First Trip

There are numerous places to pick up a board once you are there. There is a spot on South Shore called Surf Garage that has a bunch of boards (used too) and on the North Shore there are different shops (SurfnSea and others) that carry all kinds of shapes.

I would leave it at your family's house for the next visit Tickets can be as high as $1300.

Lani's is a great wave...needs a north swell. Typically a lot of water moving around out there...correct board and being in good shape will matter there (any spot on north shore really). Don't under estimate the north shore...it ain't Jersey. You are stoked have fun and you should make it a two week trip!!!

 

Being a good swimmer in a place like Hawaii or PR can be very important.
I hope you are a good swimmer.
Having said that--enjoy the trip and make wise decisions when and where to go out!!

 

I have a few tips for you.

First, no matter how good of shape you think you are in, get in better shape before you go out there. Being able to swim is critical. Good cardio is important.

Second, there are just tons of used boards out there, generally pretty reasonably priced. If you can bring two boards, bring your shortboard and for your second board get something longer and thicker that you can paddle. I can't stress this enough- being able to paddle is extremely important. The last thing you want is to be struggling in a current or to get outside when you get caught by a big set. My "everyday" board for the North Shore was a 6'10 Rawson classic semi-gun (Vyper). If you're looking for a reliable board, you can't go wrong with anything by Rawson or Bushman in my opinion.

Third, Lani's is not a beginner break. The rip there is insane. I'd recommend trying the Ehukai stretch your first couple of surfs, from the lifeguard stand north to Gas Chambers. The reef/sand isn't as shallow in that stretch, the surf is close to shore, and the lifeguards are attentive. And, getting in is easy. Getting in from Lani's is almost impossible without either riding a wave in or getting washed in. You break a board/leashe there and you are in for a rough time.

Last for now, be sure you check the surf forecast. The surf comes up very fast. Don't paddle out on an increasing swell. I almost drowned there my third day living there when I paddled out at Lani's on an increasing swell and got caught inside by a no-kidding 20' set. If my leashe had broken I would have drowned.

You aren't going believe how big the surf can get there on a good day, so I can't stress enough how important it is to have a board that paddles well, and to be in as good of shape as you can get in, in the event you break a leashe and have to swim in. You really can die out there if you don't have your **** together.

 

Legit

 

Kills your knee?? Then....DO NOT RUN.....bike instead, or something that will not threaten your knees, AND then threaten your trip. Been there, done that!! And I am old and supposed to be wise, so listen to what this old fart has to say!!

 

No dude screw Hawaii you don't need that **** go to some Third World country and spend like $11 a day not including cigarettes alcohol and more drugs you know whatever your sickness maybe you got to get awesome waves and awesome buzz and you might even catch dengue fever or some malaria it's a surprise around every corner and why is just not risky enough your surfer man don't you want the total package I mean Hawaii's for like rich kids like umm Jamie O'Brien who like houses has not houses the oceanfront house right on pipeline like **** that dude and you know what you Midas will be Jamie O'Brien Junior wait that's make it stop

 

This is actually a good point. Your board you have now versus what you want to "charge" the north shore are probably two totally different sticks. Your plan is to buy another board before you go and pay round trip board baggage fees. You will be able to buy two sticks with all that money. And I reiterate my point about leaving one at your family's crib....you will want to go back asap!!!

 

If you're thinking of bringing a board or two, be sure to check the board bag fees for whatever airline you're considering. They can add up, like $150 each way. If you change airlines for some reason, like start with Delta and finish with Hawaiian, or something weird like that, you'll be paying $150 each way for each airline. So do your homework.

Also, airlines have weird rules with how they charge for surfboards. Some charge per bag, some by how many boards are in the bag. Hawaiian has a strict 2 board per bag fee and yes, the attendant at the counter in Kauai had me open my bag so she could count the boards. BS, but it is what it is.

You can get a pretty good used board on the North Shore for about $200. If you're going after the contest season starts, Liam McNamara has a little shop up by Sharks Cove where he sells a ton of pro boards out of a trailer pretty reasonably priced. I showed up in November and picked up a used 7'2 shaped for about that much. If you go before the season, there might not be as many guns available.

If you pick one up there, you can sell it at Surf and Sea, just leave it there since you have relatives on the island and they can send you the check when it sells. Might save you a few bucks, but you're going to have to shop around a bit when you get there to find a board. You're going to want something shaped for the North Shore.

 

Mannnnn misy youre making me upset I think I'm going to go cry now but I know you agree with me and deep down you're crying to

 

Oh boo who missy you remind me of a turd in the punch bowl that is swell info and the United States of hypocrisy so continue to be a tool that you are we all know you will not succeed very far

 

Hey man if. You own a tacoma and the south youe high ballin... But I mean if you're on the Tacoma and your and why I totally respect you bro.... Two people that live and why should totally have a Land Cruiser by now outdated your **** is they say **** why let's send it straight to the Americas because no one likes Hawaii

 

Oh by the Way where can I get a voice spellcheck app for this phone???

 

Went 12 years ago to Kaui with no board. Bought a 7'2" semi gun for 175.$ put it on consignment and the shop guy sent me 100$ back in the mail. Focus on improving your bigger wave game and don't bother with a short board.