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Surfing In Hawaii synonyms are: Jaws, Pipeline, Waimea, Sunset Beach. Giant waves, world-class surf, exhilarating thrill.
A surfer’s maneuvering through the tubes is the most universally recognized symbol of Hawaii.
Each island gets its share of the huge swells from October to March, but, undoubtedly, Oahu’s North Shore is the place that receives the most attention.
That’s not only because its rugged shore serves waves up 10-30 ft., the biggest on the planet, but because the location of its breaks makes surfing a fantastic spectator sport. Pipeline seems to breaks right off the beach, its almost like you are in the line up!
The origins of surfing in Hawaii is unknown...
It was part of the Polynesian culture by the time they settled in the Hawaiian islands 2,000 years ago. Ancient petroglyphs show images of surfers and old Hawaiian chants narrate stories of remarkable surfing achievements.
Did you know that surfing, also known as he’e nalu, which means "wave sliding", used to be a sport of royalty? It’s true!
Only high-ranking chiefs had access to this highly competitive sport - they were using it to demonstrate their strength and power.
King Kamehameha himself was known to be a keen surfer.
Although surfing diminished in popularity in the 1800’s under the influence of the missionaries and the appearance of immigrants brought in to work on the sugar plantations, surfing in Hawaii regained its popularity as a sport when Duke Kahanamoku burst onto the scene in the early 1900s.
Highly thought of as the "father of modern surfing", Duke was also an Olympic gold medal winner in swimming, and drew on his fame to spread the popularity of surfing.
Early surfers risked their lives to take on the giant waves with riding boards made from balsa wood and hewn redwood.
Since then, surfing in Hawaii became increasingly popular due to the modern boards, lighter and faster.
The number of surfers has exploded, especially in Haleiwa, on Oahu’s North Shore, where every winter pros from around the world come here to practice the surf slang and catch "the perfect wave".
Just take a look:
But it’s not only here.
On other Hawaiian beaches on Kauai, Maui and even Big Island, surfers test their guts to win big prizes in surfing championships. Recently, tow-in surfing has been introduced - when the surfer is towed out by boat to reach waves he would normally not be able to get to by arm paddling.
As a result, pro surfers are now getting to monster waves as high as 60 feet, giving rise to a category of athletes called "The Big Wave Surfer".
In summer, the best surfing in Hawaii is on the South shores of Waikiki, Maui and Kauai, as waves generated by storms in the South Pacific, hit the Hawaiian islands. Waves are gentler but still offer great surfing conditions.
Oahu’s North Shore is NOT the place for your vacation if you’re a beginner surfer, but it’s a great place to visit just for the show! If you are a novice, go to Waikiki and Diamond Head Beach in Oahu, Hanalei Bay and Poipu Beach in Kauai, and Maalaea, Lahaina and Puamana Beach in Maui.
Never been on a surfing board, but want to learn - so you’ll be able to be thrilled by surfing in Hawaii on your next vacation?
No problem.
There are several surfing classes in Waikiki, in Maui’s Lahaina & Kihei and Kauai’s Poipu & Tunnels Beaches.
Surfing instructors guarantee that you will be standing on your board at the end of a lesson.
But there’s more!
Are you a woman who loves the ocean, but think that luxury pleasures and surfing in Hawaii and can’t go together?
Think again!
Discover Kelea on Oahu, a surf & spa retreat for women like you, who want to learn to surf and be pampered too, in an exotic location.
Here, "your greatest worry is sand in your surf wax"!
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