Photo: Koa Rothman // YouTube
Pipe surfers are bidding farewell to the Hawaiian winter. For the past few weeks, North Shore locals have been on the lookout for the last swell of the season, and it seems like it has finally come. In honor of the end of another season, Koa Rothman posted a video with what might be his last few sessions until next year.
“This could very well be the last day of the season to surf Pipeline, and it is maxing,” says Rothman at the start of the video.”I thought it would calm down right now, but it got possibly even bigger and gnarlier. We’re going to go out either way and hopefully find one.”
However, his expectations were soon harshly tempered by reality. Shortly after the grand proclamation that he was about to enter into the best Pipe of the winter, Rothman had his brand new board broken. He then ventured back out on an older craft, only to endure three paddle-outs in two hours – all to catch a mere two waves.
It turned out what Rothman needed was not only another run at the surf, but also a change in his expectations for the end of winter. “Very successful redemption session. I’m super happy I went out,” he concluded after a second, more successful effort. “Not the greatest waves ever, but it made the swell worth it. Because I think this is actually the last swell of the season, and our last Pipe day of our season. From here, we start traveling.”
