The chance to watch the Billabong Pipe Masters action from the beach on the North Shore of Oahu is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The climax of the competitive surfing year runs from Dec. 8-20, and while the event is webcast live, to watch it with the sand between your toes is one of sports’ great spectator experiences. Here’s why.
It’s free

In fact, they don’t cost anything at all. This might be elite sports’ only free event. Simply rock up to the beach (even the parking is free), grab a patch of sand and watch surfing’s greatest show for nothin’.
You bring your own seat

You’ll feel the earth shake

However, Pipeline is unique in that some of the biggest, most powerful and dangerous waves in the world break only a very short distance from shore. Even when waves reach a monstrous 25 feet high, they break on the same slab of reef, only 50 yards from the safe, warm sand on the beach.
Just to be that close to those extraordinary waves is an incredible experience. To watch the surfers ride them in person is a unique opportunity.
It’s a six-horse race

This year, though, for the first time in history, six surfers go into the event with a chance of winning. Three Australians (Mick Fanning, Julian Wilson and Owen Wright) and three Brazilians (Adriano de Souza, Filipe Toledo and Gabriel Medina) are in contention, meaning 2015 could be one of the tightest and most dramatic climaxes in decades.
The vibe is full-on

“I remember thinking at the time, all those years ago, that at Pipe we have these absolutely perfect uncrowded waves, but that all we needed is girls on the beach,” Rory Russell, the 1976 and 1977 Pipe Masters champion, told GrindTV. “Then, at last year’s finals day at Pipe, I saw more butt than I could ever imagine. I was like, ‘If this was 45 years ago, I would be in heaven.’
“I’ll tell ya, like the surfboards at Pipe, the bikinis have gotten smaller too.”
The after-party is epic

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