The Billabong Pipeline Masters is considered one of the most prestigious surfing contests in the world.

That made yesterday's HIC Pipeline Pro Trials a pretty big deal, too.

The HIC Pipeline Pro Trials was run in treacherous 8- to 12-foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline yesterday.

There was no prize money at stake. But there were eight invitations to the Billabong Pipeline Masters on the line, so surfers were willing to risk their lives for it yesterday.

"It was so worth it," Sunset Beach's Flynn Novak said while holding an ice pack on his head. "My goal was to get into the Pipe Masters and I achieved it. Who knows what can happen now?"

Novak was one of several surfers who needed medical attention during the contest. During a wipeout in his final heat, Novak injured his back and received a gash on his head that would require stitches.

Novak was supposed to be on a flight to Brazil last night for his next contest, but he had to cancel those plans because of his injuries.

"That sucked," he said. "But maybe it's a blessing in disguise because I'll still be in the Pipe Masters."

The eight Hawai'i surfers earning invitations to the Billabong Pipeline Masters were Novak, Jonah Morgan, Mason Ho, Liam McNamara, Gavin Gillette, Hank Gaskell, Dusty Payne and Sion Milosky.

Once the field was narrowed to eight, the competition was halted, so there was no event champion.

"Just to make it out of one heat was tough," Morgan said. "So to get through all the way and get into the Pipe Masters, I'm pumped."

The 2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters is scheduled to run Dec. 8 to 20.

The Billabong Pipeline Masters is part of the ASP World Tour, so most of the spots in the contest are reserved for the international competitors on the tour. In effect, yesterday's contest was the "local qualifier" for non-tour surfers.

"Everybody wants to get in the Pipe Masters," Morgan said. "I know it's always been one of my dreams."

Morgan caught one of the best waves of the day, receiving a score of 9.0 (out of 10) for a long barrel ride.

"It just popped up on the second reef and I was right there," said Morgan, who was raised on the Big Island but now resides on O'ahu's North Shore. "Conditions are really tricky, but there are some good ones if you're in the right spot."

One of the surprise qualifiers was Ho, although not because of his name. He is the son of Michael Ho and nephew of Derek Ho.

Michael Ho won the Pipeline Masters in 1982, and Derek Ho won it in 1986 and '93.

But yesterday was Mason Ho's first contest at the famous Banzai Pipeline.

"I never got a shot before," said Mason, 20. "That's always been a goal, to follow my dad."

Mason said he normally practices at Sunset Beach, but will now have nine months to practice at the Banzai Pipeline.

"I'm definitely going to get my practice now that I'm at that level," he said.

Like Novak, Gaskell earned a coveted invitation yesterday despite needing to see the contest physician. Gaskell's back and arms were bloodied and bruised after a wipeout during his second heat of the day.

He still went out for his next heat — with bandages all over his body — and managed to advance.

Among the surfers eliminated yesterday were former HIC Pipeline Pro winners Pancho Sullivan, Tom Dosland and Derek Ho.

Other standouts eliminated were Bruce Irons, Myles Padaca, Joel Centeio, Kai Barger and Makuakai Rothman.

Six Hawai'i surfers did not have to compete yesterday because they already received invitations to the Pipeline Masters through a peer poll.

The six are Kamalei Alexander, Kalani Chapman, Danny Fuller, Marcus Hickman, Reef McIntosh and Jamie O'Brien.

"Seeing what these guys had to go through today, that alone makes me happy I got voted in," Alexander said. "It's death-defying today. So to get a free pass ... I'll take it."

All told, 14 surfers from Hawai'i will join the world tour surfers in the field of 64 for the 2009 Billabong Pipeline Masters.

"That's the main thing," Alexander said. "We want to get as many Hawaiians in there as possible."

What's more, there are four Hawai'i surfers on the 2009 world tour: Dustin Barca, Kekoa Bacalso, Fred Patacchia Jr. and Roy Powers.

Also, Kaua'i's Andy Irons will likely receive a sponsor's exemption into the Pipeline Masters.