North Shore's uprising talent was on hand today as Wyatt McHale, 15, proved his place in the lineup at the Volcom Pipe Pro, a highly-anticipated World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event. As the youngest competitor in the 112-man field, McHale shook up the competition by scoring an 8.50, the best wave ridden in the main event, and edged one step closer to a solid finish in the prestigious competition on hallowed ground.
McHale went against fellow young guns Noah Beschen (North Shore) and Kelson Lau (Maui), and Honolulu mainstay Gregg Nakamura in the second heat of the day. He scored the gem of a wave toward the end of the 25 minutes, which set the day's bar for barrels."I got lucky, I wasn't even in the priority order but I was kind of far down towards Off The Wall and it just swung wide and I got it and I made the barrel, threw my hands up and made sure the judges saw me, I was stoked," said McHale.
McHale stayed shaded during this 8.50 ride. - WSL / Tony Heff
The junior plans to compete in all regional events for 2017 and has high hopes of qualifying for the Vans Triple Crown in November. But for now, he's just enjoying his first run at the Volcom Pipe Pro surfing amid some of the world's best, including current World Champion John John Florence (HAW) and 11x World Champion and defending event winner Kelly Slater (USA).
"It's cool going up against some of the heavier veterans being the youngest one in this event," McHale continued. "But I just really wanted to get a barrel and get a couple good waves, that's kind of my game plan."
Domination of a Backdoor beast by Newton. - WSL / Tony Heff
Tyler Newton, 26, from Kauai's North Shore, turned heads after he scored a 9.0 in the Volcom Last Chance Qualifiers heat, which saw him advance into Round 2 of the main event. The 45-minute surf off featured eight notables including Dave Wassel, Tom Dosland, Kawai Lindo, Mark Healey, Derek Ho, Barron Mamiya, and Reef McIntosh and awarded the win to the surfer with the single best wave.
"I'm super stoked, I was actually just super stoked to be able to surf in the Last Chance heat in general, but to make it is really an honor," said Newton. "And it was an honor to surf with all those guys out there, so stoked."
Newton tucks into the barrel of the day. - WSL / Tony Heff
Newton was a standout from the start and went head to head with Pipeline youngster and recent winner of the Sunset Pro Junior Barron Mamiya (HAW), who charged equally hard and tackled the waves, wipeouts and barrels with confidence.
Wassel added to the excitement by pulling into multiple closeout waves, but it was hard for any of the other competitors to come close to advancing past Newton's 9-point ride.
Mamiya showed total commitment during the stacked 8-man heat. - WSL / Freesurf/Keoki
"I've been watching it all day and I was kind of aiming at the Quiksilver house, straight out in front of it," continued Newton as he relived the excellent wave. "I just stuck to my game plan and it came through right in the spot, and I was stoked… I just try to read the ocean and be in tune and I felt like it was working. It doesn't work out always, but waves just kept coming to me and I'm super stoked about it. I'm just happy."
15-Year-Old Wyatt McHale Dominates Opening Day of Volcom Pipe Pro
WSL
North Shore's uprising talent was on hand today as Wyatt McHale, 15, proved his place in the lineup at the Volcom Pipe Pro, a highly-anticipated World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 3,000 event. As the youngest competitor in the 112-man field, McHale shook up the competition by scoring an 8.50, the best wave ridden in the main event, and edged one step closer to a solid finish in the prestigious competition on hallowed ground.
McHale went against fellow young guns Noah Beschen (North Shore) and Kelson Lau (Maui), and Honolulu mainstay Gregg Nakamura in the second heat of the day. He scored the gem of a wave toward the end of the 25 minutes, which set the day's bar for barrels."I got lucky, I wasn't even in the priority order but I was kind of far down towards Off The Wall and it just swung wide and I got it and I made the barrel, threw my hands up and made sure the judges saw me, I was stoked," said McHale.
The junior plans to compete in all regional events for 2017 and has high hopes of qualifying for the Vans Triple Crown in November. But for now, he's just enjoying his first run at the Volcom Pipe Pro surfing amid some of the world's best, including current World Champion John John Florence (HAW) and 11x World Champion and defending event winner Kelly Slater (USA).
"It's cool going up against some of the heavier veterans being the youngest one in this event," McHale continued. "But I just really wanted to get a barrel and get a couple good waves, that's kind of my game plan."
Tyler Newton, 26, from Kauai's North Shore, turned heads after he scored a 9.0 in the Volcom Last Chance Qualifiers heat, which saw him advance into Round 2 of the main event. The 45-minute surf off featured eight notables including Dave Wassel, Tom Dosland, Kawai Lindo, Mark Healey, Derek Ho, Barron Mamiya, and Reef McIntosh and awarded the win to the surfer with the single best wave.
"I'm super stoked, I was actually just super stoked to be able to surf in the Last Chance heat in general, but to make it is really an honor," said Newton. "And it was an honor to surf with all those guys out there, so stoked."
Newton was a standout from the start and went head to head with Pipeline youngster and recent winner of the Sunset Pro Junior Barron Mamiya (HAW), who charged equally hard and tackled the waves, wipeouts and barrels with confidence.
Wassel added to the excitement by pulling into multiple closeout waves, but it was hard for any of the other competitors to come close to advancing past Newton's 9-point ride.
"I've been watching it all day and I was kind of aiming at the Quiksilver house, straight out in front of it," continued Newton as he relived the excellent wave. "I just stuck to my game plan and it came through right in the spot, and I was stoked… I just try to read the ocean and be in tune and I felt like it was working. It doesn't work out always, but waves just kept coming to me and I'm super stoked about it. I'm just happy."
Wyatt McHale
World No. 3 advanced through Round 3, but Barron Mamiya stole the show.
the North Shore's surf season has arrived
Sunset dished out beastly surf and saw top names eliminated alongside fresh standouts
Keala Tomoda-Bannert and Eli Hanneman stormed the event while Gabi Bryan and Barron Mamiya earned the Regional Pro Junior Champ title
The HYSDO Pro Junior at Turtle Bay Resort wrapped the regional Pro Junior series
Volcom Pipe Pro
Feast your eyes on a collection of stunning still images from a playful week at Pipe.
Pipe and Backdoor delivered for the 8th annual event, serving up perfect 10's, cavernous barrels and wipeouts galore.
O campeão mundial Adriano de Souza quase festeja sua segunda vitória no templo sagrado do esporte no Havaí.
Watch the finals day highlights as Australian underdog Soli Bailey surfs to victory.
An international showdown made for an all-time Final.