North Shore Flash Floods Turn Oahu Lineups Unrecognizable (Video)

“Every once in a while, we get some crazy rains in Hawaii,” Nate narrates. “Not surprising because it’s a tropical place. But this February has probably been the worst February for waves that I’ve ever seen. Tons of east/northeast swell, and tons of trade winds coming from the east. And not the good type of trades, like, the light east winds and Pipe is all good with those west swells.”

Spots like Waimea Bay, where there’s a well-trodden waterway, were obviously prime targets for the flooding – like from Clark Little’s image below:

Nate continues, that, while occasionally these strange conditions can create fun waves, this year has been different. Especially, as mentioned, compared to last year:

“So, the sand has been pushed back to where it was pre-winter. And that type of swell – while super fun to surf little waves – it’s no good for big Pipe and Backdoor. There have been days at the Outer Reefs, Jaws broke maybe once this year…super weird winter. Probably what we deserve after last year’s February, which was like 25 or 30 days of nonstop crazy Pipeline. Not only has it been pretty bad conditions, but it’s been a massive rainy season.”

Regarding the rains, and a little history lesson, he added:

“We get a lot of flash flooding. All the old rivers – a lot of our water got diverted a long time ago to feed the plantations and sugar cane – when it rains hard enough, those old rivers and streams start flowing again. And when they flow, it takes all that red dirt and debris and flushes it into the water. I’m hoping it doesn’t happen. It’s going to be poo brown water.”

Spoiler: it did happen.