Have you heard someone say " Waikiki is for beginners only."
Well, it is true a lot of people experienced their first wave at Waikiki. ( This photo is at Queens. )
Current champion surfers like Carissa Moore, Kai Salas, Kaneila Stewart, Kelia Moniz, Kelis Kaleopaa, Bonga Perkins, Dino Miranda all learned and still surf at Waikiki.
But do you know Eddie Aikau, Gerry Lopez and Ben Aipa all got their start surfing at Waikiki ?
You hear tourist websites talk about the gentle rolling waves at Waikiki, "perfect for beginners to learn on".
But there are different points of levels at Waikiki, partial due to the reef bottom.
There's a beginner / instructor area on the inside, a middle section and the furthest outside section for the more advanced.
By the way, those section are for "Canoes" break. " Queens is meant for advance surfers only, no lessons should be taught there.
Here I took off from the outside peak at Canoes. Yes, on certain days you can get barrelled at Waikiki.
Surfing is called the "Sport of Kings". Waikiki surf spots were reserved only for Hawaiian Royalty in ancient Hawaii.
Now "anybody" can surf there. Don't be rude after you drop in and tell me that " Waikiki is for beginners only ! "
Learn to respect the ocean, learn to respect the locals and learn about the past before you say that.
To my readers, I will be in Waikiki this month for a few weeks. Hope to see you at "Canoes" surf break.