SURFING SOAPBOX: Pipeline Pro starts Sunday

Hold onto your seats, because the first big event of the 2008 ASP (Assn. of Surfing Professionals) will be this weekend at the famous Banzai pipeline. The “Pipeline Pro” is set to begin this Sunday, highlighted by none other than former three-time world champion Andy Irons. Irons is rumored to be refocused and fit after falling to No. 6 in the world last year.

Other top surfers in the field of 128 surfers from 10 nations will be California’s own Rob Machado, local super star Jamie O’Brien, Bruce Irons and Pipe legend Derek Ho. Also included are Hawaiian upstarts T.J. Barron, Makua Kai Rothman and Ian Walsh. California’s Patrick Gudauskas, who began the year in fine form winning earlier this month in Florida, will be looking for another big result as he currently sits at No. 1 on the qualifying series tour.

Others competing include last years finalist Mark Mathews and Japan’s Takayuki Wakita.

The waiting period for the Pipeline Pro will begin this Jan. 27 and run through Feb. 6. Competition will run on the three biggest days of the waiting period, as the Banzai Pipeline is one of the most treacherous and hollow waves in the world. The Pipeline Pro is the only event outside of the world-renowned Pipeline Masters for aspiring surfers to compete at this famous and well-respected wave.

My prediction for this event is that spectators will be on the edge of their seats as a return-to-form Andy Irons defeats local favorite Jamie O’Brien in a hotly contested Pipeline Pro.

Until next week “” stay healthy, and keep surfing.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and founder of the Aloha School of Surfing. Listen to him at 8 a.m. Sundays on “Extra Sports,” 1360 AM. He can be reached at Jamo@Alohaschoolofsurfing.com