Oahu North Shore Winter Surf Contest Season 2011
The surf reports have already showed indications that the Oahu’s North Shore winter surf season will be arriving any day. Along with the monster swells are a slew the winter surf contests. Held from the end of October to March a series of championship surfing contests will attract surfers and surf fans from all over the world. The surf season traditionally starts of soft near Haleiwa with the annual Menehune Championships for kids ages 12 and under and ends with the Pipeline Women’s Prop in mid April. In between the seven mile stretch from Haleiwa to Sunset Beach changes from sleepy and quiet to a bustling destination of international proportions complete a colleciton of eateries, those famous north shore food trucks and more to complete the scene.
The north shore is certainly the place to see and be seen during the surf season. For spectators who want to make the drive from Waikiki and enjoy the thrill and enjoyment of big wave riding are advised to arrive early, bring lots of patience since traffic is awful and parking is simply slim to none.
Here is contest schedule for the 2011-2012 North Shore surfing contest season:
North Shore Menehune Surf Contest
Dates: October 15-23 2011
Where: Haleiwa Beach Park
Hawaiian Reef Pro and Cholo Women’s Hawaiian Pro
Dates: November 12-23 2011
Where: Haleiwa Beach Park
The Vans World Cup of Surfing
Dates: November 24 – December 6 2011
Where: Sunset Beach
Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau
Dates: December 1, 2011 – February 28, 2012
Where: Waimea Bay Beach Park
The Billabong Pipe Masters
Dates: December 8-20 2011
Where: Ehukai Beach Park
Volcon Pipe Pro
Dates: January 24 – February 5 2011
Where: Ehukai Beach Park
Pipeline Women’s Pro
Dates: March 1-15 2012
Where: Ehukai Beach Park
Contest typically begin early to mid-morning with award ceremonies taking place in the mid-late afternoon. The most exciting contests are by far the Van’s Triple Crown of Surfing. This trifecta of world class championship contests draw surfers who vie for the largest purses in the circuit. A local favorite is the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational In Memory of Eddie Aikau. A contest that requires massive surf heights and a slew of last minute protocols to be come a reality, it is not guaranteed to happen every year. But when it does, it will attract a collection of surfing elite.
Hawaii Travel Tip: bring a pair of binoculars to the get the most of the contest action
Lottie Tagupa is a native Hawaiian, born and raised on the island of Oahu. She has been writing about Hawaii for over 10 years and currently lives in Waimea on the Big Island.
Other Hawaii Travel Posts That May be of Interest
