There’s a whole lot more than just surfing on the North Shore.
It’s Pipe season on the famed North Shore of Oahu, and nearly every professional and everyday surfer in the world is hanging out on the seven-mile-miracle hoping to catch a Pipe bomb or some other wave of their life.
The Pipe pilgrimage is a serious part of any surfer’s life goals, and with good reason. To watch a serious Pipe session go down (whether the Masters is running or not) is to partake in something truly special.
Even though the magazines and videos make it seem like every day is double overhead, the reality is that there are down days on the North Shore. There are periods between swell windows when the surf is relatively flat, especially by Hawaiian standards. If you have spent the time and money to travel to Hawaii and find yourself with a lack of sufficient swell to bag your next magazine cover shot, or just need a day to let your shoulders and reef cuts recuperate, there are still plenty of options for either getting extremely mellow or finding another way to boost your adrenaline.
Our Blu Girls have compiled a list of five great ways to spend your time when not heaving yourself over the ledge of a death pit. The next time you’re on Oahu, try out one of these five killer options if the surf goes flat.
This looks nearly as fun as a decent North Shore wave… nearly. Photo: Climbworks
Go Zip Lining:
Fast, furious, and way too much fun. Simply put, zip lines are awesome. An afternoon at Keana Farms is an amazing experience. Each guided tour lasts around three hours and guides you through a whole zip line course full of panoramic ocean and mountain views. Keana is a working farm, so not only will you be ripping down zip lines, you will also be learning about Hawaiian culture and sustainable agriculture. The zip lines are a good choice when you want the thrill of a fast ride without the consequences of bouncing off the reef at Pipe.
Go Bouldering:
Not the best option for fatigued shoulders, but if the waves are flat and you want to keep your fitness level at an all time high, bouldering should be at the top of your list. People are putting up new routes all over the North Shore, and the arch near Ka’ena Point is a unique and stunning bouldering area. Whether you’re new to bouldering or an experienced climber, Oahu has a number of options to suit any skill level.
Banzai skatepark. This place is responsible for much of John John’s aerial game. Photo: John John Florence/Instagram
Go Skate:
You’ve seen John John surf, and he has credited much of his air game to skateboarding. When the surf is flat, he heads over to Banzai Skatepark to get in a session. Even though the skatepark has gone through some growing pains, it’s still a fun option when the waves are so-so, or when you need to give your shoulders a solid day to rest.
While this is not Gerry Lopez, you can bet he’s done something similar. Photo: Carlos Palacios
Sunset Yoga:
Yoga is an awesome choice for both days in and out of the water. It keeps your body limber and in tune for when the swell really picks up, and it’s also an awesome activity for the whole family. Mr. Pipeline himself, Gerry Lopez, is a huge advocate of yoga, and I’ll try just about anything to surf like Gerry. Yoga is not only a good way to help heal your body, but it also has meditative qualities that will help you maintain focus and calm those massive swell induced jitters.
If there is one place where you might catch the zen bug, it’s beautiful Hawaii. Photo: Shutterstock
Byodo-In Temple:
Many of the world’s top athletes use meditation to enhance their mental fortitude and to maintain focus when stress tries to interfere with their goals. The North Shore in December can be a hectic place full of bravado and bone crushing waves, so keeping your mind and spirit strong are essential if you want to catch the best barrels of your life. The Byodo-In Temple is a great place to find some peace and serenity when visiting Oahu. If there is one place where you might catch the zen bug, it’s beautiful Hawaii, so check out the temple and gain some inner peace.
Oahu is an amazingly beautiful place, full of world-class surf and aloha. Be kind and respectful and surf as much as you can, but if you’re too beat, too nervous, or just looking for something else to do, have a look around the island. There’s so much more to Hawaii than surfing!
