Gallery: Team Snapt5 Looks To Go Three In A Row At Backdoor Shootout
For the last two years, Team Snapt5 has dominated the Hui o He‘e Nalu Backdoor Shootout in Memory of the Duke. In 2022, it was Mason Ho leading the team to a win. Last year that honor went to Benji Brand. The waiting period for the illustrious, nonconformist Pipeline event kicks off January 4—and there’s a ton of swell on the horizon.
In 2023, the final day of the Backdoor Shootout ran right as the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational was called on and the North Shore of Oahu went on high alert. Somewhat lost in the shuffle was Brand’s heroic performance in waves of serious consequence. The event saw a number of casualties as Pipe specialists Kala Grace suffered a nearly lethal wipeout, while Makua Rothman suffered a knee injury that took him out for the rest of the winter. It’s also worth noting that in one of the more inspiring moments of the event’s storied history, 66-year-old Michael Ho surfed in place of his injured son, Mason, throughout the harrowing event.
One of the best at Pipe today, Benji Brand won the individual portion of the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout last year ... and could run the table again this year.
Left to right: Benji Brand, Mason Ho, Josh Moniz, Logan Dulien, Clay Marzo, Seth Moniz, Michael Ho
When they say, "the wave went square," this is exactly what they mean. Josh Moniz comfortably negotiating the angles.
It's considered surfing's ultimate proving ground for a reason.
Simply timeless. Michael Ho as good as it gets at Pipe.
The man that invented "pig-dog" backside tube riding, at 66 Michael Ho's still at it and still as stoked as ever.
Left to right: Benji Brand, Josh Moniz, Clay Marzo, Seth Moniz, Michael Ho
Parking it on a Pipe bomb, Seth Moniz right at home.
Don't let the smile fool you, Seth Moniz is downright lethal at Pipe.
It never gets old. Ever.
Once again, this year Team Snapt5 comes into the Backdoor Shootout with a stacked roster that includes Brand and Ho, as well as Seth and Josh Moniz, Clay Marzo and Parker Coffin. For Marzo, this will be his first time back at Pipe in over 12 years, but given he’s one of the world’s most naturally gifted tube riders, the hiatus will likely be irrelevant.
“I love the format and they usually score the best pipe swells during the Shootout,” explains Snapt5’s pit boss Logan Dulien, who’s also working on a film project with his stable of surfers. “The caliber of competition is crazy. It is hands down the best of the best guys. If you wanna win either division you gotta beat the best guys and best teams.”
Consisting of both an individual competition and a team format, the Backdoor Shootout draws a collection of the most elite Pipe surfers in the world. And as Dulien noted, the event is only called on when the waves are cooking. The New Earth Project team might be Snapt5’s toughest competition. Last year they were comprised of 11-time world champ Kelly Slater, Kai Lenny, Matahi Drollet and Koa Smith. Coming off of a hip surgery this fall, Slater’s status for the event is up in the air, but whoever they go with, they’re bound to be stacked.
The waiting period for the Backdoor Shootout runs from January 4 through 16. The waiting period starts off on the small side, but by the week of January 8 a new round of big northwest swell hits the islands.
Watch: Mason Ho And Company Take On 30-Foot Waimea Bay
With more than 25 years of writing about surfing, the ocean and action sports, Jake Howard continues to share stories, profiles and issues that shape the surfing world. One of the premier subject-matter experts in the field today, he's savvy in the ways of print, digital and social media, his breadth of work is expansive. Getting his start writing Surfline surf reports and recording the phone reports for 976-SURF in the late '90s, Jake served as the managing editor for Surfer Magazine in the early 2000s before moving on to launch RedBullSurfing.com and cover surfing for ESPN and the X Games. Over the years, Jake has also enjoyed time behind the edit desk at The Surfer's Journal, as well as the World Surf League, where he worked as the Senior Editor for a number of years. Beyond producing editorial content, Jake has served as a digital marketer and copywriter for iconic surf brands such as Quiksilver, Roxy and Rip Curl. Writing thousands of pages of copy for Surfline, he has deep SEO experience as well. The surf columnist for the San Clemente Times, Jake continues to dedicate himself to the culture and history of the sport through his involvement with the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center in San Clemente.