Hawaii’s Benji Brand, Australia’s Ryan Callinan catch ride into Pipe Masters

In his own estimation, Australia’s Ryan Callinan was having a so-so day, but he ended with pizzazz.

Callinan won the Pipe Invitational surf contest on Wednesday at Ehukai Beach to gain entry into the main event — the Billabong Pipe Masters.

In 6- to 8-foot waves, Callinan outlasted the 32-man field in the invitational that serves as the qualifier for the Pipe Masters. He defeated Hawaii’s Benji Brand and Torrey Meister, and Australia’s Soli Bailey in the final.

By finishing second, Brand received the other coveted spot into the Pipe Masters.

“To be honest, this whole day I haven’t really put together the best heats,” Callinan said. “The final was my highest heat score. I can’t wait for the main event. I just want to get some good waves and, hopefully, Pipe turns on in the next few days.”

The next call for the main event is 8 a.m. today. The contest’s holding period ends Dec. 20.

Due to strong wind that swung side-onshore, conditions were difficult by the time the invitational final rolled around Wednesday, leading to average scores.

In the final, Callinan found the first hollow section for a decent 4.0 and added a 5.67 later with a left-handed barrel to finish with 9.67. Brand, who also qualified for the main event last year, built his two-wave total to 5.47 to edge out Meister (4.67) and Bailey (2.80).

“It feels unreal,” Brand said. “This is exactly what happened to me last year. I couldn’t believe it then and it’s the same feeling now.”

The Pipe Masters is the final event of the World Surf League’s championship tour and also the third stop of the Vans Triple Crown. Three champions will be determined there — the Pipe Masters winner, the Triple Crown champ, and the ultimate prize in the sport — the world championship as the season’s points leader.

No. 1 Gabriel Medina and No. 3 Filipe Toledo of Brazil and No. 2 Julian Wilson of Australia are the only contenders left with a chance at the world crown.

Australia’s Joel Parkinson, Brazil’s Jesse Mendes and Honolulu’s Ezekiel Lau are the top three in the Triple Crown standings.