Margaret River surfer Jack Robinson was crowned the 2019 World Surf League (WSL) men’s Qualifying Series (QS) Volcom Pipe Pro QS 3,000 champion outright in pristine, 6-to-8 foot swell at Pipeline and Backdoor over a heavily-stacked finals day field in Oahu, Hawaii.
The 22-year-old fulfilled a part of his destiny with this victory, known for charging waves of consequence from a young age.
“I'm on top of the world, couldn't have more confidence to start the year off with a win here -- it's about as good as it gets," Robinson said.
"It's the hardest contest all year and Pipeline I feel like chooses guys.
“If a wave comes it comes. You have to be so on to win this contest. You can do all the preparation in the world to be ready, but if the wave doesn't come to you then you're left on the outside looking in.
“Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting me. I couldn't do this without my dad, my friends, my girlfriend -- all the local boys here make me feel at home."
Robinson took on Oahu’s own Barron Mamiya, fellow Australian Reef Heazlewood, and the first Volcom team rider to make a Final at this event, and known Pipe charger, Balaram Stack (USA).
An early start for Robinson garnered him a 7.00 (out of a possible 10) before Mamiya topped that with a 7.50. Heazlewood got in the mix with an excellent 8.00 to take the lead, but Robinson was quick to respond and threw himself over the ledge on a Backdoor bomb to post a 7.87 and ultimately claim the victory.
The 2019 Volcom Pipe Pro champ also posted the event’s highest heat total of a near-perfect 19.57 (out of a possible 20) in Round 5 to start the day’s proceedings.
Now, Robinson looks to carry this momentum into the rest of 2019.
“I feel confident and just want to get to the World Tour already," Robinson added.
"That's where I'm meant to be I feel. It's going to be a lot of hard work to get there, but I feel like it's time.”
- with World Surf League
