The Official Surf Guide of Hawaii - Hawaii Guide to South Shore Surf Spots Waikiki|ALOHASURFGUIDE.COM

South Shore Surf Spots

THE SOUTH SHORE -- This coastline is known for its many family beaches like Ala Moana Beach and of course our state's principal attraction, Waikiki Beach. Activities like surfing, snorkeling, tide pooling, swimming, and most general ocean recreation are all popular on the South Shore. The South shore is a good place to learn and improve your surfing skills. See beginner spots for more.

Caution should be taken during seasonal high surf in the summer. New comers should be very careful when they surf or body surf off the South shore, especially at Sandy Beach. Ask the lifeguards about conditions! And, if in doubt, just stay out!

South Shore-The Duke's Legacy & OceanFest

Although surfing saw a decline in the late 1800s, surfing would rise again with the help of a few courageous surfers. Duke Kahanamoku is one of the most remembered and respected Hawaiian surfer.The Duke is credited with bringing surfing to the mainland and possibly to Australia. In 1905, Duke and his surfer buddies started a surfing club that was to influence many, called Hui Nalu (Club of Waves). Duke and his comrades were known as the "Beach Boys of Waikiki," true kings of a sport in the midst of an epic comeback.
Each year the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku is celebrated at the famous Duke's OceanFest on Waikiki Beach. It is a week long festival, held usually in August and features a variety of exciting surf/water sports competitions, including the legends of surfing , men's, women's and keiki (children) surf contests, one mile swim, stand-up surf contest, Hawaii Paddleboard Championship, and other events that pay tribute to the local waterman. (Duke's history below)

Memories of Duke

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was born August 24, 1890 in downtown Honolulu. Who would have known that 78 years later he would not only be known as Hawaii's greatest athlete, but the father of international surfing and its ambassador of Aloha.

Almost 22 when he won his first Olympic gold medal, Duke represented the United States in the Olympics for the next 20 years, winning not only medals but also the hearts of people all over the world. He is remembered not just as a swimmer for his remarkable speed, but for his grace in the water, good humor and sportsmanship.

Duke Kahanamoku Duke won his first Olympic gold medal and set a world record in the 100-meter free-style and won a silver as a participant in the 200-meter relay in Stockholm in 1912. He won his second and third gold medals in 1920 during the Antwerp Olympics, again breaking his world record in the 100-meter free-style and setting a world record on the free-style relay team. In the 1924 Paris Olympics, he won a silver medal for the 100-meter free-style. Then in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, he was awarded a bronze medal as an alternate on the water polo team.

First to be inducted into both the swimming and surfing Halls of Fame, Duke won medals, trophies and worldwide fame as a swimmer, but surfed purely for the fun of it in an era before surfing was a competitive sport. His legendary longboard surfing was recorded on news reels. Museums and memorials in Australia, California, Florida, New York, Hawaii and elsewhere pay tribute to his influence on surfers and the sport of surfing all over the world. Duke also is recognized in the Citizens Savings Hall of Fame Athletic Museum.

Duke Kahanamoku Duke was a descendant of Hawaiian royalty. And, although not a duke, his achievements in swimming and surfing, along with his good looks and unaffected charm, brought him the attention and admiration of royalty and a nine-year career in Hollywood. He appeared in about 30 movies and, although some were very minor roles, his career bridged the old silent movies and the "talkies." By nature, he was more suited to the silent movie. Duke never capitalized on his fame and was always gracious.

"He was concerned about everybody, especially the guys who were working the beach. He knew it wasn't easy, that you had to have a special type of talent," said former Waikiki beachboy George Downing. The "Waikiki beachboy" is a relic from another era. Legend casts him as a bronzed water man with enormous charm, good humor and musical genius. Duke was an originator of this group of surfers, and some still can be found on the beaches at Waikiki.

Duke was most at home in Hawaii, among his family and friends and close to the ocean he loved. He spoke Hawaiian, he loved hula and he embodied Hawaii's spirit of aloha. He was sheriff for the City and County of Honolulu and loved his job. Duke also did a two-year stint as a gas station operator between his Hollywood years and his 26 years as sheriff.

He married Nadine Alexander on August 2, 1940. She survived him by nearly 30 years and died on July 17, 1997.

The world bid Duke aloha on January 22, 1968. He was remembered in Congress and in national magazines and newspapers as a symbol of Hawaii, and as a man of many accomplishments who was at peace with himself.

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Honolulu Tide Chart

SAFETY FIRST-REMEMBER!
Surf heights are forecast heights of the face or front of waves. The surf forecast is based on the significant wave height, the average height of the one third largest waves, in the zone of maximum refraction. Some waves may be more than twice as high as the significant wave height. Expect to encounter rip currents in or near any surf zone.

In Hawaii we greet friends, loved ones or strangers with "Aloha," which means with love. Aloha is the key word to the universal spirit of real hospitality, which makes Hawaii renowned as the world's center of understanding and fellowship.

Try meeting or leaving people with Aloha. You'll be surprised by their reaction. I believe it, and it is my creed. Aloha to you. Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

This message was printed on the back of his personal business card, on the bronze plaque with Duke's statue at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki and in Sandra Kimberley Hall's and Greg Ambrose's "Memories of Duke: The Legend Comes to Life" (1995).