The Pipeline

Record dates for South shore surf part 1

Lane — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:43:53 +0000

Well Friday was still the biggest day, Sunday dropped but it came back up again and got a little more consistent today (Monday) We have had such a killer run of surf. Of course we want it bigger, but after last summer’s drought, we are certainly not complaining. Today my friend Ronnie Boy showed me a scrapbook he had kept from many days of killer waves and memories on Oahu’s south shore which got me thinking I should share my recent findings of clear cut patterns in south shore surf and try to reclaim some of those memorable days of old. I was amazed as I looked over my personal surf blog from 2006 to 2008 and noticed that for those past three years peak high surf days were within the same day to the same week each year. For the last three years we have had solid swells at the end of April, in the first week of June, middle of June and sometime mid September. Its almost like clockwork. The actual dates I have recorded are June 4, 2006-June 6,2007- June 7, 2008 . Then theres June 14 2006-June 17,2007-June 16, 2008 and we cant forget that huge swell June 18,2003 that closed out the Ala Wai channel and claimed a boat which did not make it out through the harbour until surfers pushed it out past the line up.. Finally Sept 18, 2006, Sept 13, 2007 and you can almost bet money we will have one around that time this year. Also backing up the mid September surf is huricanne Inki which produced huge surf Sept 11, 1992, and a really big swell Sept 14, 2005. I am going to keep searching and try to make a chart so I am trying to find the dates of a huge swell in either 1995 or 96 which was totally closing out bowls (nobody surfing one night) and it lasted for a couple days. I am also searching for the dates when the poles got knocked down. I can remember those poles fell on a smaller swell that came after a really big swell within about a 2 week time period. I know there was also a memorable swell in Sept 1998. Anyone who wants to join in on building a south shore scrapbook is welcome; just make sure all information is factual. Once we get a good record going, I will probably build a webpage for it. Finally, after looking at these dates, dont be fooled that summer is in July; it is almost always the smallest month running a close race with August. Also dont forget about some of the killer freak swells we get on the south shore late February, Oct, November and even that crazy one on Dec 18,2006 which aren’t really summer dates at all.

Surfin Pa’ina

Lane — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:02:52 +0000

Wow, its like a big Pa’ina everyday down the beach with all the fun waves weve been getting, everyone is just hanging out waiting for the best time to paddle out and then talking story in the parking lot about all their great waves. It seems like a real victory that we at least saved those parking stalls on the heliport because that really is where a lot of Aloha circulates in the summertime. The swell came back up a tad starting Wednesday, was 4 feet by Thursday midday but with onshore winds and then Friday had some solid 5 footers in the Big Bowl, but it was not as big as the last swell. Mid morning the middle started just going off with the south direction and high tide and guys were riding em from outside all the way through on waves that would normally just close out. Check out some of the pics online. Still a couple more pulses of swells brewing. Looks like Hawaii Dads will have a nice Fathers day gift.

Sunburnt Smiles

Lane — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:18:35 +0000

What a week! The surf started coming up Tuesday and held through today in town peaking on Saturday with some 6 foot sets. Bowls was inconsistent, but delivered some beautiful brown barrels for the brave and patient. Congrads to Ha’a Aikau and Scott Shimoda for winning their divisions along with 23 others in the state championships this weekend. www.hasasurf.org China Uemura almost had to cancel his Women’s Longboard Classic this year due to lack of sponsorship, but 88 tees and Steinlager were able to step up and perpetuate this much needed women’s event which Uemura considers to be a stepping stone for the local wahines. The contest benefits Kapiolani Women’s and Children’s center. The Shaka Longboard Series had to postpone their event due to the conflict with running alongside so many other contests. Local Bowls Master Mike Akima and wife Sandy put on a great celebration at Pipeline Cafe for his daughter Aisha. Kapena played while both young and old generations gathered and shared memories. Its great to see good people get blessed! Looks like plenty of surf slated for south shores while the Northshore maintains its current swimming pool status.

Hana Hou Barry O

Lane — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:45:24 +0000

Hawaii Grown Barack Obama becomes first African American democratic nominee! We got a little south swell today in the 3 ft range with a couple larger sets on the hour. Hooo, the whole island and other islands were out at bowls today however either practicing for the state championships which start tomorrow or just catching up on waves that we havent had for a week.Got stuck for an hour and a half at a road closure on the east side yesterday. Can we get a state official to post signs every 10 miles so hundreds of drivers like me are not forced to drive 35 minutes from the Northshore only to be told to turn around and drive 35 minutes back and then another near two hours to get around the island. I called the Dept of Transportation who had to call Hawaiian Electric and then called me back, and still couldnt tell me how long it would take for the road to open. Luckily I took the risk of waiting and it panned out, but these traffic jam ups are happening all the time now and it sure seems like we need some better organization so the whole half of the island does not become landlocked because of one egg truck.

Surf into Summer is Right

Lane — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:33:11 +0000

We sure did surf into summer last weekend. Its been pretty much flat - 1 foot on all sides of the island last week. It looks like the south shore will come back to life just in time for a slew of surf contests this weekend. Bowls will be bombarded again by the Burger King Hawaii state championships from June 4-6, thats Wednesday through Friday The peak of the swell is expected to either Friday or Saturday so contestants will be hoping it peaks Friday while locals will be hoping it is a day late. Ha Ha. No word yet on whether the event will start at 7am or 8am, but I guess they are giving free Burger King samples for anyone who wants breakfast after the morning session. The Shaka Longboard Series is also ready to go this weekend at Flies after having to cancel last weekend due to lack of surf. The SUPs are stepping it up with a cool benefit this weekend. Soljah presents the Primo Standup Challenge which will be a race from Hawaii Kai Boat Ramp to the Elks Club where all who pay the $20 entry will receive a free lunch and tee shirt. All the proceeds will go to benefit Malama Maunalua which is an environmental organization protecting our Hawaiian coral reefs. The event kicks off June 7 Saturday @ 8am. Sounds like fun if your a SUP, but if your not a competitor hurry up and get some waves before the contests take over and the kids get out of school this week!

Wha SUP

Lane — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:15:13 +0000

Surf continues in the flat -1 ft range on the Northshore. There were a few guys out riding Chuns reef, but all the action was with Brian Kealana and the boyz who are doing a SUP sample camp all weekend long so guys can try it out and figure it out. Personally, I am like Whats SUP with those things man. geez- like yea, it might be cool when your the guy riding the thing, but not when your the guys dodging it. I mean aren’t we going backwards here, isnt that what people did before they knew they could paddle in, without the paddle I mean. My friend Alan Mozo told me I am being narrowminded about it, and should consider all different ways of surfing like you would dancing. They are different, not one better than the other. Yea- I get that, but if you allowed a couple elephants to join us on the dance floor, I think most the humans would have to move to another club. Like anything else, there are some guys who can do it well and its cool, but there are other guys who cant do it well and dont care that they are putting the whole rest of the lineup in jepoardy. Mozo explained to me the SUPs are a way of the past, but the wave of the future and will replace tow surfing because guys can get into bigger waves easier and that they are already experimenting with it. Garrett, Keali’i, Kainoa were pulling in deep at Pipe with them last season already. Sounds like Alan should have signed me up for summer camp today.I was at Bowls however checking out the Local Motion Surf INto Summer which was SUP free so far as I know. All da regulars were there, plenty guys beach entered yesterday when the waves were 2-4 ft, but today it shrunk quick and everyone was kinda bummed about the 1-2 ft waves. We all had fun anyways socializing and trying to beat each other to the best waves. Ben Aipa mentioned that there is no need to enter a contest at Bowls since every day is a contest out there and that is no joke! Town was a madhouse again today, lots of Memorial weekend festivities in our beautiful Hawaiian paradise with no parking. I want to know what you all think about SUPS. Feel free to join the forum.

Happy Days!

Lane — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:28:47 +0000

Yay, the swell never got that big or that epic, but since we have had surf now for about 4 days, we are all pretty stoaked. Its been pretty fun everywhere and not that crowded except maybe down Mokuleia side which seemed to be the spot on this swell. Pipe was pretty wonky and most the surfers were struggling to deal with it, but the bodyboarders were pullin into a few little pits. The swell dropped down a little yesterday, but then it came back up a tad last night and early this morning and then held all the way through dark. I guess its expected to drop tomorrow, but by the looks of it we should still have something to ride in the morningTJ Barron won event #1 of the Macys E series today at Maile point. Joel Centieo came in 2nd, Flynn Novak 3rd and Love Hodel 4th.The days have been beautiful, but the vog has been pretty oppressive, even out here on the Northshore. By midday we could finally see Ka’ena point again and more importantly, we could breath.

off season surf

Lane — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:49:35 +0000

We got waves. It started coming in early yesterday morning at about 2-4 ft and then rose to about 6 ft by evening but was totally torn up by the wind. This morning was the best, some 6 ft sets with clean conditions, but still kinda wonky and disorganized, almost like storm surf. All the sand has filled back in from Pipe to Rockys so you gotta go V-Land with the rest of the world, but atleast there is something to ride.

Waves?

Lane — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:59:31 +0000

We have been surfing ripples for the past week here in Hawaii and in Tahiti they aren’t getting much better so the Bilabong event at Teaupoo is still waiting to go. I surfed Lanis tonight and it was about a foot which was better than its been.Looks like our Hawaiian guys struggled to advance on the small waves in France at the WLT Oxbow Pro. Bonga Perkins made the semis, but was inched out by local French surfer Antoine Delpero who placed second. Winning the event was Harley Ingleby of Australia. Power surfer Jesse Merle Jones won the Koastalkaos.com Pro in Oceanside today and Sunny Garcia placed 4th putting him at #10 on the WQS tour to requalify next year. Looks like Northshore might pump out a decent swell by the end of the week. stay tuned!

Northshore makes National News

Lane — Sat, 10 May 2008 09:57:49 +0000

New Yorkers were reading about Turtle Bay in the Wall Street Journal today. Good to see the whole ordeal finally making it to the forefront. Lingle’s plan has already been authorized and had 5 meetings discussing the details. She has dedicated a whole webpage to keeping folks updated on the issue. http://hawaii.gov/gov/turtlebay Along with Linda Lingle, we can thank surfers like Karen Gallagher of Paumalu Press and Mark Cunningham with Defend Oahu Coalition who have been key players. Its pretty exciting! Today’s surf was not exciting however; FLAT on the Northshore and town was about as small as it gets too. Jamie O Brien who qualified for the wildcard at Teahupoo is probably hoping the South Pacific would get its groove back, but it is not looking too good for the near future. Its looking like he might have to pull out his bag of tricks to advance in the main event where he will come against world champion Mick Fanning and fellow Hawaiian powerhouse Pancho Sullivan in his first heat.