Epic End to the Winter with Huge Swell

By Carlos Rock

Way bigger than it looks. Ho’okipa in early April. Photo: Carlos Rock

A huge swell is on the way for Friday, April 5. This will most likely be the last huge swell of the season and it looks like it will end in some fireworks.

This swell was expected to build all day today and reach eight feet by the afternoon, so surf heights could reach dangerous levels if one is not careful.

Remember, the most dangerous time to be surfing is during a rising swell, especially one of this magnitude.

A massive northwest swell of 18-30 feet is set to blast the islands Friday which is highly unusual this late in the season.

April is not really known to produce huge swells so pick your spot and be safe out there, as the wind is supposed to lighten up as well which could create amazing conditions.

If the predicted swell does reach the heights on the forecast, then this might be your last chance to be able to watch Jaws do its thing and the madmen of the world just might show up to tackle the huge Peahi beasts.

Swells of this size are way too big for most of the popular spots along the north shore like Ho’okipa, so it is best to find your own spot that is protected by some outer reefs or an area that will get some of the wrap-around energy from the swell.

The upper west side will most likely see epic conditions as will many other spots that are best left unidentified.

This winter season has been great — and Hawaii is due for more decent-sized waves of up to 10 feet out of the west-northwest on Monday.

NW swell on the way? Photo: Carlos Rock

If you really put for the effort to expand your surfing skills by charging bigger waves and/or just surfing more frequently (job permitting), then you should undoubtedly be surfing with more confidence than you ever have.

Well, at least enough to be able to charge the summer swells once they come.

Or, you may have gotten all of your thrill rides out of your system by the time summer flatness comes around. But, there is still action on the north shore.

The past couple days have been great at Ho’okipa — 6 feet with nonstop action, and guys were on it. All of the regular faces were out in the water soaking up the last bit of winter.

But, we don’t know when it will truly end; that’s up to Mother Nature to decide.

As surfers, we are always looking toward the next ride or next adventure. But with a winter like this, there will be a lot to reflect on come mid-June or July.

Those winter lines will be gone soon. Reeling them in at Ho’okipa. Photo: Carlos Rock