Wahine Wave Riders at Kauai’s Kalihiwai Bay

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By noreply@blogger.com (e komo mai)

Drive down from the bluffs on Kauai's north shore near Kilaeua and you will find a local-style beach park that is home to one of the best you-never-heard-of-it surfing venues in Hawaii. One break is on shore near the river mouth, mostly the playground for body boarders. The real action is at the mouth of the bay--a right break that sometimes curls around to a near head-on with the cliff face if surfers don't bail out it time.

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Local dudes like the great Titus Kinimaka have their own hang out zone at the beach (you want to make friends and get advice before venturing out there to ride). But Kalihiwai is favored by the wahines, and some of the best in the world, like Bethany Hamilton (not pictured) surf here frequently.
Bethany is known these days as the girl who lost her arm to a shark attack in 2003, a horrific event later portrayed in the movie, Soul Surfer. It is astounding how she can catch the combers with only one arm—she remains a top competitive surfer on the pro circuit.

kalihiwaiFrom a guardrail on the way down to the beach park is a fabulous place to be a spectator, one of the best spots in Hawaii when conditions are right. There are two or three places to park on the shoulder before the guardrail begins. This picture is looking in at the bay, with the stream to the far right. The surfing action, where the above shot was lensed, is down to the right. Make sure you get a good footing (dangerous drop off behind rail) and stay out of the path of cars traveling downhill.

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