Pipeline Surf Forecast and Surf Reports

“It's shocking that no one has written a review for Pipe which is bar none the most famous wave in the world, so here's the lowdown. While the North Shore has many world class waves, Pipeline and Waimea Bay are the pinnacle. It was first surfed in modern times in 1962 by Phil Edwards on a longboard and it has played a storied role in the history of surfing.

Up until the somewhat recent discovery of Chopes and other mega slabs, Pipeline was considered the gnarliest wave in the world. It takes years of poundings and sacrifice to work your way up the pecking order with Michael Ho and legends like him at the top. Therefore, Pipe is best enjoyed from shore or from the channel if you're intent on paddling out.

However, unless you're an expert or pro, don't even think of paddling out here unless it's really small (which isn't considered proper Pipeline). Even intermediate surfers shouldn't paddle out here when it's on. This is for your own safety as well as the safety of other surfers. The worst thing a visitor could do is to drop in on a surfer or get in another surfer's way. You don't want to be that guy or girl that causes someone to get injured or killed.

Unofficially, Pipe has killed approximately 50 surfers and photographers. The cause of these deaths are impacts onto the very shallow reef or from drowning. There's caves under there and people sometimes have gotten trapped. At times, there is literally only 2 to 3 feet of water over the reef, while waves with 15-20 foot plus faces break overhead.”