Russell Bierke | Heavy Hawaiian Assault: Pipe Masters, Jaws & The Eddie

Russell Bierke | Heavy Hawaiian Assault: Pipe Masters, Jaws & The Eddie

 

Fresh off a whirlwind trip to North Shore, Hawaii, Russell Bierke is back in Australia, trading mountainous waves for home renovations—and nursing some serious bruises in the process. In just one action-packed week, he tackled Jaws, competed in the legendary Eddie Aikau Invitational, took on the Vans Pipe Masters, and even squeezed in some playful Rockies sessions.

 All smiles on comp day.

His schedule was nothing short of chaos. “It was pretty full-on. I think the Pipe Masters Finals were still running when we had to bolt to the house, pack everything up, and leave the North Shore to get to Jaws.” While most surfers headed to Waimea to warm up for the Eddie, Russ and fellow big wave charger Torrey Meister saw a different opportunity.

Pulling into a solid Pipe freight train.

Torrey and I were kinda talking about it—there was gonna be no one out at huge Jaws, way fewer people. I dunno, I feel like Waimea is almost more dangerous with that many people, with everyone trying to warm up and other crew trying to prove themselves.Russ chuckles.

With the prospect of uncrowded pumping Jaws, the boys were foaming at the mouth. Paddling out early it was rogue raw and the session had an intense energy. Some of the main safety teams even claimed it was almost too big to paddle. Russ, a mix of caution and excitement, paddled out and ended up catching some of the biggest waves of his life. Considering Russ' accolades, that is no small feat.

“I wish I could’ve been in two places at once,” says the hellman. After surviving the Jaws, Russ and crew make it back to Oahu for a few hours of rest before jumping on his pushbike at 3 AM to get to the Eddie.

Warriors and their blades, poised for battle.

Now home on the South Coast, Russ has shifted onto “the demo program,” tearing down an old deck and building a new one. But he’s also recovering from a painful rib injury, courtesy of Waimea. “Um yeah, I kinda hit the water really hard,” he admits. “With the inflatable vest, two of the four canisters are in the front, kinda in your upper chest. They’re pretty solid—made out of metal, plus there’s a buckle they screw into. I never even deployed ‘em, the weight of the metal just got me a bit. A few other crew have said the same thing has happened to them as well.”

Aussie summer waves not featured.... 

A Hawaiian season crammed into just seven days—exhausting, exhilarating, and unforgettable. Now, with a hammer in one hand and a sore ribcage, he’s taking a well-earned breather. But knowing Russ, it won’t be long before the APEX Board Cover gets filled again, back chasing heavy waves… rumour has it, that a few Guinness may be involved when that time comes..

 

Footage supplied by: Andrew Kaineder
Stills: Oliver Risi

 

Follow the link below to catch Russell Bierke's previous trip

Russell Bierke | Van Diemen's Land To The North Shore

🤝 TRUSTED by surfers for a lifetime.
🦘 Born in Australia.


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