Surfing is a major sport on
Oahu Island, both for participants and spectators. Winter waves from Pacific storms can reach 20, 30 even 40 feet in height. When they reach the coral barrier reefs, they well up, form tubes and break.
Professional surfers compete on a circuit that gives big prizes to winners, who endorse surf boards and other products. These champions and the big purses bring out large crowds who watch the action from shore.
The Triple Crown of Surfing begins in late November and is the world's top surfing event. Morey Bodyboards World Championship is held in January at the North Shore's Banzai Pipeline.
Oahu has 594 identified surfing sites, nearly twice as many as any other Hawaiian island. Waves come from the south in the summers and generally are not as big. Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach Park are two of the most famous breaks.
