I had only seen photos of the Banzai Pipeline before yesterday. It’s found just off Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea, along Oahu’s North Shore, and just 12 miles from where we’re staying in Punalu’u. It is a reef break, a section in the ocean where waves begin to break as they encounter a reef’s shallow waters. The Banzai Pipeline is renowned for its enormous waves that break in shallow waters over a jagged, cavernous reef, creating massive, hollow curls of water that offer surfers the opportunity for tube riding. Banzai can produce some epic waves.

We went mid-day, and I didn’t expect big waves. I’m not sure what Dylan Pettit (shown above) was expecting to find when he brought his bodyboard yesterday, but what he got was what I’m describing as Banzai Pipeline “light.” Even the light version packed tremendous power. Regardless, he seemed to enjoy it, which is really all that matters. Thanks for being my sports model, Dylan!

I’ll definitely be going back when the waves are bigger.

Jeff Turner

See Full Bio