Join us for the North Shore surf competitions this year! Get all the contest details, schedules, helpful tips for watching, and an insider's view of how these prestigious events unfold.
The surf competitions each winter on Oahu's North Shore are some of Hawaii's most exciting and anticipated events.
These competitions are incredible to watch and draw locals and visitors year after year - and it’s easy to see why!
Imagine the top surfers competing for the title in the world's best, most powerful waves at iconic spots like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay. The crowds go wild, and the energy on the beach is indescribable!
Plus, there are so many fun things to do on the North Shore while you're here! From watching the surf contests, exploring the beaches, dining at local restaurants, and shopping in historic Haleiwa Town, you’re just scratching the surface!
North Shore surf competition details
The North Shore surf season starts in late September and runs through the winter months until the end of April.
This is when we see the beautiful waves and world-renowned surf contests, like the Pipe Masters and the VANS Triple Crown of Surfing (no longer held), that have earned the North Shore its reputation as the surfing capital of the world.
Plan your trip to Hawaii during these months if you want to catch the action! These surf competitions differ from typical sporting events, so let’s go over how they work, this year's schedule, and key details to help you plan your visit.
How surf competitions work
Surf competitions on the North Shore follow a unique format depending on swell conditions during the waiting period for each event. Here’s a quick rundown of how they work:
- Waiting Period: Competitions don’t have a set day or time. Instead, there’s a "waiting period," a specific window several weeks long, during which organizers monitor ocean conditions. The competition happens when swell conditions (the size and quality of the waves) look best. It takes 2 to 3 days to run the whole event.
- Heat System: Surfers compete in heats, typically 20 to 40 minutes long. In each heat, a small group of surfers (usually 2-4) take turns riding waves to score points.
- Judging Criteria: Surfers are judged on a 10-point scale based on difficulty and their performance on the waves. Only their top two scoring waves count toward their total heat score to advance to the next round.
- Advancement & Elimination: The top two surfers in each heat advance to the next round, while third and fourth-place finishers are eliminated. This continues until a final heat determines the overall winner.
- Wave Priority: Surfers follow a priority system to determine who has the right of way for each wave, which helps keep the competition orderly and fair.
Tips for watching
- Since the event can start any day within the holding period, check the specific surf contest's website or World Surf League for updates. The organizers usually decide early in the morning and provide live updates on whether the contest is on.
- Arrive early to secure a good spot on the beach, avoid traffic, and easily find parking along Kamehameha Hwy. or in the beach's dedicated parking area. Parking is free, and some private residents offer paid parking on their lots.
- Bring binoculars to get an up-close view of the surfers riding the waves. The waves are much bigger than they appear from the beach!
- Be sure to bring water and some snacks with you. Depending on where the surf competition is, your food options might be limited to a few food trucks unless the contest is near Haleiwa Town, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants.
- If you could only choose one contest to watch while traveling to Oahu, I'd recommend planning to see the Pipe Masters. The waves at Pipeline are incredible; they break close to shore and are the most powerful, perfect barreling waves in the world. It’s unreal to watch surfers get spat out of those giant tubes!
- If you can’t make it to Hawaii, you can still watch the competitions live online on the World Surf League website. Plus, check out the Pipeline and Waimea surf cams right here on our site!
Upcoming competitions
Here’s the updated schedule for the professional surf competitions happening this year on Oahu's North Shore during the 2024-2025 surf season, along with a calendar overview. Below, you'll find more information about each event.
Note: The dates reflect the permits issued by the City and County of Honolulu for each event. They may differ from those found on the World Surf League website.
| What | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaiian Islands Sunset Pro | Oct 28 - Nov 7, 2024 | Sunset Beach |
| HIC Haleiwa Pro | Nov 25 - Dec 7, 2024 | Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park |
| Vans Pipe Masters | Dec 8 - 20, 2024 | Banzai Pipeline |
| The Eddie Big Wave Invitational | Dec 14, 2024 - March 13, 2025 | Waimea Bay |
| Da Hui Backdoor Shootout | Jan 4 - 16, 2025 | Banzai Pipeline |
| Lexus Pipe Pro | Jan 29 - Feb 10, 2025 | Banzai Pipeline |
Hawaiian Islands Sunset Pro
(Oct 28 - Nov 7, 2024)
What: World Surf League (WSL) Men’s and Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) Event
Where: Sunset Beach, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: October 28 - November 4, 2024. Event organizers will run the competition on the best three days within this window.
This event is part of the World Surf League’s Regional Qualifying Series, offering pro surfers a chance to earn points toward the Challenger Series to qualify for the WSL Championship Tour. This is a significant event for those looking to advance their surfing careers.
This competition is especially exciting to watch when the waves are big. Sunset Beach is a deep-water reef break with long rides, barreling waves, and sections perfect for maneuvers. Here, the waves break further out, so bring binoculars if you can!
Note: The WSL Hurley Pro Sunset Beach competition, usually scheduled for February, will not be happening in 2025.
HIC Haleiwa Pro
(Nov 25 - Dec 7, 2024)
What: World Surf League (WSL) Men’s and Women’s Qualifying Series (QS) Event
Where: Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: November 26 - December 7, 2024.
The HIC Haleiwa Pro is part of the World Surf League's Qualifying Series, and the event showcases the island's top-tier competitors in one of the most iconic North Shore surf spots.
The waves at Ali’i Beach break close to shore, making the competition even more exciting to watch. Plus, it's right in Haleiwa Town, just west of Haleiwa Boat Harbor - a super convenient location!
Vans Pipe Masters
(Dec 8 - 20, 2024)
What: Men & women world-renowned surfers, by invitation only from Vans.
Where: Banzai Pipeline, Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: December 8 - 20, 2024.
The Vans Pipe Masters is the surf competition I’d tell you not to miss! With over five decades of history, this exclusive invitational brings together the top men and women surfers to compete at one of the world's most challenging, perfect barreling wave.
The Eddie Big Wave Invitational
(Dec 14, 2024 - March 13, 2025)
What: Invitation-Only Big Wave Surf Contest in memory of Eddie Aikau
Where: Waimea Bay, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: December 14 - March 13, 2025.
'The Eddie' is one of the world’s most prestigious and exciting big-wave surf competitions to watch. For it to run, the waves must consistently be 40 feet throughout the day, which is why the holding period lasts three months.
These swells are rare, so the event has only happened 10 times since it began in 1984. When it’s on, it’s a big deal, so don’t miss it! If you're on Oahu, plan to go; otherwise, watch it live online.
This contest is unique as it is a one-day event with six-person heats, and winners are determined by their total score from two one-hour heats.
Here are a few highlights from the 2023 event and more info about this prestigious Hawaii surf competition.
The contest was named in memory of legendary lifeguard Eddie Aikau, who saved hundreds of lives. He was also one of the only surfers brave enough to paddle out in huge surf at Waimea Bay - that's how the iconic phrase “Eddie would go” came to be.
Insider's Tip
The town comes to a standstill when this event is on! Traffic gets intense, the beach and cliffs are packed with spectators, and parking is tough to find.
The best approach is to ride your bike or arrive early to secure parking if you're driving, bring food and water, and plan to stay the whole day on the beach.
Da Hui Backdoor Shootout
(Jan 4 - 16, 2025)
What: Oahu surf competition hosted by Da Hui.
Where: Banzai Pipeline, Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: January 4 - 16, 2025.
The Da Hui Backdoor Shootout is an invitation-only surf competition on the North Shore featuring top Pipeline surfers from Hawaii and around the world. This event, held in memory of Duke Kahanamoku, is super exciting to watch!
Lexus Pipe Pro
(Jan 29 - Feb 10, 2025)
What: WSL Championship Tour (Men’s & Women’s)
Where: Banzai Pipeline, Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore Oahu
Holding Period: January 27 - February 8, 2025.
The Lexus Pipe Pro is another major surf contest at Banzai Pipeline this year. It marks the first stop of the Championship Tour season, and it's exciting because the top pro surfers in the world will compete.
Pipeline is such an amazing and difficult wave that performing well here can really launch a surfer's career. If you're in Hawaii during the holding period, this is another one you must watch live.
Other Notable Surf Competitions in 2024/2025
Other surf competitions are happening on the North Shore this season too. If you’re on Oahu during the holding period, it’s worth planning to check them out. Here are the event names and schedules:
- Women's Waimea Bay Championship: September 5 - December 3, 2024
- Pipe Bodyboard Championship: February 25 - March 10, 2025
- Pipe Bodysurfing Classic: Mar 21 - Apr 3, 2025
Insider's Tip
If you're heading out to watch any of the surf competitions, here are some essentials to bring along to the beach:
- A camera and a sharpie to get photos and autographs from the pro surfers.
- Beach chairs, towels, or a sarong to relax on the sand.
- A beach umbrella for shade.
- Water and snacks if you plan to spend the entire day on the beach.
- Sunblock, sunglasses, and a sunshirt to stay protected from the sun.
Any questions about these surf competitions? Let me know in the comments below! Here are a few resources to help you plan your trip to the North Shore:
robert says
I heard the triple crown of surfing is still run but on a virtual basis. Do you have any info on this contest. Like rules, prize money and whom can enter?
Adriana says
Hi Robert, as far as we know, the Triple Crown of Surfing is no longer running. The last time it ran was 2022, and Finn McGill won the men's, and Carissa Moore won the women's. The total prize purse split between the men and women was $200,000. The surfers who were able to surf in the events in the past always had to qualify via the WCT & WQS tours. Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any other questions. Take care
Angel says
What time do surf competitions generally start? We will be there during the Da Hui competition.
Thank you
Adriana says
Hi Angel, the competition usually starts around 8 am each day. The organizers assess ocean conditions every morning during the contest window. If the conditions look good, they announce that the contest is on. You can check the contest status on Surfline or the event's website.