Waimea Bay, Oahu Webcams

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The Legendary Waves of Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay, Oahu Webcams.Waimea Bay on Oahu’s North Shore is recognized worldwide as one of the most epic big wave surfing spots on the planet. However, the history of this fabled bay stretches back long before modern surfing took hold.

For ancient Hawaiians, Waimea Valley was considered a sacred place where only the highest chiefs were allowed to reside. The name Waimea literally translates to “reddish water” from the streams that flowed from the valley into the bay, turning the water a brownish-red hue.

Archaeological evidence shows that Hawaiians lived in the Waimea Valley area as early as the 10th century A.D. Beyond its royal residences, the fertile valley provided an abundance of taro, sweet potato, banana and coconut groves that fed the villagers.

In the early 19th century, foreign settlers began arriving, introducing new crops like sugarcane and pineapple to be cultivated in the valley’s rich soil. Protestant missionaries built churches and schools. In 1886, a road was constructed between Waimea and Haleiwa, helping facilitate the transport of goods.

While archaeological sites indicate Native Hawaiians practiced the art of wave riding at Waimea using traditional wooden boards, the bay did not become a surfing mecca until the 20th century. In the winter of 1957-58, legendary watermen like Greg Noll began paddling out at Waimea when swells reached 25-30 feet, showcasing the bay’s enormous wave faces.

The winter of 1967-68 is considered Waimea’s most mythical big wave season. On November 26, 1967, waves in the bay reached a mind-boggling 35 feet, with some sets potentially as large as 50 feet. Only a handful of the world’s best big wave pioneers like Noll, Fred Van Dyke and Jock Sutherland dared attempt these liquid mountains.

Surfing’s popularity exploded in the 1970s and 80s, with the Waimea Bay Championship and The Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational attracting the world’s bravest riders. Epic days burned into legend include January 28, 1998 when Waimea produced towering 25-30 foot walls and tubes that were ridden by the likes of Ross Clarke-Jones and Mike Parsons.

Today, the Seven Mile Miracle of the North Shore continues to be surfing’s big wave bull ring when winter swells pound the coast from November through March. Waimea remains the pride of Oahu, a proving ground where only the elite masters of the ocean gather to challenge her greatest liquid giants.

For more information, visit the official Oahu website.