Now that the Hurley Pro Sunset is done and dusted, North Shore pros can relax a little bit. No nerves, no prying judges’ eyes, no jerseys. There’s still quite a bit of energy in the water, and of all the waves on the North Shore to surf when you’re looking to relax while there’s quite a bit of energy in the water, Rocky Point is the one.
It’s a world-class wave, don’t get me wrong, but in comparison to waves like bombing Sunset or giant Pipe, Rockies is a little more… user-friendly. On any given day there — as long as there are waves — you’re likely to paddle out with some of the best surfers in the world. In the session above, it’s not just John John Florence and Jack Johnson, but Koa Rothman, Koa Smith, Nathan Florence, Griffin Colapinto, Parker Coffin, Josh Moniz, and more.
“Conditions on this Thursday morning started off with strong trade wind but mellowed out as the day went on,” wrote Surfers of Hawaii. “Waves heights were in the 4-6ft range offering some really fun and rippable surf.”
A quick aside before you hit play above: I was surfing Rocky rights a few years back. Many of the usual suspects were out, including the late, great Mikala Jones. It was a little too big for my comfort level, and I was doing that thing where you’re dodging waves but really just making it look as though you just didn’t like that one, even though that one was basically perfect.
I’d spoken with Mikala a few times in passing, and I think he knew I was a little nervous. Mikala pulled into an amazing barrel as I was paddling a little farther outside. I gave him a little hoot and he grinned at me. When he paddled back out, he nodded at me. “Next one is yours,” he said. The next one came. It was a good one, feathering slightly as it rolled in. With someone like Mikala telling you to go, I had no choice. I pulled in, made what I thought was a decent drop, then proceeded to get absolutely axed by the lip.
I bounced off the reef a few times, then came up in that shallow zone on the inside, awkwardly trying to stand up on the reef in ankle deep water. When I made it back outside, Mikala asked me how that one was. I turned and showed him my bloody back. Mikala laughed. “Not so good, huh?” he said. “Next one’s yours.”
