The tri-reef setup allows Pipeline to handle some serious size... often in the 15-foot range! Like a finger extending into the Pacific, the reef protrudes out into deep water amplifying the incoming swells.

High tide seems to add an edge to the waves, as the swell energy has a tendency to pass up 3rd and 2nd reef due to the water depth, and intensify on 1st reef. The resulting tubes are often wider than they are tall. These days often produce the infamous images of Pipe that have been burned into our minds as wave riders. Furthermore, just as different tides have effects on the wave intensity, different swell directions interact differently with the bathymetry (the shape of the ocean floor and bottom configurations). For example, west swells funnel sand into the channel resulting in a thumping shorebreak style closeout. A good rule of thumb is; the more west in the swell, the heavier and hollower the wave. On the other hand, swells originating from a more northerly direction drain sand off the reef and open up Backdoor (the right at Pipeline.) Keep in mind that Backdoor is essentially a closeout over a dry lava shelf. The shoulders are sporadic and the wave can pinch closed unpredictably. Furthermore, if you happen to wipeout while swooping into Backdoor, you'll end up in the worst possible place on the reef as you'll be dragged by the current directly into the impact zone. If this is the case, prepare for an invigorating salt water massage. However, if all the elements happen to be in place, you'll be rewarded with a hair-raising drop followed by a square barrel that drives you through a massive bowl into a ramping end section. All that while you're gunning it at 30 mph over a cheese grater reef that's less than two feet beneath the surface. Talk about a thrill.

Okay, okay, sounds good. Pipe is definitely a phenomenal wave. But are there any other high-quality breaks nearby? Yes, of course! The north shore offers a variety of world-class breaks. And best of all, some of them are relatively uncrowded. For those wave riders that are ready to discover the oh-so-many hidden gems that Hawaii has to offer... one of the best references available is an awesome publication called Surfer's Guide to Hawaii. This blockbuster surf guide provides both novice and advanced wave riders with a comprehensive breakdown of the Hawaiian surfing environment. Highlights include: peak seasons, weather conditions, surf shops, crowd management tips, ocean hazards, a complete listing of surf spots, outer island breaks (Maui, Kauai, etc.) and even a few "semi-secret" spots! Talk about a complete resource. This is one of the few books that I keep in my surfing library. I highly recommend it.