Big Wave Dodgeball

The south swell is still BIG!  I waited until the sun came up today because this spot has a lot of sharks early in the morning.  And that’s why nobody surfs out here.  BUT, when the waves get big, it’s so good.  I paddled out mid-morning.  The strategy to surfing out here is to wait in the inside for the clean open waves.  The sets are big and close out so you just have to keep dodging them.  You have to be mentally prepared to get double overhead powerful waves breaking on your head over and over.

When a medium wave comes, you have to paddle in and catch it.  If you miss it, 6 to 8 waves behind it will punish you.  So yes, I paddle as fast as I can and make sure I’m on every wave I commit to.

From there, it’s so easy because the wave is so perfect.  Lots of power and easy to surf.

I just love how my shortboard feels on bigger waves.

My goal was to catch 5 waves and not get pounded by the big ones.

That didn’t happen.  After each wave I caught, I had to paddle back out through huge sets like this.  That wasn’t fun at all.

If you can’t duck dive deep, you can’t surf out here.  And you better hold on to your board because if you lose it or break it, you’re in danger.  There are no lifeguards, super strong current, jagged rocks, and one of the most dangerous spots on the island.

I surfed all alone again and felt so free.  Tomorrow same thing!

June 15, 2026 Hawaii Surf Report

Diamond Head Locals:  Cedric Nishimura and Lance Nakasone.  40 years of friendship…

Good morning 3:10am.
Ala Moana 4-6′ and good.
Diamond Head 6′ and good.
Light trade winds at 10mph.
Sunny and warm.
Going to the sea.
Have a wonderful day!

The Search on Sunday

I went looking for waves and started by checking Diamond Head.  When I got there, there were no cars, no people, and no surfers.  I saw huge lines of swells in the big ocean.  It was wild!  

Then I saw the first set break and got so excited.  OMG, I’m going to score big and crazy Diamond Head all to myself!  I ran down the mountain, paddled out my fastest, and caught as many waves as possible.  Another dream session.

Today was Sunday and this was the ocean.  It’s hard to believe because I use to travel around the world to search for waves like this.  There are 3 more swells in the forecast so I’m going to choose wisely where to surf.  I want big, perfect, and empty surf like this and I’ll look all over for it.  Thank goodness this one is only 10 minutes away from my house.  As for tomorrow, we shall see…