I’m going to Hawaii for the first time in December to visit a friend that’s living out there and want to do some surf kayaking.
I’m going to be on Oahu, near Honolulu. Essentially just looking for some advice on places that rent surf kayaks that perform on a wave better than the average Frenzy(Strike, Kaos, etc, maybe even waveski). Obviously Google searches yield some results and suggestions, but looking for advice from people who have paddled and used rental equipment in person.
Thanks for any and all advice.
Go Bananas
http://www.gobananaswatersports.com/rentals.php
You will have to contact them ahead of time to see what kind of surf craft they actually rent while you are there. Formerly they had surf specific SOTs, I’ve heard currently they have some Infinity Waveskis to rent, but you have to know someone to vouch for you.
How experienced are you at ocean surfing? Make sure you get some guidance on where to surf in a boat. Also in December the south side of the Island may have quite small swells.
You may be hard pressed …
– Last Updated: Aug-14-11 5:17 PM EST –
to find the type of boat you want to rent on Oahu. Most rentals are fat, wide SOT's. I've been there twice and rented a surf ski from Twogood Kayaks in Kailua. Their shop got displaced by a Target store, and I'm not sure if or where they are located now. But they had a wide variety of boats to rent.
But, while in Hawaii, try paddling what they do there. OC-1, OC-6's are common but not for rent. There are clubs all over and if you ask if you can fill in on a training paddle, it's a lot of fun.
Also, if you find a surfing boat, don't paddle where the surfers are. They don't take kindly to strangers.
December is a great time to go to the islands, the eastern side is green beyond compare, and water temperatures are mild.
New address for Twogood Kayaks
134 B Hamakua Drive · Kailua, Hawai'i 96734
Andy
Thanks
Thanks a lot Andy! That’s exactly the kind of info I was looking for. No worries on the lineup thing; surf and bodyboard as well, so well aware of rules of the lineup.
SUP paddling
– Last Updated: Aug-15-11 10:21 AM EST –
has grown tremendously on the islands and they can rented. You may want to give that shot.
Two of the best beaches in Hawaii are on Oahu. Kailua Beach and Lanikai. Great people watching and the view is outstanding.
Kailua Beach is more expansive and the color of the water is extraordinary.
http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/569508031VfSwVw
Also, for a really fun time, stop at the Macadamia Nut Farm and do the tour. The guys that do the tour are hysterical and dressed in native Hawaiian garb. Plenty of sample Macadamia nuts to sample as well, with free coffee.
http://www.macnutfarm.com/visit-us.html
Andy
More things to do…
– Last Updated: Aug-15-11 12:06 PM EST –
Take a hike up Diamond Head
Have a plate lunch
Do a drive around the perimeter of the island. But if the surf is up, there will be traffic.
Check out some of the surf beaches on the North shore
Check out turtle beach and see the honu's feeding
Eat at Buzz's Steakhouse and seafood in Kailua
http://www.buzzssteakhouse.com/
Go to a luau (touristy, but fun)
Get a fresh pinapple (they don't get any sweeter)
If you're there during Christmas and New Years, you will never forget it. News Years sounds like a war zone, fireworks everywhere!
Localism and anti-kayak crap.
I think Oahu is much more congested, but I do know people who surf kayaks there with no issues. On Kauai we heard all kinds of stories of localism, but if you stay to the side, and are surfing a surf specific boat and show you can handle the surf and then slowly work your way into the line up, we had no issues. In fact locals were quite friendly and curious about waveskis.
The main point is to ask local paddle surfers where to surf, so you don’t get involved in a bad situation.
More Oahu must does…
…
The Punchbowl Cemetary. And nearby Tantalus Drive–the best (and one of the least known) lookouts on all of the island. You’ll look down on Diamondhead and the Punchbowl. Click through pictures and pages here:
http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahusights/ss/tantalus.htm
Surf Kayaking Oahu
I am also in Oahu in December & would love to surf some waves using a waveski or at least a surf kayak as this is my preferred option for surfing can anyone help