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Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai
Beach) |
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Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii is world famous for its tubular wave created
where the shallow water and coral shelf combine to resemble pipes, thus
giving this beach its name. The phrase “Banzai” which is actually
a Japanese word spelled Bonsai and meaning the art of growing dwarfed
shaped trees in small shallow pots was given to this beach in 1961 when
Bruce Brown, a famous surf cinematographer, shouted out "Banzai"
as Phil Edwards took off on one of these barbarous waves.
When the waves are steep and powerful, they break furiously on the shallow
hawaiian reef . So if the surf's up, beware! Amateurs and beginners are
better off not chancing this break, the Pipeline at full strength is unforgiving,
even for the pros.
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Spring
and summer is considered the calmer months when the waves are usually
flat.
Activities such as snorkeling, scuba, jet ski, swimming, and sun bathing
are heaven like. During the summer, pipeline as well as the entire North
Shore offers a calm that befits its rural setting. |
Some of the most beautiful sights Hawaii has to offer in the deep cool
blue waters of the Pacific are here on the North Shore. From June to september
there are incidents of stinging Limu (seaweed) washed in by the tide and
windy conditions, if you are an unlucky victim of such discomfort usually
rubbing vinegar or meat tenderizer on the area will help calm the irritation. |
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Surf: The Power, the Fear, the Glory!
Winter months in Hawaii bring waves that may reach up to 20-feet or
more. When the surf is pounding, this beautiful North Shore beach is
the most spectacular in the world.
The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, the world’s greatest competition
is held here, hordes of beachfront spectators including photographers
and journalists number the shoreline. But unlike other surfing events
around the world where surfers deal with whatever conditions the ocean
offers that day, the Hawaii triple crown only takes place when the sea
is good and ready.
Sometimes it takes days, sometimes weeks, and we're not talking about
the waves not being big enough because usually the waves are deemed
too big. Pipeline is THE wave every serious surfer wants to ride because
it is the hardest. When it comes to surf, no matter what happens anywhere
else in the world, it all comes back to the Banzai Pipeline!
Fun Factor: Extreme
Danger Factor: Sky High
Skill Level: High
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Banzai
Pipeline Hawaii Features
Parking: parking lot (25 stall), parking along highway
Showers: yes
Bathrooms: yes
Nearest Concession: driving distance
Lifeguard: yes
Picnic Areas: yes (grassy, tables, shade)
Shoreline Sand to Reef Ratio: 10-0, all sand
Surf: flat 1-2 ft in the summer, rough 6-20 ft in winter
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