01 December 2014

Hawaii’s deadliest waves


The BBC has an article (with the usual can't blog-it video, above) by Talia Avakian about big waves in Hawai'i:
One of the ten deadliest waves in the world, Hawai'i’s Banzai Pipeline (photo) is famous for its heavy swells that can reach up to thirty feet high, breaking over shallow, rocky coral reefs at high speeds to form barreling curls of water. Top professionals take on the waves every November in the Vans Triple Crown, called the “Super Bowl of surfing” by The Los Angeles Times.
First made famous by pro surfer Gerry Lopez, who rode Pipeline’s deepest wave in a pared-down style that set the standard in the 1970s, this 2013 video (go there to see it) compilation of aerial shots by photographer Eric Sterman showcases the power that Pipeline’s breaks can harness. Check out the shot at 0:43 to see how beautiful gliding through the wave can be.
The season for Hawai'i’s big wave surfing is in the winter, from November to February. So if you happen to be in Pupukea, a town on Oahu’s North Shore, now is the time to either take on Pipeline or, at the very least, revel in the spectacle of those who do. The rest of us will just have to let the footage mentally transport us to the awe-inspiring sight.
New to surfing? The Hans Hedemann Surf School has a location at Turtle Bay, five miles west of Pupukea, where experienced instructors provide one-on-one lessons. Beginner surfers can also take lessons on the more moderate three-foot waves in Turtle Bay.
Rico says it's yet another thing he won't be doing in this life...

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