Going to Waikiki in two weeks and planning to take my own board. The dilemma which board?? Theres no swell on the North shore so will stay around waikiki. The choice... 8'0 Hyernut OR 9'1 Creek. ... Nut will be easier to cart around but... Appreciate all and sundry feedback.
Waikiki is medium speed weak breaking supercrowded conditions where every decent wave has handfuls of sup, logboarder, kayak, and canoe riders vying for your wave.
Plus, the good breaks are a long paddle from shore, the inside backwashing and often affected by sideoff winds and wakes from all the activity.
Don't expect you to suo Kaisers or AlaMo, the two steep breaking waves.
I disagree somewhat, LeeD,
I had a week at Waikiki in early January - so full-on US holiday season.
We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, so just out of the main drag, down towards Ala Moana.
I hired a 9'2" "Sweet Spot" board from Blue Planet, as this was the closest I could get to my 9'1" Creek.
All of the breaks were either close (Kaisers/ Rock Wall) or a lesiurely 15 minute paddle (3's, 4's).
I found the crew to be very hospitable and easy to get a wave. Even had a couple of sessions of 4's by myself.
To be fair, I did stay away from the short-board break at the channel mouth near RockWall.
And I stayed away from the breaks off the main drag at Waikiki - Canoes, Pops. I agree with you there.
The 9'2" board was a good size - the waves are fat and can be somewhat gutless on the south shore.
Bomberdave, the Blue Planet option is worth considering. They provide soft racks if you have a car, or they will pick up and drop off for $25.
Also check out your hotel to find out whether they provide board storage.
The Blue Planet website has a section for this.
The Hawaiian Hilton didn't provide specific storage, but I just took the board up and down to the room, and used the goods lift with no problem, apart from the obvious challenges of opening doors and dodging linen carts etc. Banged a few doors, but at least i wasn't banging up my beloved Creek (sorry Rob S).
It's Hawaii - surfboards and hotels go hands in hand.
Other wise there is beach storage in the main drag of Waikiki.
Take a go-pro - there turtles and fish everywhere.
Anecdote - got friendly with an old long-boarder - a local, but I picked up an Australian accent in his voice.
He's 75, surfs once or twice a day at 4's.
Been there since '66 or '67 - he can;t remember.
Went for a holiday, didn;t bother going home.
I asked him to describe 50 years in Hawaii..."Oh Man...sex, drugs and surfing!"
Look out for him - tall, weathered, probably stoned, surfs a classic old red board.
Have fun.
Hey
I went over with my 8'5 Speeed and surfed all the waikiki breaks on my trip. Lots of aloha..had no issues and a tone of waves. Have posted a video on here highlighting the breaks I surfed. Check it out..hope it helps
Chur
Waikiki had fatter cruiser waves with a million people on them but with plenty of "Aloha". Takes a bit of getting used to. I decided to hang on the outside most of the time so getting a longer board helped.
I decided to go mid length . A 9ft 29 Wide Blue Planet Noosa hire.
Was a good length and not too long to make it difficult to manage on the water and out . Hired a locker from Nalu Storage . Maurie is as excellent
Personally I would just hire from Blue Planet . They even offered a board swap in case I didn't like the board I hired .
BP are really chilled and have an exceptional service . Would definitely use again
Thanks for the info guys, I think the creek is the board as im going for two weeks its far cheaper to take my own. We are also staying in a 2 bed apartment so plenty of board storage and easy access.
Hi guys,Going to Waikiki in early September and planning to take my Hypernut 7'2.What I would like to know is will I have difficulties catching transport from the airport to my Hotel with my board in tow.Cheers.Ozzie
Select to expand quoteLeeD said..
Waikiki is medium speed weak breaking supercrowded conditions where every decent wave has handfuls of sup, logboarder, kayak, and canoe riders vying for your wave.
Plus, the good breaks are a long paddle from shore, the inside backwashing and often affected by sideoff winds and wakes from all the activity.
Don't expect you to suo Kaisers or AlaMo, the two steep breaking waves.
Its prime south swell session now, no kayaks to be seen. 6 foot Waikiki swell is perfection for longboarding and sup's . The beach boys don't take the canoes out on these days,you will find the swell will last for 3 days drop off for another 2 or 3 days then a new swell will arrive.
The good breaks are not a long paddle if your on a sup or longboard. Only beginners hang on the inside which can be effected by back wash on a good swell.
If your chasing less crew head to the other side of Dimond Head or up to Makaha.
Have a great time mate.
Select to expand quoteghost4man said..
Hi guys,Going to Waikiki in early September and planning to take my Hypernut 7'2.What I would like to know is will I have difficulties catching transport from the airport to my Hotel with my board in tow.Cheers.Ozzie
You will be fine mate, speedy shuttle and roberts shuttle google for rates and bookings.
The hilton on Waikiki is the spot, and if your supping around the tourist breaks, sharing the wave is the most important way to befriend the locals. Its all about the fun. Take the missus, take the kids, just don't expect pipe outside the hotel. Do not get aggro, just smile and share the stoke. The locals are bigger, stronger and tougher than you. Hiring is better as if you take your own board you are starting to get into the wrong mindset, Ive brought the board I need to catch some good waves. Hire over there. Blue planet, etc. Try out a few new board sizes. Teach the missus. Hawaii is for full pros, or a family trip. Go on a boat trip or to fiji, pacific to improve your sup skills. Don't got to Hawaii outside of winter swell season, late nov to early march and think your going to score good waves. If you do it is just a bonus.
Select to expand quoteMacaha said..ghost4man said..
Hi guys,Going to Waikiki in early September and planning to take my Hypernut 7'2.What I would like to know is will I have difficulties catching transport from the airport to my Hotel with my board in tow.Cheers.Ozzie
You will be fine mate, speedy shuttle and roberts shuttle google for rates and bookings.
Thanks mate.
The better half was concerned we would be stuck at the airport and started to put the boot in :)
Select to expand quoteghost4man said..Macaha said..ghost4man said..
Hi guys,Going to Waikiki in early September and planning to take my Hypernut 7'2.What I would like to know is will I have difficulties catching transport from the airport to my Hotel with my board in tow.Cheers.Ozzie
You will be fine mate, speedy shuttle and roberts shuttle google for rates and bookings.
Thanks mate.
The better half was concerned we would be stuck at the airport and started to put the boot in :)
You can pre book online
Select to expand quotepumpjockey02 said..
The hilton on Waikiki is the spot, and if your supping around the tourist breaks, sharing the wave is the most important way to befriend the locals. Its all about the fun. Take the missus, take the kids, just don't expect pipe outside the hotel. Do not get aggro, just smile and share the stoke. The locals are bigger, stronger and tougher than you. Hiring is better as if you take your own board you are starting to get into the wrong mindset, Ive brought the board I need to catch some good waves. Hire over there. Blue planet, etc. Try out a few new board sizes. Teach the missus. Hawaii is for full pros, or a family trip. Go on a boat trip or to fiji, pacific to improve your sup skills. Don't got to Hawaii outside of winter swell season, late nov to early march and think your going to score good waves. If you do it is just a bonus.
I couldn't care less if the water was as flat as for the entire time we are there.
Just to be able to put the board on the water, jump on and start paddling is enough for me.
I've always seen past the new designs, new fins, new foils bla bla bla and just loved the sensation of paddling and looking back at the beach as if I was walking on water. Cos the day will come when I won't be able to.
Ciao amigos.
It's been 6-9 feet here on the south shore the last couple of days and this swell looks to last a few more days. It's been a great start to summer.
Agree with Helmy - waikiki maybe crowded in close, only a few minute paddle out the back, perfect just after dawn nefore any wind. I know exactly the Ozzie guy on his board, his blood must be worth a fortune.
Blue Planet guys are good to deal with - starting to get a bit expensive but a good product.
