SURFING IN HAWAII

Hawaii – the World’s Surfing Mecca

What surfer looking to catch bigger and better waves hasn’t aspired to ride the pristine, crisp blue barrels of Hawaii’s infamous North Shore? Waimea Bay…Sunset Beach… Banzai Pipeline… Haleiwa – these are surf break destinations that play host to thousands of amateurs, pros and wanna-be pros from around the world each year. Hawaii is the surfing Mecca, a location that boasts some of the tallest and cleanest waves in existence.

A truly Hawaiian tradition

Where else but in Hawaii can you call a local phone number (596-SURF on Oahu) and receive today’s current surf report? Oahu’s south shore is perfect for beginning surfers – the Waikiki area offers newcomers a chance to rent boards and take lessons in what are usually very non-intimidating surf conditions. Winter (November – April) is the season of big surf on Oahu’s rugged North Shore, with wave heights often topping 20 feet (7 m) and counting.

Giant swells originating in the northern Pacific Ocean make their way to this coastline delighting big wave riders and drawing crowds that flood local beaches. Be aware – high swells are for experienced big wave riders only! Surfing is one of the world’s most dangerous sports, and even the most adept rider can fall victim to the ocean’s unpredictable forces. On the majority of days in the summer months (May – October), the once roaring North Shore dies down to a small purr, creating tame, glassy conditions perfect for swimming or snorkeling.

Most well-known surf breaks have nicknames that you may not always find on a map. The best thing to do is ask around to find out which breaks may best suit your skill level at a particular time of year. Popular surf spots on Oahu include Velzyland, Backyards, Gas Chambers, Backdoor, Pupukea, Log Cabins, Leftovers, Chun’s Reef, Laniakea, Silver Channel, Avalanche, Kaena Point and Walls. 

History of Surfing

Yes, the Hawaiians are the original founders of the “Sport of Kings,” referred to as “hee nalu” in Hawaiian. After the arrival of England’s Captain Cook in the islands, Lieutenant James King was the first to record accounts of the ancient Hawaiians engaging in this unusual activity. Captain Cook and other non-Hawaiians observing the islands for the first time were impressed by the agility and mastery of Hawaiian watermen. They used very long boards carved from tall trees to hook and ride flowing waves inland while either lying on their bellies or standing upright with one foot in front of the other.

The ocean with all of its mystery, life-giving ia (fish) and kai (water), was very revered and respected as a necessary component of survival for ancient Hawaiians. The ocean was carefully studied, its currents and tides were observed intimately, and fishing, voyaging and surfing were strategically planned. Surfing was not just a form of amusement – it required great skill, stamina, flexibility and balance. A Hawaiian who could master the art of surfing and other ocean skills was well-respected in society. High ranking chiefs (alii) were privy to the best surfing spots on each island, and they surfed using only the best boards.

The Surfboard

Just as there is an art to riding the perfect wave, there is also an art to creating the perfect vehicle to capture that wave. Surfing as a sport gained widespread popularity in the early 1900s, and the art form of surfboard shaping began to blossom. The earliest surfboards were made from the prized koa wood or redwood. They were often 10 feet (3.5 m) long and could weigh in excess of 150 pounds (68 kg). Before modern sanding techniques, granulated coral was used to smooth the wood, bark or charcoal for staining and nut oil for finishing.

As the surfboard evolved with the help of technology and our knowledge in physics expanded, surfers could travel further faster, with less effort and enjoy the comfort of lighter boards. Today’s boards are lighter and more aerodynamic than ever before. Resin and fiberglass were used for smoothing and finishing, and the addition of polyurethane foam increased the buoyancy of the boards so significantly that many abandoned their balsawood and composite wood tankers for the new wave of more manageable surfboards.

The introduction of the shortboard also left a big impression on the surfing world, allowing riders to accomplish so much more on their boards. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the average length of a surfboard had shrunk from 10 feet (3.5 m) to 6 feet (1.8 m). A whole new breed of surfer was left to experiment with endless possibilities of quick tricks and maneuvers.

Over the years, surfing evolved and expanded, and today’s surfers enjoy several wave riding options:

• Longboarding – Riding a surfboard usually 9 feet (2.7 m) or longer. As a general rule, the rider will choose a board that is about 3 feet (0.9 m) taller than him- or herself. Longboards may be less maneuverable than shortboards, but are generally more buoyant, propelled easier and easier to balance upon.
   
• Shortboarding – Riding a surfboard generally between 6 and 8 feet (1.8 and 2.4 m) and with a pointed nose and a rounded or squarish tail. The shortboard is considered highly maneuverable, but less buoyant than the longboard.
   
• Tow-in Surfing – Surfing with the aid of a personal watercraft (jet ski) or helicopter, which tows the surfer out to a particular break and drops him off at the right moment. Used with extremely large waves that may be difficult to paddle into due to size and speed.
   
• Bodyboarding – Surfing using a small foam board much shorter and lighter than surfboards, placed under the chest/belly or using a drop-knee stance, usually accompanied by swim fins. Because of the size and flexibility of the small boards, body boarders may incorporate many different maneuvers.

The Duke

Although the sport of surfing saw a decline in the late 1800s after Captain Cook’s arrival, surfing would rise again with the help of a few die-hard surfers. Duke Kahanamoku is perhaps the most remembered and respected Hawaiian surfer, a champion Olympic swimmer who epitomized Hawaiian athleticism and helped the sport reach unbelievable popularity. The Duke is credited with bringing surfing to the mainland and possibly even to Australia. In 1905, Duke and his surfer buddies started a surfing club that was to influence many, called Hui Nalu (Club of Waves). Duke and his comrades were known as the "Beach Boys of Waikiki," true kings of a sport in the midst of an epic comeback.

Surf Competitions

The Triple Crown of Surfing, the sport’s biggest competition, kicks off annually on Oahu’s North Shore, starting in November and running through January. Because surf can be unpredictable, most surf contests are held over a period of days or weeks, playing the odds in hopes that a percentage of allotted days will yield favorable contest conditions.

Other popular surfing events include the Menehune Contest and the Haleiwa International Openn, the Excel Pro, the Quicksilver Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, the Backdoor Shootout, the Bodyboarding Pipeline Pro, the World Championship of Women’s Bodyboarding, the Monster Pipeline Pro, the Banzai Women’s Pipeline Championship, the Buffalo Big Board Contest, the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic and many more amateur events held around the island.

Surfing chant recorded by historian Abraham Fornander, recited by ancient kahuna to awaken the surf:

Ina aohe nalu, a laila aku i kai, penei e hea ai
(If there is no surf, invoke sea work in the following manner)
Ku mai! Ku mai! Ka nalu nui mai Kahiki mai
(arise, arise you great surfs from Kahiki)
Alo po i pu! Ku mai ka pohuehue,
(the powerful curling waves. Arise with the pohuehue)
Hu! Kai koo loa.
(Well up long raging surf.)

The sport of surfing has it all – thrills, spills, glory and competition. Surfing as a rich cultural practice in Hawaii lives on in the souls of surfers who ride for the love of the sea and for the indescribable feeling of freedom in transit. Many will argue that Hawaii is home to the best surf one could ever experience. If you’re a dedicated surfer looking for an unforgettable ride, the islands are waiting for you. For those who are not ready to brave the sea’s dynamic waves, you can look forward to taking up the entertaining and fun role of surfing spectator.