What LIES BENEATH PIPELINE, The WORLD'S most DANGEROUS REEF!

[@rorylocal]

Surfed pipe on a ‘small’ day many years back. Easy paddle out but the shallowness of the inside is insane. Duckdiving and your knuckles hit the reef and your head is still just above water. Crowds, reef, takeoff and the pace of the wave…everything is intense.

[@iaincampbell_]

The smaller it is, the shallower it gets…

[@seabirdjim]

In the winters of 1979, ‘80, ‘81 and ‘82 I was blessed to be able to live on the N. Shore for a few months on my way back stateside from months in Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand. I loved surfing the N. Shore. I got squashed into reefs and bottom at Pipeline on a number of occasions. Never fun. Got stuffed into one of those holes in the reef once and that was freaky. I also impacted the bottom at Log Cabins, Daystar, Mokoluea, Tracks, Boneyards at Sunset Beach (luckily never was ground up on Val’s Reef at Sunset) and even hit the sand between the big coral outcrops at Makaha on one very large day. I was concerned that my kook cord would get wrapped around a coral head. It didn’t and I popped up. I even hit the reef once at Kahuku (AKA Golf Course) on a day that closed out the shore. Because I have 20/400 vision I tended to paddle into waves the Hawaiians were paddling away from. I just couldn’t see well enough to tell that the wave was going to close out for 100 yards and crush me. I just went for it. It wasn’t all wipeouts. Got some epic rides.

[@iaincampbell_]

So epic bru 🔥🔥

[@lachlanbidefeld2031]

Damm Iain, I didnt realise how coarse the reef at pipe is and I love your new flippers, I'm definitely thinking of copping some. I also didnt realise how shallow pipe is, it's insane how people like you have the bravery to paddle in huge conditions. Keep up the great work Iain your videos are just masterpieces themselves.🤙🌊

[@iaincampbell_]

Thanks so much man. When it’s smaller days like the one I saw, the reef gets really shallow. When it’s bigger it usually has more water on it!

[@lachlanbidefeld2031]

@@iaincampbell_ Oh ok Iain that makes sense now, cheers for the info and keep shredding bruh.🌊🤙

[@martingonzalez1707]

Crazy reef. If u get traped on one of these huge cracks in a wipe out...man that is serious trouble...actually looks similar to el Confital, but with bigger holes. Great clip keep enjoying champ!

[@iaincampbell_]

It would be very similar to el confital. They are both lava rock so same same.

[@cosmicpuma1409]

Loving your content! Finally a vid that shows the reef in detail, instead of 5 seconds between surf shots!! Beautiful and insane at the same time! Awesome and thank you!

[@iaincampbell_]

🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@GERMIX27]

Bro I've been searching for a video like this one showing the Pipe Reef for a long time . And no video was even close to this one. !! Love it 🌊🤙🔥

[@iaincampbell_]

Thank you. Stoked you like it 🙏🏼

[@XplicitVib3z]

Always wondered what's underneath these waves

[@luisdactitud]

Wow man, incredible perspective. I never expected it to look like that.

[@iaincampbell_]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@emisurfchannel2280]

very nice shots! you can see all the danger of this reef! sometimes they look like mushrooms under them!

[@iaincampbell_]

Not too much around there but other parts of the reef are like that for sure…

[@nigelbarrett3602]

That would be super scary place to have a bad wipeout. Thanks for showing us the reef Iain i think i will stick to a beach break 🤙🌊🌊🐟

[@iaincampbell_]

🤣🤣 when you see how beautiful and perfect that wave is you may change your mind 😅

[@kennethhowell5291]

I cannot wait to surf pipeline. What fun. A giant wave that weighs more than a million tons slams you into the coral that does not do anything but carve you into a million pieces. What could be more fun than a day at the beach.

[@shreddedmerg1847]

This was sick!!

[@jasonkew5428]

I still have my original Churchills! I’m 50 and they’re 30yrs old and still supple rubber:) unlike me;) Ps… just invested in your Sniper Theory board!!

[@iaincampbell_]

That’s legend status bru!! Bring back the OG rubber that lasts! Thanks for the support on my model. Hope it feels good bru 🙏🏼🤙🏼

[@johndoeyedoe]

Looks like my local spot, just with all dead coral. 😢 Shallow too. Got cut hands from duckdiving atm. Reefs are sharp, knee carved up a bit from paddling out and bumping against the reef. Nothing's better than sponging an almost dry reef break.

[@iaincampbell_]

If you local looks like pipeline then that’s the spot 😉🤙🏼

[@Anna-jb7ll]

Amazing video! Going to Oahu in December, aloha!

[@iaincampbell_]

Be careful out there… and enjoy it 🤙🏼

[@familytravels2999]

That one section had teeth to chew you up.

[@iaincampbell_]

🤣🤣 yup!

[@eganc1976]

Orange and black been sold old out for some time....I'm waiting, but will use ur code🤙

[@iaincampbell_]

Not sure when they will be coming back… but thanks.

[@teachr1]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEYIKERS!!!!!!! seen it before but every time i see it i get chills... if i do go out there next time, i'm def wearing a helmet!!!

[@iaincampbell_]

That’s how I feel about swimming it! Haha.

[@jamesplacencia6741]

About to step up my board game , I already broke two Beginner ones it’s time to get a better board also I use the og hydros I’m thinking of trying the Churchills too

[@iaincampbell_]

Definitely upgrade your board if you’re breaking them like that! And fins are important too…

[@micahdollente6071]

Which side of pipeline u went after the parking lot, left or right?

[@iaincampbell_]

Left… then straight over the reef!

[@boogieheads]

Nice relaxing music for a dive

[@iaincampbell_]

😉💪🏼

[@tcesarlimac9190]

Era isso aí q queríamos ver,o fundo de pipe parabéns pelo video

[@iaincampbell_]

Gracias 🙏🏼

[@3diabolos]

Nice video mate! views of the reef are beautiful. A wipeout there on a an average day can be tricky and on big day must be horrible. I m always surprise how many people charge there.

[@iaincampbell_]

The bigger days seem to have a bit more water on the reef than the smaller days. In saying that it is a very difficult and tricky place but the waves are insane!

[@3diabolos]

@@iaincampbell_ Yes. When I saw the pipe event live, makua rothman said that in smaller days the reef is more dangerous.. And what about the power of the waves? I surf on the Atlantic Ocean in sand waves. Is a big difference? I would try pipe with bodyboard on an average day but the reef seems so scary. How do you prepare for surfing reef waves?

[@iaincampbell_]

@@3diabolos I've been surfing there for the last 9 years. it isn't just get in and forget about it. I am very careful about what I do and when I go in. I know what the risk is and make sure I am safe and confident.

[@kuang01]

Superb video! How does this compare to the most commonly use carbon long fins while freediving? You seem very fast and effortless.

[@iaincampbell_]

They are incomparable… I’m very quick as this is what I do. These are swim fins no for free diving use.

[@alexkellum1]

Hey Iain! Great vid! Any help with keeping fog to a minimum? I’ve been using anti fog spray but it wears off

[@iaincampbell_]

Use spit! It’s as good but you have to do it pretty often. The technique is to spin on the lens and rub it with your tongue and then just dunk it once underwater.

[@joshherman8558]

Awesome🤘

[@versace2254]

Getting your leg or fin caught in one of theses is the worst feeling ever

[@iaincampbell_]

Must be…

[@konaogawa2758]

shot in the water at pipe a few times and at low tides there’s rocks you can actually stand on!

[@iaincampbell_]

It’s a pretty crazy place. Love it. 🙏🏼

[@vincentbetts1525]

You ever boogie board at Sandy’s beach?! 808 🤙🏄🏽🌊

[@iaincampbell_]

Yes a few times but not in the summer when it is good!

[@MRHiles]

Lekker soos 🐟 en 🍟 ! Is the section where you stood up onto the reef the infamous “boil”?

[@iaincampbell_]

Nope, that’s backdoor bru 😅

[@jackocallaghan2786]

I’m pretty surprised there weren’t many fish out that day

[@iaincampbell_]

Me too but there were still a few around.

[@medievalknievel]

That is some highly intimidating bathmetry

[@iaincampbell_]

Sure is!

[@andrewdean7917]

I used to wear Churchills but found them to heavy . 🤔

[@iaincampbell_]

They aren’t too bad anymore.

[@jksinorbit]

I prefer that to the cheese grater at Uluwatu….

[@paulychannel7914]

If you got really smashed down to the bottom & your foot , leg or any part of your body got stuck in a reef " hole"... what are the chances of survival....& also how many surfers have actually died at Pipeline ?..... I would imagine quite a few ....after seeing the bottom reef.....

[@iaincampbell_]

There have been a few deaths but every situation is very different…

[@iaincampbell_]

There have been a few deaths but every situation is very different…

[@Jason-TheChad-Muska_circa1995]

This is the reason why I dislike the fact that pipeline is labeled a reef break. It's not a reef break. Pipeline is a slab. A reef is alive. What you're seeing here has absolutely no life aside from certain animals that use its caves and crevasses as sanctuaries. I was stunned by this the first time that I ever went and surfed pipe. What is underneath the water at pipe is as you can see course and porous concrete. I'd absolutely want nothing to do with fire coral but aside from that I'd rather land on Coral than land on this. Pipe doesn't just cut you up and sand you down but it also is like being hit by a car at times. It's like trying to clear a 10 stair and then just eating s*** abruptly.

[@dingus2218]

i'm surprised there's not a graveyard of legropes down there

[@iaincampbell_]

There is a lot of trash stuck under there.

[@kerouacist]

Was Pipeline first surfed in the 1970s?

[@iaincampbell_]

I have no idea…

[@Bodyboarding_guy.808]

That’s cool

[@spydude7404]

Rad bru

[@craigaldred]

Half human half fish. Swimming under water through the currents and waves with your mouth open no problem. 😮😲

[@iaincampbell_]

🤣🤣🤣 I’ve been enjoying the water for a very long time. It fascinates me!

[@Craigwdlr]

I believe you man because I know you’d know better but always hard to believe Pipeline is more dangerous than Teahupoʻo. Is it truly? Is firing pipe more dangerous than firing Teahupoʻo?

[@iaincampbell_]

I don’t think the danger is more or less at either. Just don’t think there are as many fatal injuries in other parts of the world like there are at pipe.

[@aaron.monson_surf]

pipe can be super ugly chopes is relatively perfect in comparison.

[@Freezymc]

Come to reunion island you will see dangerous reef

[@iaincampbell_]

I’m looking to avoid reunion until the situation calms down a bit. Not saying there aren’t dangerous reefs in other places but pipeline has had the most fatalities due to head injury.

[@Freezymc]

@@iaincampbell_ yep tahupoo very dangerous too it really similar than reunion reef

[@Freezymc]

@@iaincampbell_ but pipeline still a beautifull wave i wish i will surf this wave one day

[@danielmeijer4831]

Damn, u a freediver?

[@iaincampbell_]

No, I’m a bodyboarder.

[@danielmeijer4831]

@@iaincampbell_ i know but ahve u ever freediver, cus you can hold your breath for a while

[@bolas_dirtbike2066]

I still think Teahupo is more dangerous

[@goncalofilipe7259]

Very different... Pipeline stills more intense.

[@iaincampbell_]

Possibly but more people have passed at Pipeline…

[@bolas_dirtbike2066]

@@iaincampbell_ Wow really, Yeahupo is heaver but that reef at Pipe did look really gnarly, some of those reef spikes could shank you!

[@clarkewi]

Gorgeous