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Jaws (beach)
Encyclopedia
"Jaws" is the name given to a big wave surfing
reef break on the island of Maui
in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is located on the northern side of the island between mile markers 13 and 14 on the Hana highway
and sits at the base of rolling sugar cane
field hills.
The surf break, a deep water reef break, is called "Jaws" due to the size and ferocity of the waves. The waves at "Jaws" are rumored to reach heights of 120 ft (36.6 m) on the face of the wave, moving as fast as 30 mph (48.3 km/h).
The Jaws surf break is the home of tow-in surfing
and has reached its worldwide watersports fame largely due to the frequent filming and photography of tow-in surfing legends performing there on enormous ocean waves breaking at the deep reef off the shore; famed big wave surfers such as tow-in surfing pioneers (also known as "The Strapped Crew"-for the rubber straps on their short surfboards to anchor their feet against the forces) notably Laird Hamilton
and Dave Kalama
.
In order for the surf at "Jaws" to reach its extreme heights, many specific ocean and weather conditions must prevail concurrently. Because ocean swells large enough to produce this kind of surf occur only during winter months, primarily between December and February, they typically coincide with very strong winds which have a large effect on the surf. Other swells, particularly the small but powerful trade wind swells, can make the surf choppy and difficult to ride. There are several other surf spots around the world that boast similar wave heights; however, "Jaws" is famous for its wave forming quality. The reef and rocks at "Jaws" are shaped in a way that magnify incoming swell energy and produce clean and well defined right and left-directional waves with gigantic barreling (hollow, air-filled wave interior) sections.
. While many other big wave surf breaks around the world have seen an increase in tow surfing, "Jaws" has been at the forefront of the tow surfing revolution. Several documentary surf films, such as Stacey Peralta's Riding Giants
and Dana Brown's Step Into Liquid
, have exposed the quality of the wave to the world and immense crowding has plagued the break on the biggest days of surf. This has led to several dangerous and potentially life threatening incidents. So far nobody has drowned at "Jaws"; however' several prominent surfers have been lobbying to regulate or even limit tow surfing at the break for safety reasons.
Laird Hamilton
is quoted in Laird (White Knuckle Extreme) (2001) saying that he and others are scanning over topographical maps, trying to find other beaches throughout the world with the same characteristics.
On January 26, 2011, Australian Surfer Mark Visser
became the first person to ever surf Jaws at night .
-style vehicles from approaching from the highway.
The reason for the blockage is related to the December 15, 2004 crowding of the beach. Surfers who were not competent, tourists, and many others showed up to the beach to observe the massive surf. People were injured, and veteran big wave riders Laird Hamilton
and Dave Kalama
protested that the congestion on the waves made it more difficult and dangerous than otherwise to surf the Peahi reef. It is suggested that one surfs at "Jaws" "by invitation" from a veteran tow-in surfer only, despite absence of any legal basis for such a suggestion regarding public territory. Non-expert big wave surfers are discouraged.
The only practical way to approach "Jaws" at the surf level is from another beach on the coast, by boat or jet ski
. Tow-in wave riders can be observed by viewers from the high cliff overhead, though the space is limited. Use extreme caution, not recommended with young children; there are no lifeguards, and EMTs must travel a long distance to respond to observer accidents.
Big wave surfing
Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into or are towed onto waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or "rhino chasers". Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as...
reef break on the island of Maui
Maui
The island of Maui is the second-largest of the Hawaiian Islands at and is the 17th largest island in the United States. Maui is part of the state of Hawaii and is the largest of Maui County's four islands, bigger than Lānai, Kahoolawe, and Molokai. In 2010, Maui had a population of 144,444,...
in the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is located on the northern side of the island between mile markers 13 and 14 on the Hana highway
Hana Highway
The Hāna Highway is a long stretch of Hawaii State Routes 36 and 360 which connects Kahului with the town of Hāna in east Maui. On the east after Kalepa bridge, Hana Highway continues to Kīpahulu as Route 31 , the first section of which is unofficially considered to be part of Hāna Highway...
and sits at the base of rolling sugar cane
Sugar plantations in Hawaii
Sugarcane was introduced to Hawaii by its first inhabitants in approximately 600 AD and was observed by Captain Cook upon arrival in the islands in 1778. Sugar quickly turned into a big business and generated rapid population growth in the islands with 337,000 people immigrating over the span of a...
field hills.
The surf break, a deep water reef break, is called "Jaws" due to the size and ferocity of the waves. The waves at "Jaws" are rumored to reach heights of 120 ft (36.6 m) on the face of the wave, moving as fast as 30 mph (48.3 km/h).
The Jaws surf break is the home of tow-in surfing
Tow-in surfing
Tow-in surfing is a surfing technique which uses artificial assistance to allow the surfer to catch faster moving waves than was traditionally possible when paddling by hand.-History:...
and has reached its worldwide watersports fame largely due to the frequent filming and photography of tow-in surfing legends performing there on enormous ocean waves breaking at the deep reef off the shore; famed big wave surfers such as tow-in surfing pioneers (also known as "The Strapped Crew"-for the rubber straps on their short surfboards to anchor their feet against the forces) notably Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a professional volleyball player, television personality, and model...
and Dave Kalama
Dave Kalama
Dave Kalama is a big wave surfer, windsurfer, and celebrity watersports enthusiast. Kalama and his family live in Hawaii.Kalama is credited with the co-development of tow-in surfing, along with Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox...
.
In order for the surf at "Jaws" to reach its extreme heights, many specific ocean and weather conditions must prevail concurrently. Because ocean swells large enough to produce this kind of surf occur only during winter months, primarily between December and February, they typically coincide with very strong winds which have a large effect on the surf. Other swells, particularly the small but powerful trade wind swells, can make the surf choppy and difficult to ride. There are several other surf spots around the world that boast similar wave heights; however, "Jaws" is famous for its wave forming quality. The reef and rocks at "Jaws" are shaped in a way that magnify incoming swell energy and produce clean and well defined right and left-directional waves with gigantic barreling (hollow, air-filled wave interior) sections.
Tow-surfing at Pe'ahi "Jaws" beach
"Jaws" has been significant in recent years with the development and popularization of tow surfingTow-in surfing
Tow-in surfing is a surfing technique which uses artificial assistance to allow the surfer to catch faster moving waves than was traditionally possible when paddling by hand.-History:...
. While many other big wave surf breaks around the world have seen an increase in tow surfing, "Jaws" has been at the forefront of the tow surfing revolution. Several documentary surf films, such as Stacey Peralta's Riding Giants
Riding Giants
Riding Giants is a 2004 documentary film directed and narrated by Stacy Peralta, a famous skater/surfer who helped define modern skateboarding. The movie traces the origins of surfing and specifically focuses on the art of big wave riding...
and Dana Brown's Step Into Liquid
Step Into Liquid
Step into Liquid is a documentary about surfing directed by Dana Brown, son of famed surfer and filmmaker Bruce Brown. The film includes surfing footage from the famous Pipeline, the beaches of Vietnam, and some of the world's largest waves, at Cortes Bank...
, have exposed the quality of the wave to the world and immense crowding has plagued the break on the biggest days of surf. This has led to several dangerous and potentially life threatening incidents. So far nobody has drowned at "Jaws"; however' several prominent surfers have been lobbying to regulate or even limit tow surfing at the break for safety reasons.
Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a professional volleyball player, television personality, and model...
is quoted in Laird (White Knuckle Extreme) (2001) saying that he and others are scanning over topographical maps, trying to find other beaches throughout the world with the same characteristics.
On January 26, 2011, Australian Surfer Mark Visser
Mark Visser
Mark Robert Visser is an Australian big wave surfer and adventure athlete. Mark started surfing at 10 years old, and competed in several junior surfing tournaments in his youth. His professional career has included placing in several major surfing events and consideration in the XXL awards for...
became the first person to ever surf Jaws at night .
Road blockage
, the road to "Jaws" had been intentionally blocked by placing derelict vehicles across the road, and setting them on fire. In addition to the vehicles, there are tank trap-style cuts into the roads, preventing all but small, ATVAll-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
-style vehicles from approaching from the highway.
The reason for the blockage is related to the December 15, 2004 crowding of the beach. Surfers who were not competent, tourists, and many others showed up to the beach to observe the massive surf. People were injured, and veteran big wave riders Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton
Laird Hamilton is an American big-wave surfer, co-inventor of tow-in surfing, and an occasional fashion and action-sports model. He is married to Gabrielle Reece, a professional volleyball player, television personality, and model...
and Dave Kalama
Dave Kalama
Dave Kalama is a big wave surfer, windsurfer, and celebrity watersports enthusiast. Kalama and his family live in Hawaii.Kalama is credited with the co-development of tow-in surfing, along with Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox...
protested that the congestion on the waves made it more difficult and dangerous than otherwise to surf the Peahi reef. It is suggested that one surfs at "Jaws" "by invitation" from a veteran tow-in surfer only, despite absence of any legal basis for such a suggestion regarding public territory. Non-expert big wave surfers are discouraged.
The only practical way to approach "Jaws" at the surf level is from another beach on the coast, by boat or jet ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
. Tow-in wave riders can be observed by viewers from the high cliff overhead, though the space is limited. Use extreme caution, not recommended with young children; there are no lifeguards, and EMTs must travel a long distance to respond to observer accidents.
External links
- Jaws on BlooSeeBlooseeBlooSee is a social network and an ocean web mapping site where sailors, divers, surfers and other sea lovers geotag and share information and knowledge about the oceans. BlooSee is built in Python and uses the Google Maps API.BlooSee is owned by BlooSee, Inc...
(satellite view, NOAA chart and surfing spot) - Big Wave Wahine Article about women who surf Jaws. Maui No Ka 'Oi MagazineMaui No Ka 'Oi MagazineMaui Nō Ka Oi Magazine is a bi-monthly regional magazine published by the Haynes Publishing Group in Wailuku, Hawaii.The phrase Maui nō ka ʻoi means "Maui is unparallel" in the Hawaiian language. Maui Nō Ka Oi Magazine features stories relating to the culture, art, dining, environmental issues,...
Vol.10 No.5 (Nov.2006). - Big Waves, Epic Tales Photoessay about Maui's big wave riders. Maui No Ka 'Oi MagazineMaui No Ka 'Oi MagazineMaui Nō Ka Oi Magazine is a bi-monthly regional magazine published by the Haynes Publishing Group in Wailuku, Hawaii.The phrase Maui nō ka ʻoi means "Maui is unparallel" in the Hawaiian language. Maui Nō Ka Oi Magazine features stories relating to the culture, art, dining, environmental issues,...
Vol.14 No.1 (Jan.2010). - PLAY JAWS VIDEO - Slow Motion - 12_07_09 [Oxbow team riders Laird Hamilton, Kai Lenny and Jason Polakow.]
- December 2009 footage Epic Set - 12_08_09