How a Fatal Shark Attack Brought Women's Pro Surfing Back to Pipeline (Video)
In the early hours of the morning on December 8th, 2020, a fatal shark attack occurred in Maui and, inadvertently, altered the trajectory of women’s pro surfing.
The victim, Rob Warren, was surfing Honolua Bay, the site of the women’s final event of the World Surf League season, the Maui Pro. Following the attack, he was rushed to the hospital. Warren, tragically, died the following day as a result of his injuries.
Afterwards, the WSL was stuck with a tough decision: Send the surfers out following the attack? Cancel the event? Or move it to another location?
They chose option number three, and since then, women’s surfing hasn’t been the same.
The location they chose? Pipeline, the world’s deadliest wave, on the neighboring island of Oahu. Before that, the women had never competed at Pipe in a Championship Tour event. But since then – and because of that tragedy – the women now compete alongside the men at, which is now but it wasn’t then, the opening event of the CT season.
Speaking about this historic transition in the video above, CT surfer Isabella said:
“Trying to learn how to surf waves like Pipeline and Sunset and those crazy scary waves that have been dominated by men for so many years…it’s hard to get a break. It’s hard to get a wave to feel like you’re comfortable in these spots, so that you can perform. But on the flip side, it’s been friggin’ phenomenal. I’ve never pushed myself so hard in my life.
“It’s tough because you have to battle with those crews who have surfed those waves for so long. They have more knowledge of wave selection, positioning…but it’s really cool, because the guys have been really helpful and understanding. They can see that some of the females, like myself, may need a bit of encouragement while they’re out there.
“Now you’re seeing the younger generation, because they saw that’s what they had to do, they’ve adapted so quickly. They’re pushing the limits of what’s possible.”
Longtime competitive surfer, Sally Fitzgibbons, added:
“Pipeline is here to stay for the women.”
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