Crowded? Hazards? Friendly? Polluted? Any info would be appreciated.
Geez, haven’t paddled out there since '71.
Was working at Honolulu Airport nights, off from 4AM to 9PM, so had to get some sleep sometime too.
Most days with more than 3’ of swell, over 50, more likely 75 guys in the water, but main pack just inside the logriders consisted of at least 15 GOOD surfers who could connect the dots, or look like they could.
Scattering of minipacks hoping for leftovers all the way down the line, and since the wave shifts about 30’ depending on exact direction and size, there are leftovers.
Lineup hard to wire, as background is not distinctive, like Pipe or MiddlesHanalei, so drift becomes a problem.
VERY shalow at 3’, and super sharp. Don’t deep stroke and don’t put your feet down…ever.
Always look back to the right when taking off, as you never know who can take off late and snake you.
Most waves, about 3-7 surfers try to drop in in front of you, so ride highline and cutback hard, then get high again swinging your board’s nose around making like a weapon.
When you connect from log’s position thru to the channel, done most often on slightly longer boards, kinda long, paddle back out without displaying a cheshire cat’s grin.
http://www.hawaiianwatershots.com/eosgalleries/bowls/bowls_06-05-2005/index.htm
everybody taking turns
you just have to hit it at the right time sunrise till about 3 on weekdays, and only sunrise and before on weekends are good. I usually go to rockpiles or kaisers, less agro people there.
http://www.hawaiianwatershots.com/eosgalleries/bowls/bowls_06-05-2005/index.htm
images 0024-0037 and images 0176-0187 over 2 year old custom wood lam epoxy clyde is riding.
epoxy surfboards are the gift that just keeps on giving!
forgot to add keep off the reef, tons of vana, and that crap takes months to get out
about as crowdeda as a spot can get when it is good…
yo cmp… are you going to dust of the windsurfgear for the big wind and “big” south that we are going to get this weeked??? today was insane, 4.7 and solid overhead…
My cousin Brian Hamilton lived on a houseboat infront of bowls for many years. He ruled the spot in his prime in the late 60’s early 70’s but eventually gave up and became a rock musician (the band Hawaii) mostly because of the crowds and stuff. And that was over 30 years ago… Mike Akima would be his modern day counterpart today I guess…
The crowd today is just as insane as Pipe but with no wolfpack to control the chaos.
What out for my former neighbor, wildman David Ontai the word is he’ll drop in on anyone and everyone out there…
Here’s some pics of Brian at bowls in the 70’s too bad he never made it as a pro like his friends Reno, Gerry etc but I guess getting a couple covers on Surfer ain’t bad either:
Want a secret…
Go surf Big Lefts at the park when it’s 5-6 instead everyone will be at Bowls, Courts or Big Rights
Oneula, a short story for you:
I surfed there in the summer of 84’. A buddy and I met a bartender named Frankie our first day in Town and he invited us the next day. (Anybody remember Frankie from Moose Mc’s in 1984?) He told us to stay next to him, keep our mouths shut and don’t eyeball anybody. Sound advice to me! So we paddle out behind him and instantly got sent back in by a guy that looks like Brian. Frankie had some kind of pull and managed to keep us out there with him…in one piece! Surfed it three days in a row, (always with our chaparon), at chest to head high and fairly crowded. Of course we got the worst waves but they were still the best rides on earth to us. 
hey John,
Can’t wait to get out to the outer reef with the windsurfer. I’m glad it’s like riding a bike, once you learn you never forget! I’ll need a 5.4m2 sail cuz that’s not a lifejacket under my rash gaurd but a plate lunch!
be safe
Hmm, wonder when you are planning to be there? I’ll be hanging close by 9-15 July (most likely Kaiser Bowl). Good crowd on most days. Quite a bit different from my Point Panic days (many moons ago!!).
JohnF
I surfed for several days just to the Waikiki side (names previously mentioned), wishing I had the nerve to go out at Ala Moana. In the parking lot one day I saw a local (big) guy walking by and in my naturally gregarious way said, “wow, nice board”. Thought half-second later I’d maybe made a mistake, but he came over and we talked for a bit about his board and mine. He asked if I was headed out to Ala Mo and I told him I was a little reluctant. He’d have none of that and told me to tell anyone that gave me lip that (name forgotten) sent me out. Paddled out (small average day) and someone asked me about my turtleneck long sleeve top. Told him it was to protect me from the sun. He said “you want this wave?” Took it, passed the interview process, never needed to drop the big guys name. I’m sure I’d have been dismissed if the waves were 2 feet bigger. Had a fun time.
While Bowls isn’t my primary, I can offer a few tips.
On small days under head high, not much vibe. Crowd comes and goes. Outside sets often captured by longboards. You will be able to tell who the regulars are. Inside=groms, girls, Japanese nationals, some generalized flailers.
Anticipated Swell=crowd=rippers come out.
Works on all tides.
Popular with quite a few girls.
Shallow on inside of Bowls.
Shifty, but consistent wave like LeeDD says. Can wide swing left or right. I like the ones that swing left, they’re peakier.
Has a fun right with a workable wall, depending on swell direction.
Polluted after heavy rains, or first rain in long time.
Fear not the locals in the parking lot. They’re just enjoying the place like we are.
Rockpile lefts a good alternative, but much softer.
Weekday surf school at In Betweens and Rockpiles on the inside.
Lose the rashguard. Wear a T-shirt. Just kidding.
Throw a move in front of Jamie Ballenger, look on www.hawaiianwatershots.com
Oneula is right: If you want a tasty left, try Big Lefts at the Beach Park if there is swell over 3-4’. Thinner crowd.
Get some Ahi Poke from Ono’s Fish Market on Kapahulu next to American Savings Bank.
Howzit sidestreet, I bet Ala Moana is going off today with the new swell, Should be a mad house out there. Aloha,Kokua
Kokua-
Good call on the new swell checking in.
Me- I think I’ll pass on Bowls. Choke rippers and wannabees out.
If I went there, I’d get get burned by 2 guys, worked by a few clean up sets, then run over twice by guys on set waves after! Then i could buy a picture of me on hawaiianwatershots.com with a dumb look on my face to capture the moment.
I’d rather get smashed by a few sets on the head somewhere else.
Aloha.
Howzit sidestreet, I hear you, my favorite spot was 3's, especially when it got big. Have some great memories of 10 foot waves there.Aloha,Kokua
Hi CMPHawaii…
Are you talking about riding AlaMo with windsurf gear? Could be a first!
I’ve sailed DH, Brownies, Kahala, Lanikai, Kailua, Kaneohe, CrouchingLion, Hukilau, 7thHole, TurtleBay both sides, Revelations, 'yards, Sunset (surfers weren’t thrilled), Kammies, Avalanche, Moks, but NEVER SouthShore unless you count PearlCity W of the airport…oh, the holding ponds too.
You could be the pioneer on the SShore!
LeeDD,
I go directly behind my house on the s. shore 1 mile west of the mouth of pearl harbor. and from there can get to the reef runway. The outer reef behind my house gets big on south swells. a 8-12ft (front of wave) high surf advisory for town would be 16-20 foot faces a mile out behind my house. Three guys including me and sometimes my wife windsurf out there. JJP is the big windsurfer on the hawaii kai side. he probably has more insight on the locations you mention. I haven’t launched my boards from a different beach other than behind my house for 10 + years cuz I am too lazy and if the surf is that big I would rather surf. The conditions are right for tomorrow though, too windy to surf after 10 am and big enough surf and wind to have a blast on the outer reef with the windsurfers.
warmest aloha,
cp
In the early 1960’s me and Jim Phillips lived on Hickam Air Force base.The waves used to get huge at the mouth of Pearl Harbour.There was an outside reef that was super long stretching back toward town.I was still a kook but I can remember Jim out there with a couple of guys riding huge waves.We called it “outsides” but I wonder if it is ridden now??I went out one time and it was very scary even at waist high.Moray Eels as big as your leg all over the place.Barbers point always had waves of some sort.
Shhhh…
it’s getting crowded as it is.
CMP and I aren’t giving up any more secrets about our home spots…
Just like Bert some times you hold’em sometimes you fold’em…
Bradshaw and the Sunset cronies have already invaded Swabbies (our version of sunset).
Tomorrow I smell some Shark Country.
Anyway where CMP goes they have some of the biggest tigers in the world… pretty good crowd control in my opinion especially half a mile out to sea.