All time Pipeline sessions from the classic 1978 North Shore season featuring Gerry Lopez. Also putting in solid performances were Rory Russell, Jackie Dunn, Shaun Tomson, Rabbit Bartholomew, Jeff Crawford, Owl Chapman and more
Gerry Lopez is widely known as the most graceful tube-rider in the history of pro surfing. Watching Lopez is to witness his pure reverence for the wave – his fluid acceptance of its shape, speed and thrust. Through him, you could actually see the movement of the wave more clearly. He didn’t try to dominate the wave. He allowed the wave to ride through him.
Born in Honolulu 1948, Gerry began surfing at the age of 9, and won the Junior Hawaiian State Championships in 1966. He was a three-time finalist in the state titles (1968, 1969, and 1972), and a finalist in the U.S. Championships in 1969 and 1970. In the 1970s, Lopez’ masterful handling of the merciless Banzai Pipeline earned him the nickname “Mr. Pipeline.” And in 1972 and 1973, Lopez won two back-to-back Pipeline Master contests.