Tag Archives: bonzai pipeline

Perfect Waves

Hawaii is known throughout the world for its big, perfect, surfable waves. Each island has its own special spots, high-traffic spots, and secret spots.

Each spot–and each wave really–changes depending on the time of year. In the winter we see large swells from the north that push big waves in all the from Alaska, creating wonders on Oahu like the Bonzai Pipeline pictured here. In the summer, we get smaller swells with occasionally big moments from southern storms originating off the coasts of New Zealand and Australia.

And, because our islands are small enough to drive across in a couple of hours, most surfing destinations are reachable most days by those with enough determination and free time.

Bonzai Pipeline Surfer, Pipeline Masters 2011

Bonzai Pipeline Surfer, Billabong 2012

Expert surfers and locals cautiously make their way out to the Bonzai Pipeline paddling on the riptide created by the massive amount of water flowing back from the beach where it is deposited en masse after a 2,000 mile journey across the Pacific ocean. read more