Extreme surf watching at Jaws aka Peahi

Haiku, Maui

The Journey to "Jaws", Maui's world famous mega-surf break, is not for the timid. It is located in a remote coastline along the North Shore 7 miles from Paia town, reachable by four-wheel drive vehicle only or by walking the roughshod dirt road for a mile in to the viewing area. When the surf starts reaching 20 feet or more making conditions too big to surf at other North Shore breaks such as Ho'okipa, the waves at "Jaws" are just getting started. The underwater topography beneath the area known as traditionally as "Peahi" pitches the surf upward into the epic range, but only with the most powerful of the north or northwest swells. Waves of 50 feet or more have been ridden here, and it has been the backdrop for several movies. When the swells are large expect a crowd as the masses flock to this earth-shaking wave to watch the intense action first hand. At a Glance: Highlights: This mega-wave challenges some of the best surfers in the world creating a thrill a minute spectacle that makes for an exciting day to remember. Options: Park roadside and walk the dirt road in, or drive in if you have a 4-wheel drive jeep rental. Hazards!: Beware of the road traffic walking in, lots of excitement and distracted drivers. Viewing is from atop a cliff above the surf break, do not stand close to the cliff edge and supervise your children well if venturing to Jaws Supplies: Drinking water, shade, good walking shoes, binoculars, and snacks. Cost: None How it works: The perfect mix of conditions to make "Jaws" break is rare, usually happening about 5 to 8 days a year, with some years having as few as 2 days. When winter storms thousands of miles away in the North Pacific, push the ocean surface with hurricane force winds, the resulting swells travel outward until they reach land. As ocean swells approach Hawaii they are crossing the deepest regions of the Pacific then abruptly push upward reflecting the shallow shores. At "Jaws" the under water depth jumps quickly from 60 feet to 30 feet, amplifying the wave energy.The resulting dance of gravity, wind and wave energy makes for the monumental curved surface surfers dream of riding. There are no beginners surfing here, training, preparation, and years of experience are a necessity before any surfer reaches "Jaws". Some have described it as surfing an avalanche, and on a big day it is easy to see why. "Towing in" versus "Paddling in": The originators of surfing "Jaws" used a two-person team system known as tow in surfing. A jet ski with rescue-sled attached tows a surfer strapped to a surfboard with foot mounts enabling speeds close to 20 to 25 miles per hour allowing surfers to match the speed of extremely large waves in the 35 to 50 foot range. If a surfer goes down the jet ski is shadowing behind the wave and can swerve in to attempt a rescue, but rescuer must watch for the next wave and speed out of the way or risk losing the ski or worse…