Wind Waves With No Swells on the Radar

By Carlos Rock

Flat to 1-foot at Ho’okipa, but people are still out there sharks and all. Photo: Carlos Rock.

A month-long flat spell and a scary number of shark attacks and sightings have resulted in quite possibly the worst August in recent history to be a surfer in Hawaii.

It’s been flat for a whole month with nothing – not even a blip of swell appearing on the radar.

Even the gusty tradewinds are not bringing in anything over 2-feet. But at least the winds are back to cool things down.

There are some small waves to be surfed on the east facing shores at a meager 1-2 and occasional 3-feet at the most, and has been this way since July ended.

Looks like beach days are for hanging out with some friends (and a case of beer) and swimming on an inner tube or SUP. Leave the shortboard at home.

And to make matters worse, there have been to date eight confirmed shark incidents in Hawaii, four of those incidents in Maui waters.

Windy conditions in Waiehu but there are some small waves. Photo: Carlos Rock.

Hopefully the upcoming study on sharks will shed some light on the apparent uptick in aggressive behavior.

There have also been an alarming number of sightings, forcing beach closures, as well as numerous reports of attempted shark attacks that did not get official confirmation.

No one knows when, the madness will subside, but surfers know winter is right around the corner and there have been many swells before this flat spell to keep surfers happy till then.

Enter the ocean, if you dare.