The islands of Hawaii have all the natural beauties to attract your attention, from beaches to rainforests to volcanoes. While these eye candies are enough to keep you hooked on your vacation, Hawaii offers something else, too – a euphoria-like experience on its beaches and ocean. If you are a surfer, you must have realized it’s about surfing. In this archipelago, surfing runs in the locals’ DNA as they get introduced to this culture before walking or talking. You can learn about different legends of young folks going with their surfboard with their grandparents. Have you heard about Buffalo Keaulana? The surfing legend is Hawaiian. He lived the Hawaiian culture through his passion for surfing as an ocean waterman.
Do you also have a passion for surfing and want to witness its magical influence on your body and mind when in Hawaii? Prepare yourself! Start with your attire first. A site like malibushirts.com offers an excellent range of surfing-theme-based designs and prints. Girls and boys can pick their favorites easily. Whether you plan to watch others surfing the majestic wave or pursue this recreational option, a themed t-shirt will add oomph to your entire experience. Let’s now check the types of surfing options available here.
Surfing styles in Hawaii
Bodysurfing, bodyboarding, board surfing, river surfing, and sand sliding are popular. Hawaiian sports are remarkable attractions for non-Hawaiians, but surfing steals the limelight. If you opt for board surfing, you get four surfboard choices. For example, some heavy, narrow boards with round tops and bottoms are called papa olo. They can be 14-16 feet long. Papa kiko’o can be similar to papa olo, but these are lightweight and flat-decked with rounded bottoms. Their size can be 9-16 feet. Slimmer, wider, and lighter varieties are usually called papa alaia. They are mostly 6-9 feet long. A shorter length than 6 feet is called papa li’ili’I, the most petite. These boards are famous as paipo boards.
Another popular surfing style is the outrigger canoe. If you head to Waikiki for clean air and beach time, you can watch outrigger canoes daily, a tradition that has existed for centuries. Someone who participates in a racing event like this should have tremendous control over their canoe. Locals call this surfing form pākākā wa’a or pākākā nalu. River surfing is a phenomenon that demonstrates Hawaiians’ passion for this sport or recreation. Locals rode every wave enthusiastically, even those created by flash floods in rivers.
A tidbit about surfing in Hawaii
The new breeds of Hawaiian surfers are trying to revive the surfing cultural nuances that have faded into commercialization and pop culture. Surfing helps them connect with their ancestors spiritually. If you watched “Surfer, Dude,” “Point Break,” or any such films, they all portray the modern forms of this sport, typical of California. However, the roots of surfing go back to Hawaii. The tradition lost its identity when locals moved to the sugar cane fields to work. However, its revival happened after Duke Kahanamoku (swimming champion) made Hawaii and surfing the spotlight globally.
Whether or not you plan to surf in Hawaii, get a t-shirt and accessorize your look to bask in the feel of this sport at its place of origin.
Arman Ali, respects both business and technology. He enjoys writing about new business and technical developments. He has previously written content for numerous SaaS and IT organizations. He also enjoys reading about emerging technical trends and advances.