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Posted on Tuesday January 19th at 3:04 p.m.
Me at Pipeline, North Shore
My surf road trip was along the coast of the Hawaiian Islands during the pumping winter break season searching for the perfect wave. Along the way drinking with the local Hawaiians and resident Californians who call the islands home. From the big breaks on Oahu, to the coast of Maui and even sharing the sets with the locals in the small island of Molokai my summer surf trip was a journey of a lifetime.
My road trip was all about - Respect the locals, respect the waves, respect your limits and Hawaii will set you right. With only my surfboard for companionship I set on the roads of Hawaii - continuously reminding myself to drive on the opposite side of the road...not only am I a chick driver, but I am also blonde and even I can say that is a dangerous combo on the road!
Hookipa Beach
Waikiki and Honolulu
Tourist Town
Think Gold Coast Australia, high rise buildings and think Kuta Beach Bali, small sets ideal for any surfer. Here I met other fellow travellers, dusted off some of my surfing skills and even get onto an old school long board and mal. Waikiki is the perfect spot if you are a beginner surfer who also wants to explore the Honolulu night life. Surf hard play hard!
North Shore
Real Hawaii - Real surf!
Home of the famous Pipeline, Rockies, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach and where you are most likely to spot the biggest waves on Oahu. The winter swells crank during December/January. This winter recorded some of the biggest swells Hawaii have seen in a decade. You can tell from all the warning signs which have stick drawings of people getting crushed by massive waves that these beaches are not for novice surfers. The reef and shallow breaking waves are pretty unforgiving on surfers who think they have what it takes - the North Shore is definitely for advanced riders. Especially with the amount of photographers lining the beach all destined to take the perfect shot of your bail!
Without doubt North Shore is worth the drive and surf watching session even if you aren't brave enough to paddle out. If you go to Hawaii and don't mission to the North Shore, you haven't seen Hawaii.
Maui has a more chilled vibe than Oahu. No towering buildings, a lot more Californians and some of the best breaks in Hawaii host to Honolua Bay and Jaws. The drive around the Island is more scenic with small towns like Paia, home to Willie Nelson, and a great Wind surfing beach, Hookipa Beach. Surfers get the beach until 11am, when the winds pick up and then only windsurfers are allowed the beach - the first time I have seen windsurfers tearing up some big swells!
Maui
The Good Vibe Coast
Lahaina is a great spot to set up base I hired a 60's cruiser bicycle, held onto my board and cycled down the west coast until you reached a beach with the perfect waves. The bays are 5-10 minutes cycle apart, and is a great way to see the coast of Maui.
I was curious about the more advanced big wave riders so travelled up North to check out Jaws. I spent most of the time holding my breath when watching the gutsy get towed into 20 ft rides. During winter there are constant civil defence warnings of large swells, often warned to reach up to 40-60 ft! So it turns out I had planned my road trip perfectly to spot some cranking waves!
Maui is the perfect balance between the true Hawaii, and the tourist attraction of Honolulu. Good waves, friendly locals and everyone is riding the same vibe - there are no car horns or waving fingers here. Perfect getaway for the most novice to the most advanced surfer.
North Shore Locals
Molokai
Surf and Soul Search
The last Island left in Hawaii which remains pretty much untouched. There are no nightclubs or supermarkets, no high-rise buildings or bustling cities, no traffic or traffic lights. The perfect place in my road trip to soul search.
Many travellers don't stop off in Molokai which is between Maui and Oahu - but they have a lot of great breaks and swells - and with the island out of the spot light of tourists it means you will have the waves to yourself...with the approval of the locals of course!
I picked the biggest local I could spot on the beach that I wanted to surf, and asked if it's ok I surf here. 9 times out of 10 they will appreciate you having the respect to ask. This guy ended up patting me on the back and joined me for a wave - they are friendly but territorial but have a soft spot for New Zealanders which will work in any kiwi surfer's favour!
Old School Local
I would recommend a Hawaii road trip surf session for any level surfer. "For a kiwi chick travelling solo with her surf board Hawaii was a safe travel spot for me to embrace the spirituality of surfing, search for a break to suit my level/ style and to focus on improving my surfing all while soul searching across the shores of the Island."
"Loved the search, lived for the ride, listened to the locals and had the journey of a lifetime."
Emma
Write up your surfing road trip, take some shots, add video if you want to and submit to us at team@surf.co.nz (with 'Roadtrip' in the subject line) - and you could win over $2000 worth of Surf apparel and hardware. Including a custom board shaped by Pete Anderson!
