Beyond all the hype that comes with the peak of the North Shore season, one thing remains pure, a surfer and their engagement with its waves. Flynn Novak cloaked in the glow of Pipeline. Photo: Christa Funk

Nathan Fletcher and Flynn Novak, two of Pipeline’s best, post-session talk-story. Photo: Gonzo

Koa Rothman and Jack Germain, “This is Livin.” Every second is a moment. Photo: Gonzo

The North Shore bike path is a grom’s super highway. Photo: Gonzo

The North Shore equivalent of a wine cellar. Photo: Gonzo

Brazil’s Yago Dora is probably best known for his above-the-lip acrobatics, but behind the airs and tail-wafts is a rock-solid foundation of power and form. Dora perfectly poised at Pipeline. Photo: Gonzo

Nate Yeomans, Pipeline exit bliss. Photo: Mike Latronic

Young charger Moana Jones hopping on the Pipeline freight train. Photo: Brian Bielmann

Danny Fuller photo: Latronic

It has been well established that San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto thrives on the North Shore. The 2017 Vans Triple Crown of Surfing champion has been one of the standout performers in freesurfs up and down the coast. From spot to spot, his unique mix of form and explosive power has set the bar (really high) this season. Backdoor power hook. Photo: Ryan Miller

Hailing from the land of lefts, Peruvian Miguel Tudela is no stranger to frontside perfection. But, there's perfect and then there’s Pipeline. Tudela on a Pipe bomb, taking perfection to another realm. Photo: Mike Latronic

Young North Shore phenom Barron Mamiya came devastatingly close to qualifying for the 2020 World Championship Tour this year. With his performances along the 7-mile miracle this season, Mamiya has clearly established himself as a CT-level talent and his ascension to the “Dream Tour” in 2021 is an all but foregone conclusion. Mamiya driving forward at Rocky Rights. Photo: Mike Latronic

The peanut gallery at the 50-yard line. Volcom Pipe House. Photo: Gonzo

Vans World Cup champ and recent CT qualifier, Jack Robinson, pre-event training with Volcom coach Jason Shibata. Photo: Mike Latronic

Griffin Colapinto photo: Latronic

Artist, Model, Pipeline Charger - Danny Fuller is a man of many talents. While those exploits have garnered Fuller the most attention, high performance ripper could easily be added to that impressive list. The Kaua'i native has been making his mark on the North Shore in waves of all sizes for more seasons than he can probably count. Here’s Fuller, in familiar territory, obliterating an OTW lip. Photo: Mike Latronic

As far as surfers go, Conner Coffin leads a pretty charmed existence. He was raised in the pointbreak-rich region of Santa Barbara, he’s a well-established member of the “Dream Tour,” does extended residencies in Tavarua, and has a family home on the North Shore. Despite these comforts and his many accomplishments, Coffin remains humble to the core and as surf-stoked as they come. Coffin, counting his blessings at Backdoor. Photo: Gonzo

Features

·1 min read

Make Your Mark

By Andrew Oliver

“The Season,” as it’s known on the North Shore, roughly corresponds to the six weeks of competition, events, freesurfs, parties, and shenanigans during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing window. A global pilgrimage of competitive warriors, heavy-wave chargers, freeloaders, hanger-ons, and everyone in-between converge on this storied sliver of coast to revel in the surfing supernova that is “The Season.”

The contests do a great job of quantifying winners and losers on their given days, and as much attention and fanfare the official events rightfully receive, the moments between the heats are no less spectacular. With the sheer bounty of waves this season, performance levels have been through the roof. Here are a few who have made their mark.