JOB and the Pipeliner

Riding a 1970's era single fin Lightning Bolt board shaped by Gerry Lopez himself, Jamie O'Brien navigates a steep nuggety Backdoor wave to land on the January issue cover of Freesurf Magazine.

Collector Boards Limited Series at 14 oz. (Berlin)

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Gerry at Pipe Sequence and words.

The drop at the Pipeline is even more intense than the tube ride that might come afterwards if everything goes right. The right attitude is the first necessity of a successful takeoff. Without a great degree of confidence even the most skillful may fall victim to the specter of the Pipeline’s reputation long before they even begin to paddle for a wave. Wave selection is, of course, another huge variable that comes into play because there are waves on any given day that are simply not meant to be ridden.

The surfers who are familiar with the break know when to get out of the way and just let those waves pass by. Positioning and timing are critical in just about any endeavor in life and more greatly magnified when trying to line up and catch a good wave at the Pipe. This photo is interesting for a number of reasons.

The drop looks in good shape, my edge is set, my foot placement good, my eyes looking at what’s up ahead. The wave in front masks the entire lower portion of the wave so its difficult to tell exactly how big the wave is but from the position of the two guys caught inside and paddling for their lives, it is definitely a set wave.

The one guy looks like he has made it over okay but is probably getting a look at the wave behind that might be bigger, in which case, the terrifying moments that comes from being here are not over. The other guy, depending on how hard he is paddling and it looks like he had a good head of steam if his wake behind is any indication, is right at that critical point where he either will penetrate the lip or he won’t.

 I would have to say his degree of terror is even greater than his friend’s and there will be some heavy, weightless moments [nice oxymoron…] before his fate is decided. If he makes it through, there will be the next wave to deal with. If he doesn’t make it ….. well, looking at the straight line of the top of this wave means its a long wall of a very powerful Pipe wave as opposed to a more peak type wave. If the guy gets sucked back over the falls, it won’t be pretty. But these are some of the risks anyone who paddles out at the Pipeline expects to encounter so while they may hope for the best, its always prudent to plan for the worst … just in case. 

-Gerry

Via: The Lost and Found Collection - Share the Aloha

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Hawaii, surf highlights

Alexandre Ferreira on his first time surfing Pipeline ready to face the bomb.
There is an isolated island in the middle of nowhere, far from everything else, but always glowing in every surfer’s imaginary. This island has even a more special meaning for Lightning Bolt, since it was here that our story began, under the Pipeline Masters’ guidance, almost 40 years ago.
Nicolas Pinot, our french sales rep was the other hero of the day. 
Lightning Bolt’s affirmation today is still inseparable from this island and that was why, last January, our renewed BOLT TEAM set its horizons to the place where it all started, but also to one of the most blessed places for the surf practise – Hawaii.
Pedro Soares, the portuguese team rider, also tasting the Pipeline drops for the first time
And Hawaii played the game and welcomed us with first-class waves, during one of the best winter seasons of the last years.
Txaber Trojaola, the spanish rider flying in Haleiwa
Again Alexandre Ferreira, now on a perfect barrel ride in Pipeline
Jeremy “Gege” Brasset on a beautiful turn in Haleiwa
Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann not only shaped with Rory Russell.
 
David Raimundo on a very accented bottom turn in Pipeline.
It was a surf trip full of memories and emotions, definitely the most special one for those who love Lightning Bolt like we do.
More photos on our Flickr photo gallery. Just click here

Surftrip in Hawaii – the official video – Part II

Today we present you the second part of the video in Hawaii, featuring the european team riders surfing the North Shore.
Team Riders: Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira, David Raimundo,Jeremy Brasset, Jord Fortmann, Nicolas Pinot, Pedro Soares, Txaber Trojaola.
Where: Pipeline, Haleiwa, Puena Point

Txaber Trojaola, our basque team rider was also there and tells us a bit more about Haleiwa:
This was your first surf trip with Lightning Bolt. What kind of expectations did you have?
Everything was new for me so I really had no expectations. I just wanted to get to know the rest of the team better, surf with them as a team, have fun, catch good waves, good vibes and hopefully some good photos too.
But this was not your first time in Hawaii?
It was my third visit to Hawaii, but I’d never interacted so closely with the Hawaiian community like we did this time! I also had the chance to surf new spots – even some secret spots.
You surfed in Haleiwa a couple of days, why?
We went there a few times because it had smaller crowd so we could have more relaxed, fun and laidback sessions. The waves were not as big and there was less competition than at Pipeline.
How are the waves in Haleiwa in comparison to the classic spots of Pipeline and Sunset?
It’s a different wave, completely different. It’s a very powerful right, with a strong swell, but surprisingly manoeuvrable and once in a while you get a tube.
With what kind of wind and swell conditions works better there?
With no wind or south wind and north swell. It needs a big swell to work.
You’ve surfed Pipeline, Sunset and other spots. Which one suits you best?
I love Sunset and I think Pipeline could also be a good wave for me, but I need to know it better and get more confident there. Usually, there’s a big crowd of people who’ve been surfing there their entire lives, which can be intimidating if you don’t feel 100% prepared.
Did the locals give you a hard time?
I never got into any trouble there, but the competition for waves is always tough and everyone’s position is made pretty clear. I like being relaxed in the water, waiting for my moment and for my wave. That’s why there’s nothing like surfing just with friends…
The Bolt Team was a true European melting pot. How was it to be together with surfers from Portugal, France and Holland?
It was great – everyone is so nice and it was really fun to spend time with them in and out the water.

Surftrip in Hawaii – the official video – Part I

The Bolt europe team adventure surfing the North Shore
Team Riders: Alexandre "Xaninho" Ferreira, David Raimundo,Jeremy Brasset, Jord Fortmann, Nicolas Pinot, Pedro Soares, Txaber Trojaola.
Where: Pipeline, Haleiwa, Puena Point.
Also some making of moments of our Spring Summer 10 lookbook, featuring our gorgeous models Dominique Fletcher and Brooke.

Alexandre “Xaninho” Ferreira made some big barrels in Pipeline, but it was his first time there. We asked him about his experience:

You were especially anxious about surfing the mythic Pipeline wave. How did you feel when you got there?
I was very happy to be able to fulfil another dream. As a surfer, this meant a lot to me. Pipeline is an amazing wave… even the bravest shiver when looking at it. In fact, I studied the wave during three days, because it was so big that I knew I could not afford making any mistakes.

Not many surf Pipeline for the first time when it’s 4mts high. What was on your mind when you went in? Were you afraid?
Yes, I knew once I went in there was no coming back without surfing, but the waves were so beautiful… The forecast was 10 to 12’, the tubes were perfect, there was no wind and there were about 20 surfers in the water. I had to go in! So I was focussed on two things: riding a tube and praying not to die.

A couple of minutes after going in, you came out scoring one of the biggest waves of the day. How was it?
After listening to many piece of advice and to the incredible stories of our local mentors, Rory Russell and Jonathan Paskowitz, I knew I had to be “away from the pack”, and that meant being to be as far-off as I could on the outside or on the waves’ edges. And the leftovers were not for me, so I positioned myself as close to the peak as possible and, as a true gift, my first wave was a dream.

What about the crowd here? Is it the nightmare we read everywhere?
Yes, there’s a lot of crowd since it’s a global destination and it’s on the itinerary of every surfer, for being one of the best. Nevertheless, January was a good time of the year to be there, after the season’s competitive stress.

Which surfboards did you take with you? Did you make the right choice?
I think I made the most reasonable decision by taking 2 small surfboards with me and buying the others there, which are quite different.

Now that you know what it takes to be a Pipeline Master, which are necessary ingredients to be one?
To be a Pipeline master you have to be physically very well prepared and you have to respect the sea. The rest is up to the wave. Pipe takes care of you.

You realise that the idea of respecting the ocean carries a greater dimension here. Were you more careful about sea conditions than usual?
Absolutely! It was very important for me to spend a couple of days evaluating the sea conditions. Without that kind of knowledge, I would have been in real trouble.

When are you thinking of going back to the North Shore?
I hope to be there by the time that Pipeline Masters begins in December and for the WQS events in the beginning of January.

Hawaii – Return to the source – First Surf

The first day of surf in Pipeline was great with 10-12 feet, but from that you’ll only see photos later. We leave you now with a smaller session in Pipeline, Sunset and Haleiwa.

 Small day in Pipe, but Alexandre Ferreira aka “Mad Xano” got to experience the tube feeling.

 
Txaber Trojaola, our basque rider trying to find way to get in the tube.




Mad Xano dropping in.


Joshua Paskowitz at work in Pipe.

 
Right after coming Indonesia, Pedro Soares didn’t stop and ruled Sunset Beach


Haleiwa pre-session: Left to Right: David Raimundo, Jord Fortman on the wax and the Super model Nicolas Pinot.
 
 
Gege Brasset on his first day at Haleiwa.

 
Jord “Fart”mann on his way to start in Haleiwa

Hawaii-Return to the Source-First Day

Finally we had time to post the first day photos. As the waves are so good, we still didn’t have time to spend in the internet. Soon, the first surf shots. Today, the team is surfing at Sunset Beach that is 15-20 feet.
THE CREW Left to right clockwise: Nicolas Pinot, Joshua Paskowitz, Paulo Couto, Kara Smith, Dominique, Jord Fortmann, Gege Brasset, Txaber Trojaola, David Raimundo, Dustin Franks, Alexandre “MadXano” Ferreira.
THE HOUSE
 THE PARTY
 Left to right clockwise: Margarida, Maria João, Nicolas Pinot, Paulo Machado, Jonathan Paskowitz, Dustin Franks, Nick Walker, Kara, Eric

FIRST SPOT-HYKILAY
 
SECOND SPOT-PIPELINE
 

ALOHA NORTH SHORE, here we gooo

If Hawaii didn’t exist, for sure Surf wouldn’t be the same. That’s where everything started and that’s the place where surf is as powerful as a religion. But also, if Hawaii didn’t exist, Lightning Bolt, as we know it today, would be only a mirage. That’s where it all started in 1971 with Gerry Lopez and Jack Shipley.

And now the great news:

To start the year onfire, our European riders are meeting the USA team in Hawaii to surf the North Shore during two weeks, but also to shoot the Spring Summer 10 Catalogue.

The European Crew includes the new team riders, Txaber Trojaola (Spain), Jeremy Brasset (France), Jord Fortmann (Holland), and also the Portuguese David Raimundo, Pedro Soares and Alexandre Ferreira.

We are meeting the Pipeline Master Rory Russell, the USA brand manager Jonathan Paskowitz, the surfer and songwriter Dustin Franks and the new Hawaiian team riders.

Regarding the models, the girls, well.., we’re not going to open the book now. If you want to know who are the beautiful babes wearing our new beachwear, you must stay tuned here, as we will post some photos and videos during the trip.

If Tangaroa, Neptune and Poseidon help, we can promise you amazing surf, beautiful action shots, some great parties and lots of fun.

To check it for yourself, visit our blog between the 6^th and the 18^th of January.

ALOHA

Unsung - Rory Russell

Rory Russell, two time Pipeline Master talks about the Lessons he learned, challenging himself against the Unrelenting Perfection of the "Pipeline". A Story of discovery and adventure through the Golden Era of Modern Surfing. Rory Shares his Secret to a Life of Inspiration, From a Pure Source...
Watch it here bigger

Lightning Bolt Vintage Image Gallery

Thanks to our hero, Rory Russell, we managed to achieve a great set of rare images from Lightning Bolt in its beginning, when the legend was in the peak.
The old magazine ads, the magazine covers, the surftrip pics, lots of amazing action shots in Pipeline, Uluwatu, Haleiwa, Padang Padang, Morocco, and some other treasures are now compiled in our Flickr page.
If you really want to understand the history of surfing, namely in Hawaii, this is a must to.

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