vans World Cup-Pipeline, November 24-December 06
Billabong Pipe Masters-Pipeline, December 8-20
The Eddie Aikau Invitational at Waimea Bay, December 1 2014-February 28 2015 official window for event to be held.