Banzai Pipeline facts for kids
The Banzai Pipeline, often called Pipeline or Pipe, is a super famous surf spot in Hawaii. It's on the North Shore of O'ahu island, near Ehukai Beach Park in Pupukea. It's a "reef break," meaning waves break over a shallow reef (like an underwater rock formation). Pipeline is known for its huge, powerful waves. These waves break in shallow water over a sharp reef. They form big, hollow tubes of water that surfers love to ride inside. There are three main reefs at Pipeline. Each reef creates waves as the ocean swells get bigger.
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How Pipeline Got Its Name
This famous surf spot got its name in December 1961. A surfing movie producer named Bruce Brown was driving with surfers Phil Edwards and Mike Diffenderfer. They stopped at this spot, which didn't have a name yet. Bruce filmed Phil riding some waves there.
At the time, there was a construction project nearby. Workers were building an underground pipeline along Kamehameha Highway. Mike Diffenderfer saw this and suggested naming the surf spot "Pipeline." The name was first used in Bruce Brown's movie Surfing Hollow Days. It even inspired a hit song called Pipeline by the surf rock band The Chantays in 1963.
What Makes the Waves Special
The reef at Pipeline is mostly flat, like a tabletop. It has several underwater caves. When a wave comes, it pushes air into these caves. This creates a giant air bubble that pops as the wave breaks. There are also sharp, jagged lava rocks underwater. These can be dangerous for surfers who fall.
Sometimes, sand can build up on the reef. This can make the waves "close out," meaning the hollow tube collapses too quickly to surf. But a strong ocean swell from the west can clear out this sand. After that, a strong north swell can create the very best waves.
Types of Waves at Pipeline
There are four main waves or sections at Pipeline:
First Reef (Pipeline)
This is the most common and photographed wave. It's a "left" wave, meaning it breaks from left to right when you look from the shore. When a north swell hits, the wave forms an "A-frame" shape. This means it breaks both left and right from a central peak. The left side is called Pipeline.
Backdoor Pipeline
At the same time the left wave (Pipeline) breaks, another equally famous wave peels off to the right. This is called Backdoor Pipeline. Surfers can ride amazing tubes here too.
Second Reef
When the waves at Pipe get really big (usually over 12 feet), the Second Reef starts to break. This reef is further out in deeper water. Waves here have longer "walls" (the unbroken face of the wave) and are even bigger.
Third Reef
At extreme sizes, an area even further out called Third Reef starts to break. These are giant waves, only for the most experienced surfers.
Famous Surfers at Pipeline
Pipeline is known for its powerful and challenging waves. It's important for surfers to be very skilled and careful. Many famous surfers have tested their abilities here.
Some of the notable surfers who have ridden Pipeline include:
- Phil Edwards (surfer) (who was the first person to surf it)
- Butch Van Artsdalen
- Gerry Lopez
- Mike Stewart
- Shaun Tomson
- Mark Richards
- Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew
- Peter Townend
- Michael Ho
- Simon Anderson
- Tom Carroll
- Sunny Garcia
- Kelly Slater
- Danny Fuller
- Jamie O'Brien
- Rob Machado
- Andy Irons
- Mick Fanning
- Gabriel Medina
- John John Florence
- Italo Ferreira
Surfing Competitions
Pipeline is a top spot for surfing competitions. Some of the biggest events held here include:
- The Pipe Masters (for board surfing)
- The Volcom Pipe Pro
- The IBA Pipeline Pro (for bodyboarding)
- The Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic
Surfers can also send videos to Surfline's Wave of the Winter competition. This contest focuses on the best waves ridden on Oahu's North Shore, including Pipeline.
Pipeline in Movies and TV
Pipeline has been featured in several movies and TV shows:
- The 1974 episode "The Banzai Pipeline" of Hawaii Five-O was filmed at Pipeline.
- The 2002 surfer movie Blue Crush was filmed at Pipe.
- The 2007 film Pipeline also showed events at this location.
Images for kids
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An empty wave at Banzai Pipeline, ready for a surfer.
See also
In Spanish: Banzai Pipeline para niños
