In stunning move that throws professional surfing into disarray, defending World Title holder Gabriel Medina withdraws from Billabong Pro Pipeline Masters!

Steve Burling’s Ha’atafu Beach Resort in Tonga no longer exists.

A long time ago, in a decade far far away, during a time called “The Nineties” SURFER Magazine did a boat trip to Tonga with Tom Carroll, Kelly Slater and your humble narrator. 

At the time, Kelly Slater and Tom Carroll…