A Closer Look At Hawaii’s Legendary Banzai Pipeline

There’s no doubt about it: Hawaii has got it all in terms of natural beauty, but the island paradise’s biggest pride may just be a massive surf break located off Oahu’s North Shore. The Banzai Pipeline, or Pipe for short, is one of the most famous surfing spots in the world, and with swells reaching up to 30 feet, almost everyone in Hawaii is obsessed with the impressive surf break.

Defined as the area in the ocean where waves start to break as they reach the shallow sections of a reef, all reef breaks are cool, but the Banzai Pipeline is notorious.

The Banzai Pipeline is known for gigantic waves that break in shallow water just above a sharp, cavernous reef, forming large, hollow curls of water perfect for surfers to tube ride.

The name, Banzai Pipeline, combines the name of the surf break (Pipeline), and the beach that fronts the area (Banzai Beach).

It was unnamed until December 1961, when surfing movie producer Bruce Brown was driving the North Shore with two California surfers and decided to stop at the unnamed spot to shoot some video.

At this time, there was an underground pipeline under construction at the adjacent Kamehameha Highway, and so Brown named the break Pipeline.

The name was first used in Brown’s movie, Surfing Hollow Days.

The Pipeline is incredibly dangerous; many surfers and photographers have been killed at the pipe, and it is considered the world’s deadliest wave.

Despite the danger, various major surfing competitions are held at Pipeline, including the Vans Triple Crown, Pipe Masters, the Volcom Pipe Pro, the IBA Pipeline Pro, and the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic.

Locals and tourists alike flock to the North Shore during the winter months to sit on the beach, in awe of the waves, watching professional surfers tackle the legendary Banzai Pipeline, so what are you waiting for?

Taken in 2013, this video compilation of the Banzai Pipeline shot by Eric Sterman is absolutely mesmerizing, and we simply can’t get enough. 

So, tell us, will you be heading up to the Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii to watch the waves this winter? Or are you skilled and brave enough to take them on? Share your experiences and opinions about this legendary surf break with us in the comments, then click here to read all about Duke Kahanamoku, the "Father of Surfing."