The history of the Pipe House

April 10, 2018 | Surfing
The Pipe House: the most famous surf building on the North Shore | Photo: Volcom

For many, it will always be Gerry Lopez's house. But, today - and since 2007 - the Pipe House is also known as the Volcom House.

The Pipe House is the place where the company's surfing team, execs, coaches, and friends meet to check the conditions, breathe Pipeline, and support athletes during competitions.

It's a 3,000-square-foot building with four bedrooms and, at least, eight beds, including one in the living room.

The solar-powered Pipe House is built from wood, and every space is used to socialize, eat, drink, watch surf videos, or check out the equipment.

"A long time ago, there was no house here. This was just a baking yard.

There was banyan tree, and we used just to hang out and watch the waves," explains Dave Riddle, Volcom Hawaii team captain.

"Gerry built this thing, and it's kind of appropriate because he was, and still is, Mr. Pipeline.

When it first became the Volcom House, Bruce was on the top floor. He'd won the Pipe Masters already. He put his time in Pipe, and everybody knows about it."

"Dave Wassel was here, Tai Vandyke jumped in, Dean Morrison came jumping in, and Gavin [Beschen], and everybody was hanging out here, even though they had their own houses.

The Pipe House has its special, private rules. You earn the right to live under its roof by taming the liquid beast in all types of conditions.

"I think every kid dreams about having a house on the beach with a wave going off in the backyard. This just happened to be the best house ever because it's at Pipeline," underlines Wassel.

In conclusion, the Pipe House celebrates the dream of riding the one and only North Shore wave and, like in real life, it only accommodates a few fearless guests.