HISTORY

JP Patterson began bodyboarding in 1975 and soon rose to the top of the early competitors list by winning in 82 the first Scott sponsored Comp ever held at Pipeline. In Jan 1985 JP entered the history books when he survived a 50ft closeout wave at Waimea Bay. JP on his boogie and surfer James Jones paddled out at 3pm. Waimea was the only wave ride-able at 20ft plus. JP caught a few waves on the shoulder.Surfers Alec Cooke and Mark Foo were next to paddle out.  Around 4.30pm a monster set approached. The first wave estimated to be 50ft broke left and closed out The Bay. JP dove deep and his leash snapped on impact.He almost drowned before he was rescued by helicopter.Eye witnesses at the time said it was the biggest wave that anyone had been faced with and survived.Pic below from a Tracks article in ’88 describing the day.