Window Nears for 10th Annual Volcom Pipe Pro

The World Surf League Men’s Qualifying Series returns to the world-renowned Pipeline Jan. 29 to Feb. 10, 2019 for the 10th annual Volcom Pipe Pro QS 3,000. The event includes 144 competitors on hand to vie for the prestigious event title and valuable points toward their 2019 Championship Tour qualification campaign.

Defending Volcom Pipe Pro event champion Josh Moniz (HAW) is back to protect his title in 2019 against some Pipeline extraordinary surfers. CREDIT: © WSL / Keoki Saguibo

Josh Moniz of Hawaiʻi leads the lineup as defending champion, taking on some of Pipeline’s most notable chargers including two-time Pipe Pro runner-up Jamie O’Brien (HAW), Mason Ho (HAW), 18-year-old standout Barron Mamiya (HAW), former event winner Soli Bailey (AUS), and former CT competitor Dusty Payne (HAW).

Moniz competes alongside his younger brother, and 2019 CT rookie, Seth.

“It’s pretty crazy to be coming into this year at the Volcom Pipe Pro as the defending champion,” Josh Moniz told WSL.  “Coming into events at Pipe I don’t really look at it as an event I’m trying to win like a normal contest. I just try to get as many waves as I can and to just have fun. I would love to go back to back, but I’m just trying to get as barreled as I can before heading out for a full QS year. All the history of the sport that’s happened at this wave is what makes this event so special. After watching Seth (Moniz) smash the QS last year and qualify, I can’t wait to try and get there myself.”

Following a horrific wipeout at Backdoor last year, former CT competitor Payne returns to Pipeline once more after a tough go at the 2018 Pipe Invitational. The Maui native looks to start his year off in the right direction with a full QS season awaiting him.

“I’m really excited to get going this year with Sunset and then the Volcom Pipe Pro,” Payne told WSL. “I feel like I’ve had enough time away from competition and I’m ready to go. After surfing in the Invitational, it was challenging but I’m looking forward to this one. I’m just happy to be healthy and my goal this year is to give myself a fighting chance at qualifying at the end of the season.”

Hawaiʻi/ Tahiti Nui Tour Manager Marty Thomas will be on the calls each morning to work with competitors and ensure competition is run in the best conditions during the 12-day waiting period.

“The North Pacific has been very active this winter surf season providing swell after swell,” Thomas said in an event announcement. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on the forecast as we near the start of the waiting period, and if the current trend continues we should have some great waves for this year’s Volcom Pipe Pro.”

In addition to consistently delivering some of the best barrels and most historic heats on the tour, the Volcom Pipe Pro is one of the most popular and most watched events. Nearly three-quarters of a million people tuned in for the 2018 live webcast.

This elite event is also Deep Blue-certified, a certification that sets the standard for sustainability and minimizing environmental impact. In 2016, it was recognized by the WSL as the season’s cleanest, most “Ocean Friendly” event.  Organizers say that for 2019, Volcom’s commitment to sustainability goes even further to make the Volcom Pipe Pro the most progressive event in professional surfing.

“We are so excited to once again host the Volcom Pipe Pro in 2019. There have been so many historic moments from events past that we aim to exceed in the future,” said Volcom’s VP of Surf Brad Dougherty in an event announcement. “Our goal is to produce a world-class event while continually pushing our sustainability efforts. Pipeline is one of the most prolific waves in the world and we are honored to be part of such an amazing contest.”

The 2018 Volcom Pipe Pro will run on the four biggest and best days of surf within the holding period, determined by contest officials, and will be broadcast LIVE via worldsurfleague.com, the WSL app and volcom.com/pipepro.