October 27th, 2008

As winter nears, big wave surfers are anxiously anticipating the first huge swells that break on Oahu’s North Shore. Watching these massive waves curl in the beautiful Hawaii sun is a breathtaking experience. Having the opportunity to see the world’s top surfers navigate these giant waves is awe-inspiring.

If you’re thinking about a winter-time getaway to Hawaii, rent a house in Oahu and watch the spectacle that takes place once a year.  Spend the day, beach side, and watch some world-class athletes at their peak performance.

Three of Oahu’s most well-known North shore breaks are Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach).  Winter sees 20 to 30 foot waves (sometimes larger) at these spots.  They are major points of attraction year round, but between November and February (often later) only the most adept of surfers are actually in the water.

You can see the action on any day with a good swell, though you’ll really catch the buzz of stoke in the air and get plenty of people watching if you’re in town during a surfing competition.  The world-famous Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition takes place on Oahu’s North Shore every year.  Waimea Bay is the site for the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Memorial contest and Rip Curl’s Pro Pipeline Masters competition happens at the Pipeline break.  Heads up - be prepared for some traffic during these exciting competition times.

Though there are different kinds of accommodations on the island, vacation homes on Oahu may be your best bet, especially if you want to steep yourself in the lifestyle of the locals.  Check out North Shore vacation rentals, which can offer the feeling of your own place and provide a home base that’s close to the big wave action.

The North Shore’s hub is Haleiwa, a quaint surf village full of plantation-era architecture and shops.  Artists, surfers, locals and visitors all mingle in this small town.  Grab a bite to eat at one of the funky restaurants, try a shave ice and peruse the unique shops.

If you’re looking for inspiration and a bit of background about the historic North Shore’s role in the sport of big wave surfing, check out Stacy Peralta’s documentary “Riding Giants“.  It not only shows old footage of the original big wave surfers at these North Shore breaks, it also shows how surfers like Laird Hamilton have evolved the sport to include tow in surfing.  Exploring these North Shore surf spots in the wintertime will most likely find you walking among the world’s surfing legends and experiencing history in the making.