Shorebreaks of Oahu

Originally published in Bodyboarder International
Magazine, Vol 2, #4

Hauoli Reeves

Dangerous Shorebreak. It isn't just a sign that the City and County of Honolulu displays for unwary tourists; it's a sobering fact. Shorebreaks are inherently dangerous, typically with rip currents, a shallow sand bottom, backwash and, of course, powerful waves. But danger is also its allure.

Shorebreaks offer moments of intense thrill: vertical takeoffs, thick tubes and spectacular wipeouts. If you're good, you may be able to get one maneuver in. If you're lucky, you may even make the wave. But don't count on it--taking dirty lickings comes with the territory.

Bodyboarders who exclusively ride shorebreaks are a different animal, a breed apart. You have to be both macho and masochistic to do it repeatedly. Shorebreak riding is definitely not for the faint of heart or inexperienced.

Hawaii has been blessed with many good shorebreaks scattered throughout the island chain. If there isn't a good open ocean swell sweeping through the islands, the trades can be counted on to produce a wind swell on the eastern shores. Oahu has the most consistent, and the most crowded shorebreaks of all the islands, with the infamous Sandy Beach leading the pack in both categories.

Sandy Beach

Jon-Kelly Hanoa

Bodyboarding's Mecca. Every serious bodyboarder eventually feels the need to prove him/herself at the birthplace of our sport--and justifiably so. Sandy's is the heart and soul of the bodyboarding world.

Many separate breaks surround the beach, but the major shorebreak waves include: Pipe Littles, Cobbles, Middles and Gas Chambers. Each spot has its own crowd and idiosyncrasies.

Taking off on a wave at Sandy's requires the ultimate in commitment. First you have to deal with the ever-present crowd. Giving respect to others is important for a successful session, because the local boys can get easily pissed-off. Once you get a decent section (rarely do you get the whole
wave to yourself), you have to push yourself over the edge as the wave jacks to twice its size. After clawing down the face, you're faced with a slalom course of bobbing heads and drop-ins. For most people, the goal is to pull in and go as far as you can. Inevitably, the wave will shut down and explode like a depth charge with you at ground zero.

I have fond memories of getting pitched at Middles, pinned on the sand by the lip, then having water and sand blasted through my nasal passages and into my inner ear: instant nausea and inevitable post-nasal drip.

Unfortunately, Sandy Beach Park has become one giant SCENE where people go to scam, or be scammed. It's like a circus sideshow, with car drive-thru's, bikers, g-strings, kites, and all sorts of other types of "diversions." These are not necessarily bad--they are just more things that bodyboarders have to wade through. The personalities and attitudes on the beach may change, but the waves will always remains the same--awesome.

[Note: Sandy Beach has the highest incidence of neck and back injuries in the islands, and probably the nation!]

Makapu'u

Makapu'u Lineup

Just around the corner from Big Brother Sandy's lays a perfect tropical vision. Black lava cliffs surround a pristine white sand beach. Two small islands sit just offshore, and palm trees and good surf abound. Makapuu is what Hawaii is all about.

The wave works almost all year round, and is much more forgiving than Sandy's. However, Makapuu can still spank you if you aren't careful. Approach it with respect, and you may come away unscathed with just some sand and "limu" in your shorts. Surfboards are not allowed, but watch out for the renegade resin-riders who charge when the lifeguards aren't around.

Waimea Bay Shorebreak

Hauoli Reeves

The Ultimate. Surfers can only mind-surf this wave. Bodysurfers take the drop. But bodyboarders have brought performance surfing to this quirk of nature. 

This wave is totally intimidating. Being a North Shore break, it really only fires on the biggest of northwest swells. Some waves have triple-ledges and tubes forming within tubes. The lip sometimes pitches so far out, that you can take off straight, and still get fully barrelled. Pulling in is the only sanctuary--actually, there are few other options.

In mid-January (92), Waimea Bay was pushing 20 feet, so all the Aikau hopefuls and wannabees were at the point. The attention, however, was diverted to the shorebreak where Mike Stewart and others were nabbing some ridiculous barrels. It looked like they all had death wishes, throwing themselves into spitting caverns with no chance of escape.

Once again, this wave is for experts only. The only reason why there aren't more injuries here is because it is a fickle break, and the volume of bodywhompers going into the Waimea Bay shorebreak is nominal.

Ehukai Beach Park

"WonTon"

Although it's not a true shorebreak, Ehukai should not be ignored. Just a stone's throw away from the Banzai Pipeline, Ehukai features a killer sandbar, which, when formed just right, produces one of the best barrels on the island. (It is best on a north swell after a west swell has built up the sandbar). It's a good performance wave--long sections with shorebreak strength. The aesthetics can hypnotize you, but don't be fooled. This beauty can be a beast and pack a wallop of a punch.

Westside Secret Spots

A.J. Arecchi

There are a few exceptional shorebreaks along the Waianae coastline, but to this day, they remain relatively anonymous. Sometimes the best things in life are kept secret.

Other good shorebreaks on Oahu include Ke Ikis on the North Shore and Pounders on the East Side. I've never been, so I can't give details, but I've heard they are both primo spots.

The main thing to remember is always respect the ocean. Flashing ambulances in the Sandys parking lot are an all-too common sight. Work your way into it and learn how to wipeout properly. Then, you too may enjoy the pleasures and pain of riding shorebreaks.

Neal Miyake is an amateur surfing photojournalist. His website, HI Surf Advisory (http://www.iav.com/~sponge), chronicles the Hawaiian surfing experience from his standpoint. "Pi`i Mai Ka Nalu!"

Reprinted with Permission of the Author.