While some trialists struggled to adjust to tricky conditions today at the Pipeline Invitational, the North Shore contingent stole the show. The Final was stacked with three local heroes: Finn McGill, Gavin Beschen, and Josh Moniz. Brazilian wildcard Victor Bernardo was the only surfer who lives elsewhere to make it that far.
After McGill won his Semifinal heat with a clutch buzzer-beater barrel, the 16-year-old carried his momentum straight into the Final. Another solid score there sealed the win and secured his Pipe Masters slot. Finn will be joined by Beschen, another (albeit older) North Shore surfer. The mellow 40-year-old has one of the smoothest styles on the seven-mile miracle, and his effortless approach could prove lethal in the Pipe Masters.