Surfing

To early Hawaiians, surfing was more than catching and riding waves. It was the center of social and ritual activities that began with the selection of the tree from which the board would be carved and progressed to legendary surfing contests for the ali’i (chiefs). In religion, in

Today's surfers are no less enchanted by the sport. When the surf's up, all else pales in significance. Surfing captures one's body and soul through the very power and fury of the ocean, and it never lets you go.

Waikiki, with reliable waves almost all year round, is a good choice for the beginner.

The "Seven Mile Miracle," which stretches from Hale’iwa to Sunset Beach on Oahu’s North Shore, contains many of the major surf spots on this wintertime big wave coast, including Rocky Point, Banzai Pipeline, Ehukai, Waimea Bay, Chun's Reef, Laniakea, and Sunset Beach.

Surfing pros, male and female, offer lessons throughout the island.