Get ready for a wave of excitement—the 2026 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout kicks off today, and it’s shaping up to be unlike any other year! But here’s where it gets controversial: rumors are swirling that organizers might extend the waiting period, a move almost unheard of in Hawaii. Could this change the game entirely? We’ll keep you posted as the drama unfolds.
elsewhere // January 14, 2026
By Holden Trnka
Reading Time: < 1 minute
Conditions are looking playful today with an 8-foot northwest swell, light winds, and Backdoor delivering its signature charm. However—and this is the part most people miss—Pipeline, the star of the show, has yet to make an appearance this year. With the original waiting period ending on January 16th, will the rumored extension bring the waves everyone’s been waiting for? Stay tuned.
For those new to the event, here’s how it works: eight teams of five surfers each get six chances to tackle Pipeline during various rounds. Only the top three waves from each surfer count, and because Pipe’s waves are notoriously unpredictable, the scoring scale stretches all the way to 12—yes, it’s that intense.
Meet the Teams:
SHORTBOARD TEAMS:
TEAM NAVE: Makai McNamara, Legend Chandler, Kona Oliveira, Guile Johannpeters, Mananalu Chandler
TEAM DA BOYZ: Billy Kemper, Kala Grace, Sheldon Paishon, Kala DeSoto, Noah Beschen
TEAM PERU: Alvaro Malpartida, Joaquin Del Castillo, Alonso Correa, Cristobal De Col, Bastian Pierce, Noah De Col
SNAPT 5: Mason Ho, Benji Brand, Parker Coffin, Seth Moniz, Connor Coffin, Taro Watanabe (Alt)
TEAM JAPAN: Shinpei Horiguchi, Riaru Ito, Kenshin Matsunaga, Isamu Sumi, Riku Matsumoto, Shogo Harada
VOLCOM: Makana Pang, Noa Deane, Balaram Stack, Jake Maki, Maikai Burdine, Steve Roberson
A NEW EARTH PROJECT: Jamie O’Brien, Koa Smith, Moana Jones Wong, Shayden Pacarro, Luke Tema (Alt)
Click above to watch the action live and scroll below to dive deeper into the teams. And here’s a thought to spark debate: If the waiting period is extended, does it give certain teams an unfair advantage? Let us know what you think in the comments—we’re all ears!
