I will be going to Hawaii for the first time this coming Feb. (4th-18th). I’m was hoping to get some input as to what are some good places to surf while I’m there…(please don’t mention Pipe…lol) I will be staying on Oahu but plan on island hoping if time permits. I will be working during the day but will have weeknights and weekends off.
Also, any opinions on bringing a board…good idea or not??? Are the rentals there any good…I don’t want to ride an NSP board or something like that…I’ve had good luck going to Cali and CR with boards (I’m from New England)…so right now I’m torn about it. I was thinking about bringing either a 7’10" fun shape/shortboard shape or a 9’0" HPLB or just renting depending on the wave I go to.
My surfing ability is above average to advanced if that helps with the questions I posted. I did a search on the forum but didn’t find too much on my subject.
Instead, bring a 7’ mini gun, but around 19" wide, to handle everything you are gonna be able to surf.
Paddles are triple what you normally get, waves move in faster, and you’ll be competing with decent surfers mostly.
That big funboard you are planning to bring will get you sucked over the falls on most takeoffs, encourage other surfer’s to take off on you, and it’s just plain to big to travel with.
Alternative is to go to Haliewa and get a used mini gun.
If you’re surfing Sshore, waves 1-3’, minigun would still work and get you some long rides.
low entry rocker flip nose with a little tail kick behind the fins and flat to a slight vee seems to work well out here…
something that paddles well but more importantly duck dives better
boards are getting more expensive by the week especially anything that can be used in the country.
but if you can buy it here and dump it on the way home you’d be better off than hauling your favorite board out here and having it snapped on your first session in the country…
If you want to rent a board on the south shore the Planet Surf on Kuhio Ave across from my condo rents boards all day for $10! Really cheap for out here, and I think they have a decent selection, not all NSP’s like a lot of rental places. As far as boards to bring, I mostly surf 9-10’ longboards on the south shore. When you’re here in February the north shore could range from 2-3 all the way up to 20++ (hawaiian scale, of course!), so obviously, your board choice would depend on the day, although the other suggestions about a mini-gun probably are your best bet to work for the majority of the wave conditions. I’d recommend checking out www.surfnewsnetwork.com for the forecast before you come, then keep an eye on honolulu.craigslist.org. Usually a good selection of boards on craigslist in the ‘sporting’ section, and you might be able to buy the perfect board for while you’re here.