The 2024 Lexus Pipe Pro will (probably) go down in history.
It was a groundbreaking event, particularly on Finals Day, in women’s surfing. From Molly Picklum’s semifinal perfect 10 point ride, to 18-year-old Caity Simmers’ win and resounding, viral post-heat statement: “Pipeline is for the fucking girls!”
Indeed it is. But it wasn’t always that way. Pipeline was predominantly a boy’s club, aside from a few female chargers throughout the decades. The wave was presumed too strong, too gnarly for the women. After the Pipe Pro, however, everything changed…
Surfer, style-master, and WSL filmer Leah Dawson beautifully summed up the gravity of this historic day in women’s surfing. In a lengthy Instagram post, Dawson mused:
“The girls needed the opportunity, the space to actually catch waves without a crowded growl. And with that opportunity, they showed up, big time. The girls’ performance on Saturday proved everyone wrong who chose to perpetuate the disillusion of ‘… isn’t for girls’, myself humbly and regretfully included. Exacerbate that sentiment to all of us girls who went along with the story that big pipe is too gnarly for women, now wishing we hadn’t believed them.
“No it’s not too gnarly, it’s just highly difficult, takes time, experience, and a hellouva lot of courage and dedication.
“Years ago when the triple crown was canceled for the women’s tour, I heard from different males in the industry that women’s surfing was dead and no one wanted to watch the women.
Related: Video: ‘The Greatest Heat in Women’s Surf History’ Just Went Down at Pipeline
“It took me a while to not believe them as I continued to film the best men in the world at pipe. The women uninvited.
“Saturday, I filmed that contest with chicken skin, crying inside, my blood a bit pissed off that I had listened to the naysayers all this time. I wish @rochelleballard and her generation got this opportunity. I wish I got to see @rissmoore10 go left and right on that reef more. But for whatever timing the universe needed, the new generation has stepped up to the challenge and opportunity to set the record straight in the best way. @moana.17 started the roll, and showed that yes, it’s so possible for a girl to get the wave of the winter at pipe.
“Then @caitysimmers , @picklummolly , @bettylou.sakura.johnson continued the dismantling of the stigma on Saturday by putting on stellar performances that rivaled the mens and voila
“No one can ever say that Pipeline isn’t for girls ever again. “
True that.
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