This week marks another edition of the iconic Pipe Masters, a contest that has been running annually at the Banzai Pipeline for over five decades. Though its history spans 53 years, the event has recently been reshaped, with a new division of contests: the Vans Pipe Masters, an invitation-only event, and the Lexus Pipe Pro, which will launch the 2025 Championship Tour. The split has sparked controversy, as long-time Pipe legends were excluded from the invite list and concerns were raised about the event’s status as a “season opener.” The division has raised questions about the future of the Pipe Masters title, a distinction that has long been one of surfing’s most coveted prizes.
While the present may be clouded in uncertainty, one thing remains clear: the legacy of the wave itself and the historical significance of the Pipe Masters title is indisputable. For many, it is the most revered contest in the sport’s history. However, the origins of this storied event are less widely known. Let’s take a step back to the beginning of the Pipe Masters—an event that almost never came to fruition.
The First Contest: December 16, 1971
On December 16, 1971, Fred Hemmings set up a modest table near the public access to the Banzai Pipeline. He had convinced ABC Television to film the event as part of their coverage of the Smirnoff World Cup, which Hemmings had orchestrated the previous year in Santa Cruz. With a $1,000 sponsorship from Continental Airlines for prize money, Hemmings assembled a panel of judges, gathered six top surfers—each known for their skills at Pipeline—and blew the horn to signal the first-ever Pipe Masters contest.
Initially named the “Hawaiian Masters,” the event was a small-scale affair featuring a motley crew of six surfers. While the conditions at Pipeline had been lackluster throughout the winter, Hemmings pushed forward with the competition. Randy Rarick, who helped Hemmings create the Professional Surfing Association, recalls that not everyone even made it to the contest due to poor surf conditions. The reigning Pipeline king, Gerry Lopez, who was expected to participate, skipped the event after hearing rumors of its cancellation.
A Lineup of Legends
The invitees for the first contest were an impressive group of surfers. Along with Lopez, Hemmings had invited three local heavyweights: Jock Sutherland, a seasoned Pipeline rider; Jeff Hakman, a prodigy who had won the Duke Kahanamoku contest at just 15; and Billy Hamilton, a respected figure in Hawaiian surfing. The other invitees included Jimmy Blears, a future World Amateur Champion, and Corky Carroll, a three-time US National Champion.
But when Lopez failed to show up for the opening heat, Hemmings needed a replacement. Mike Armstrong, another talented Pipeline surfer, was brought in to fill the gap. Some key figures, such as Jeff Crawford and Rory Russell, were notably absent from the first contest—though, in the end, the competitors who did show up were nothing short of legends.
A Missed Opportunity: The Myth of Lopez’s Absence
There has long been speculation that Lopez missed the first contest due to a misinformation campaign led by Corky Carroll, who allegedly tricked him into thinking the event had been postponed. However, Lopez himself has debunked that myth, explaining that the conditions at Pipeline were unfavorable, and neither he nor Carroll expected the event to run. Lopez later learned that the contest had taken place and that Jeff Hakman had won.
Despite Lopez’s absence, Hakman went on to dominate the first contest and claim victory. Lopez would later make his mark on the event, winning the Pipe Masters in both 1973 and 1974, cementing his place as one of the most iconic figures in surfing history.
The Future of the Pipe Masters Legacy
As the Pipe Masters now operates outside of the World Surf League (WSL) World Tour and with Vans taking the reins of the invitational event, questions arise about its future. The winner of this year’s contest will no longer be considered part of the WSL’s championship history, prompting debates over the legitimacy of the event and the future of the Pipe Masters title.
While these changes may spark controversy, the rich legacy of the contest remains intact. The event’s legacy will endure, regardless of the evolving structure of professional surfing. As Fred Hemmings reflects, “History is defined by those who write it, but it will be remembered by those who lived it.” Hemmings, for his part, can be proud of his entrepreneurial spirit, which gave birth to one of the most influential events in surfing history.
Though the first Pipe Masters contest was a modest beginning, its impact was undeniable. Jim Kempton, who missed the inaugural event but championed the Pro Tour at SURFER magazine, recalls the early resistance to contests and the struggles to make professional surfing viable. The Pipe Masters, now a celebrated tradition, is a testament to the vision and persistence of Hemmings and the surfers who shaped it. The legacy of the contest—and the title of Pipe Master—remains a symbol of excellence in the sport, no matter the twists and turns the event may take in the years to come.
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