Banzai Pipeline, Oahu

 “The sea once it casts its spell, holds one  in its net of wonder forever”, Jack Cousteau.

I have always had a deep fascination with the ocean and the beauty and mistery that dwells within. My special connection with the sea will be often reflected in Pineappleislands hoping to inspire you in your next travel adventure.

 As you may probably know, I´m a Spanish teacher. A couple of years ago, I had the wonderful chance to have Graham Dalton as my student, a Kiwi solo sailor who has taken part in numerous round-the-world single-handed yacht races such as the Vendée Globe and La Velux 5 Oceans.

I could not believe how fortunate I was being his teacher. The roles inverted, he wasn´t my student any more but my master. Each day in class it was like embarking in a new adventure, I was marvelled at his stories and unforgettable memories. He was a total inspiration to me. He may not remember the young Spanish teacher he once had in Bilbao, but he will always be in my thoughts.

Apart from Jacques Cousteau, the most famous undersea explorer of the 20th century, solo sailors as Grahan Dalton and Unai Basurko and great explorers of all times, I have great admiration for fearless surfers who dare to ride the  biggest and deadliest waves in the world.

 

Banzai Pipeline, North Shore, Oahu

Roughly a one hour drive from Waikiki, the North Shore beaches host the world’s premier surfing competitions such as The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. During the winter months, monstrous waves can sometimes swell up to thirty feet or more attracting surfers from all around the globe. Banzai Pipeline is world famous for its spectacular tubular wave. It is the shallow reef which makes the Pipeline tube so fascinating.

From May to September, when the waves subside and the water is generally calmer, Banzai Pipeline is a perfect place for swimming and sunbathing.

Did you know The Pipeline was named in 1961 by a California surfing movie producer? Bruce Brown visited Oahu’s  North Shore in order to scout possible movie locations together with Mike Diffenderfer and Phil Edwards, two Californian  surfers. While filming the surfers catching several waves, they all agreed that the surf site needed a name.

Apparently, a construction project on the highway next to the beach was going on that day and an underground pipeline needed to be fixed. Mike Diffenderfer had the great idea of calling this surf site “The Pipeline”. Bruce Brown in his new movie Surfing Hollow Days, made this  name popular.

Phil Edwards, a surf legend

In 1962, Californian Phil Edwards became the first surfer to successfully ride Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu. Although he never won any big contest, he made surfing into art. He was also named the “Best Surfer in the World” by the SURFER magazine readers poll two years in a row.

Location: Ehukai Beach Park, Haleiwa, HI 96712

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Inspired by James Cook voyages, Rakel decided to travel the world and live a life of adventure. Rakel

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2 Comments

  • Murat says:

    Where did you go for your honeymoon? My hubansd & I decided to revisit our honeymoon site every 10 years. And yes, we took the kid last time. She loved it. Now we have a new set of memories to an area that was special to us. The first time was loving and private, the second time we read the latest Harry Potter aloud as a family and checked out the local waterpark. Next time we are due to go our oldest will be 17, and the baby will be 6. Who knows what adventures we will have. I look forward to it.

    • Rakel says:

      Hi Murat! Well we actually haven´t had a honeymoon. We are always on the road so I can say that we´re in a constant honeymoon. I enjoyed so much reading your message, thanks a lot for sharing your experiences with me. Kisses and hugs!! MUAK

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