Three-time world champion Andy Irons (Hawaii) will head an all-star field of 128 surfers from 10 nations entered in the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro, presented by Billabong. The event will be held at world famous Banzai Pipeline starting Sunday, January 27, running through to February 6, 2008. A $50,000 Association of Surfing Professionals sanctioned 3-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) event, the competition will run on the three biggest and best days of barreling surf at Pipeline during the designated period – typically in the 10- to 20-foot range.

Along with Andy, proven Pipeline masters Rob Machado (California), Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii, Bruce Irons (Hawaii), and Derek Ho (Hawaii) will also be starters in the event. They will be joined by a host of highly charged hopefuls the likes of locals TJ Barron, Makuakai Rothman, Ian Walsh, Flynn Novak, Jamie Sterling and Marcus Hickman, as well as renowned internationals Takayuki Wakita (Japan), Patrick Gudauskas (USA), and last year’s finalists Mark Mathews (Australia) and Gavin Gillette (Hawaii).

The Monster Energy Pipeline Pro, presented by Billabong, is the only opportunity outside of the coveted Billabong Pipeline Masters (December 8-20 each year) for aspiring surfers to compete professionally at the prestigious tube-riding venue of Pipeline.

Pipeline’s long, storied past includes many of the most dramatic moments in pro surfing’s history. Professional competition has been taking place at Pipeline for 38 years. Through the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro, presented by Billabong, surfers can earn valuable WQS ratings points in their pursuit to climb onto the elite World Championship Tour (WCT), as well as a golden ticket to take on the world’s best in the Pipeline Masters in December – the world championship decider that ends the tour each year.

A return to more typical winter storm-generated surf in recent weeks has already landed epic waves of up to 25 feet on the North Shore and competitors can look forward to elevated energy levels in the North Pacific generating quality surf for the Monster Energy Pipeline Pro again this year.