7-Year-Old Surfs Pipeline; Bad Idea? (Video)

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 8:03 PM ET

In recent years, climbing Mount Everest has become increasingly controversial. The contention amidst the world’s most infamous ascent? Too many people. Specifically, people with money (and egos) climbing the mountain, paying sherpas, when perhaps they’re not physically fit enough to do so. By the latest numbers, an estimated 7,269 individuals have summited Everest, with 12,884 successful ascents, and 335 deaths (including over 200 popsicle bodies still on the mountain).

Traffic jams, deaths, inexperienced climbers…all these facets are dooming this mythical mountain, per reports, and thus making the experience of hitting the summit less special.

Similarly, but perhaps to a lesser extent, controversy has been plaguing the world’s most infamous wave: Pipeline. Reports of too many people, too many inexperienced people, younger surfers without the skillset paddling out, injuries, near-deaths, etc. And so, when this video came across our screens, all those concerns came to mind. Although, still, a 7-year-old surfing Pipe? Impressive.

Meet Uriah Anchor. Last time we saw him, the Oceanside, CA native was charging Teahupo’o. For more about him, and his preternatural surfing career, he told Fox 5:

“I love the ocean and it’s my friend forever. I didn’t really pop up quite yet because I was just 8 months, but I started to like the ocean when I was that age. I really like it and I hope like it forever, and I will like it forever. I really want to be an athlete and go into the Olympics, so I can get points for our country,” he said. “And make the United States a better place.”

Good on him. And honestly, it was baby Pipe. Fitting for a 7-year-old’s first go.

Earlier this year, North Shore Lifeguard Kyle Foyle addressed the issue, and the dangers, of overcrowding and inexperienced surfers paddling out at Pipeline. Foyle penned:

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A post shared by Kyle Foyle (@kylefoyle)

“WTF is going on this winter…. It’s been getting bad for a couple winters now but this year….F&$k! I love helmets and they work but sticking a helmet/impact vest on your 14 year old that has only been surfing for a couple years and doesn’t have the knowledge/skills to surf Waimea or Pipe is extremely Dangerous for them and the people around them.

“Parents, stop trying to make your kid the next John John… there is no money in surfing any more or at least teach them proper surfing skills/respect. Someone is going to die or get really hurt if this keeps going on. The #wolfpack needs to come back asap.”

Not saying that’s the case with young Uriah here since, as mentioned, it wasn’t pumping, large, experts-only Pipeline. But still, worth having the discussion. How young is too young?

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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