Slyde into the North Shore of Hawaii: Surf Travel Oahu March 2019

My commitment to myself in 2019 is inspired action, if I feel compelled to do something, go do it.

So I jumped on plane to Hawaii, a solo trip to see firsthand North Shore surf in Action. I learned some epic lessons in the 8days, and hope these tips make your next visit to Hawaii even better.

I’m going on a trip to the North Shore of Hawaii in March in my suitcase I’m packing:

• Sunscreen: squeeze your favorite reef safe lotion in a 3oz travel size bottle.
• Baseball hat & a wide brimmed straw style hat protect your face.
• GoPro: I tested out the GoPro Hero 7 Black here, it beautifully captured the aloha color.
• Bathing suit/ swim trunks:no brainer you’re surrounded by water & sun
• Flipflops: being barefoot is completely acceptable at most places too.
• Sunglasses: the sun is intense, save your eyeballs.
• Sneakers/ socks:  the lands are absolutely lush & beautiful here. Get your hiking on.
• Phone Charger: easily forgotten & a terrible thing to miss.
• Gromboard & DaFins: travel friendly & light to just get out there & kick around.
• Reusable Waterbottle: keep hydrated and cut down on plastic waste.
• Beach bag: keep your gear and sand all in one place.
• Light Weight Windbreaker:  optimal for keeping the sun & rain off (expect occasional rain showers)
• Sweatpants: fly in comfort & warmth 
• Sweatshirt: nights get chilly better make it a hoodie.

3 Things I Should Have Left at Home

• Jeans, at no time did I think “I want to wear jeans.” 
• All agendas, that’s not how things operate on the island. Island time is a real thing, and just like jet leg it’s best to deal with it straight away. Ease up, and relax into the flow.
• My super thick & non-travel friendly towel, which took up 1/3 of my suitcase. (Leus Surf Towels are the go)

6 Words That Will Help Get Your Vibe Right

• Aloha: Hello & Goodbye
• Mahalo: Thank You
• Howzit:  Friendly short version of how’s it going ?
• Haleiwa: Small beach town just outside of all the big wave action.
• Kaha Nalu Hawaii: Sharing the True Spirt of aloha & the art of Hawaiian Bodysurfing
• Keali’i: Kay-Uh-Lee- Ee Hawaiian Bodysurfer that you’ll want to keep on your radar

Helpful Technology

• Hawaiian Airlines Shows: Only videos that are free, but also really entertaining & educational about all things Hawaii; like Powwow, Poke & Ocean Vodka.
• Waze: I love this directional map in everyday life, and even off-roading in HI, it never let me down, giving you the quickest real-time traffic routes.
• Stactapp: Live Events, Athlete Profiles, and In Depth Stats in real time. An awesome app addition for the Pipeline Bodysurfing Competition

11 places I’m stoked on

• Banzai Pipeline: shear power & magnificence, which can only be properly experienced in person.
• The Volcom House: Sooo much surf history & stoke happened at this spot.
• Waimea Bay: gorgeous family beach tends to have steep shorebreak.
• Dukes: Restaurant in Waikiki
• Outsite: Co-living/ Co-working house with a location in Haleiwa
• Foodland: I literally ate 99% of all meals from here with 5 different high quality Poke’s to choose from
• Turtle Bay Resort: beautiful spot to catch happy hour & sunset.
• Green World Coffee Farm: Hawaii is the only state in the United States that grows it’s own coffee, and the flavor & taste are next level.
• Dole Pineapple: Choo Choo take The Pineapple Express train 
• Point Panics: Bodysurfing history at it's best, loved seeing the dedication area to bodysurfers past. 

3 Places or Things I Wish I’d done

• Paddleboarded under Haleiwa Rainbow Bridge & up the river
• Checked out the Eastside of the Island
• Experienced Sandy’s Beach Park

5 Random Helpful Tips

• Ocean conditions vary significantly by season. North Shore in the winter is FIRING this means big 20waves, rips, a hot spot for the worlds best pro surfers. It is definitely not snorkeling season.
• Airport is Honolulu Hawaii 45 minute drive to da North Shore
• Instagram is an awesome resource for real live trip information.  Simply Search by location of interest and click recent. I scored insights to my favorite hike of the trip on here.
• Roosters run da Northshore, bring ear plugs for sleeping.
• Island Time & typical day is done by 8pm (there’s no party, and there’s definitely no after parties) Unless you’re personally throwing them.
• If getting a rental car, be sure you select airport pick up for location. (I unfortunately did not & had to spend a decent amount of $$ on Uber)
• Get use to doing U-turns, most roads are 1 way in & out, and if you wait for spot to turn around you could be going in the wrong direction for 45minutes.
• Oahu is the shape of pig & has been know to have some of the best pork in the world.
• Radio station are few & far between so get your Island Vibes playlist ready. 

Watch more adventures unfold HERE→