The Story of the Pipeline Posse
By Flynn Novak
 Pipeline is one of the heaviest surf breaks in the world. Pipe has killed more surfers than Jaws, Mavericks and Teahupo‘o combined. It’s dangerous enough dealing with the raw power of Mother Nature while taking off on one of the steepest, shallowest and most unpredictable waves in the world. But when you stir in a crowd of 80 heads to the boiling pot full of harsh ingredients, it’s an inevitable recipe for disaster.
It’s one of the only deadly water activities that doesn’t require licensing or permits from the City & County or the state of Hawai‘i. No state agency monitors background checks or insurance history for Pipeline surfers. Anyone can paddle out with a pointed nose, pointed tail and three very sharp fins, and enter the impact zone at the Banzai. That’s where crews like the Pipeline Posse come into play.
Along with Da Hui and the Wolfpak, these local bruddahs have made a huge impact in keeping the surfers in the lineup under control and respectful. These cliques are totally cohesive and most of the surfers are part of all three groups. Despite each group’s individual identity, they share the same goal: to help keep the world’s most dangerous lineup relatively safe.
 Basically, when Pipe is firing and the crowd is getting nuts, the boys have each other’s backs. Outsiders may see this like a bunch of gangs fighting for the same territory. In fact, it’s more like a really big group of fearlessly talented regulars who are committed to keeping their playground orderly. The theory is: sending a few reckless transgressors to the beach, voluntarily or not, is better than dealing with random loose boards and bodies flying over the falls.
While there is a long list of responsible individuals demonstrating pono (righteous) conduct out at Pipe, it’s groups like the Da Hui, Wolfpak and Pipeline Posse who are the most prominent regulators.
They are the protectors of the experts within the Pipeline pecking order. By imposing simple laws of respect, they keep the peace and the carnage levels to a minimum at the deadliest wave in the world. The Posse is a brotherhood of the best surfers who dedicate their lives to surfing Pipeline and look out for each other. Having the Posse in full force at Pipe enables the experts to push the level of surfing out there, without hazards like inexperienced surfers dropping in on the shoulder.
Kaua‘i’s Braden Dias started the Pipeline Posse in 1993. The goofy-footer is regarded as a Pipe legend and is still a regular fixture in the lineup. With a growing crowd count, fatalities, near deaths and increased risk, this Hawaiian-born surfer saw a need to regulate those who surf the infamous Pipeline for the safety of everyone. When surfers in the water understand the risk and have the ability, experience and respect to surf Pipe, it makes the lineup safer for photographers and wave riders. The Pipeline Posse is rooted as a surf lifestyle-minded group of individuals who stand for a common pact and have a direct influence on the Pipeline pecking order. Hardly contrived, this Posse keeps the peace, spreads the Aloha and holds accountable those who threaten the delicate beaches and put other surfers in danger.
After moving to the North Shore from Kaua‘i over 13 years ago, Brado remembers surfing Pipeline as a kid, and recognized an unwritten law of respect enforced by guys like Dane Kealoha and Marvin Foster. “Back in the day, there was a REAL set of rules. You wouldn’t be able to go out there and break any of these rules without paying the consequences,” says Dias. According to Brado, the days of fist fight justice is waning because the law is getting involved. Currently, a more tactful way of enforcement is being employed. “You need to approach it in a different way,” Braden explains. “Nice and level-headed, and just have a little more calmness about the whole deal.”
One instrument of Pipe justice Dias used to employ was a coach’s tool. Everyone remembers the notorious “Penalty Whistle” from the 2000-2002 winter seasons. It would be blown in order to point out every time a less-experienced or non-respectful surfer would break one of the well-known rules of surfing etiquette. That was during a turning point, and as Braden explains, ”the whistle’s retired already.” As many would like to believe that it was collected and placed in Surfing’s Hall of Fame, Braden just laughs and nonchalantly mentions, “Actually I think somebody might be holding it in their pocket.”
 Before the whistle was ever blown from the Volcom House, Brado remembers first coming up with the Pipeline Posse title over 13 years ago with his stepfather, “I knew I had to have Pipeline in it somewhere with meaning. My step-dad, an old-school Hawaiian Paniolo (cowboy), said ‘posse?’ I’m like, no way, it sounds like a gang!”
Still adamant about the cowboy reference, Braden’s step-pops made him grab the dictionary: Posse. The summon of men called together by the sheriff to assist him, in keeping the peace. Dias was assured of the name by the mention of ‘peace’ and so it has been, quickly spreading since the first day forward, a message by the experts minimizing Pipeline’s constant chaos. By practicing surfing’s most effective respect system, the Pipeline Posse has gained worldwide recognition and praise for their guidance and guardian duties.
“My vision of aloha is to share my lifestyle with the world, and have everyone who comes to Hawai‘i feel the Aloha, so when they go home they can bring that feeling back to their families and friends,” says Dias.
With the help from a handful of experienced and successful investors who share Sheriff Brado’s goal of keeping the peace and spreading aloha, the Pipeline Posse is growing into the largest, most recognized entity in the surf industry. “It’s definitely been a journey, but we’ve come a long way from the Boys just sharing a mutual respect ideal‚ to the beginning of a company that will last forever,” says Braden. And if you think about it, what other surf brand actually stands for something and has roots that run this deep?
The goal of the Posse as a company is to function in a different way—the right way. Profits are secondary to bettering the lineup, beach and community. Giving back to the community is what the Pipeline Posse stands for. Beach clean-ups and lu‘au’s will become a common occurrence. Also, instead of having a team that is recycled every couple years, there is a group of solid members who will be with the Posse for life, like Jason Frederico and Jamie Sterling. No recycling riders, just growing together. The main difference is that this group of surfers who make up the Posse, all do it for the love of Pipeline.
Love will make people do crazy things. The Pipeline Posse protects Pipe and the boys who love it and live it. Pipeline is unique, but the fear and power it lets people feel is rare and unmatched. The best Pipeline surfers are the ones who ride it for the unconditional love, not for the fame, fortune or pain it may bring. There is a deep-rooted feeling of obligation to keep this place safe because we know it could easily take everything it has given in a heartbeat. It’s only natural for the best surfers at Pipe to take charge and protect their beloved wave and friends who share their passion. [PAU]
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