The forecast for this year’s IBA Pipe Challenge is brought to you by: www.swellinfo.com.
Wednesday the 15th February, the first day of the contest, the swell will be coming in from the northwest, in the 5-7ft range early in the day, building all day, and by late afternoon waves should be in the 8-10ft region. This direction means both Pipeline and Backdoor will be breaking, we will most likely see heats with riders splitting the peak. The wind will be coming from the east and gradually swinging to an east-southeast direction in the afternoon, getting gusts of up to 17miles per hour (14 knots). This wind direction is ideal for Pipe as it is going to be straight offshore all day.
Thursday the 16th February, day two, the swell will be at its biggest day of competition, as the swell peaks in the afternoon. The morning will see sets in the 10-12ft range with possible bigger ones throughout the day. The swell will continue to approach from the northwest and the winds will be blowing, with gusts of up to 16mph (13knots) from the east.
Friday the 17th February, day three, the swell will calm down. Waves will possibly be in the 8-10ft range and the swell direction will remain from the northwest. Winds will be from the east in the morning, swinging to east-northeast by the afternoon, with gust of up to 20mph (17 knots).
Saturday the 18th February, day four, the swell will drop some more. Waves should be expected in the 6-8ft range, the swell from the northwest and the wind from the east in the morning, swinging to east-northeast by the afternoon, with gust of up to 24mph (20 knots).
Sunday the 19th February, day five, the swell drops to 4-5ft and the direction remains from the northwest. The wind is meant to blow from an east-northeast direction with gusts of up to 21mph (18knots).
