CHRIS WARD FINISHES RUNNER UP AT 2013 PIPE PRO
He’s done it again. Another stellar performance, another Pipe final and another runner-up finish. What a road to that final though. Chris surfed everything from 8-12 foot perfect Pipeline on day two, taking huge drops and pushing his bottom turn to pocket snaps into the barrel as hard as anyone ever at Pipe. Then on the final day he pumped and weaved his way through tight and tricky Backdoor tubes. Switching between his traditional round pin step-up and a 5’9 quad shortboard he borrowed from Shane Beschen he was the only surfer to beat eventual winner John John Florence in their round of 32 heat. This isn’t the first time Chris has done well at Pipe on a board he borrowed from Shane Beschen. In 2007 he re-qualified and made the semi-finals on another borrowed quad from Shane and in 2008 he made the final against Kelly Slater on Shane’s board again. Like Michael Ho says, “He’s got a knack for Pipeline”. See photo and videos below.
Photo: surfline.com/klein
Ward is tight squeeze on Beschen’s board. Photo: surfline.com/klein
Kolohe Andino made it to the semi-finals where he lost a close heat to Ward after a heavy paddle battle. Photo: surfline.com/klein
Ward back on his tradition step up. Photo: volcompipepro
All smiles after a few barrels. Photo: volcompipepro
Not so happy after Kahea Hart dropped in on him. Photo: volcompipepro
Chris’ daughter Malia has been a constant source of support for him this winter. Photo: transworldsurf.com/bielmann
Kolohe getting experience at Pipe and earning his best result out there to date. Photo: volcompipepro
Spending a lot of hours in the line up at Backdoor this year paid dividends to Kolohe with a semi-final finish. Photo: volcompipepro
Mason Ho pulled in but couldn’t find the exit in the first heat of the day. Photo: volcompipepro
Brasilian Jesse Mendes had a solid quater-final showing riding his Mayhem shaped board. Photo: volcompipepro