Hawaii spots for advanced beginner/intermediate in January

[Samaire]

Hello everyone

I want to go surfing in Hawaii in January and am looking for a decent spot for my current skill level. I'd say advanced beginner-slowly-going-on-intermediate probably describes it best (can ride max 3ft greens on reef, paddling strength is relatively solid by now, easy turns are fine - but not comfortable in anything larger than 3 on reef or 4 on beach, and need work on timing and positioning as well as comfort and confidence around crowds). I've surfed mainly reef so far and prefer it to beach. I'm also goofy and have a strong preference for lefts (though I should probably work on that backside a little too I guess...)

Needless to say the North shore(s) is/are out this time a year, but where else would be good? I've surfed near Lahaina as a complete beginner, but now I'm not sure where to go? I'd prefer Maui (or Kauai) to Oahu, but am fine with either if the spot's good. Or I could do one week on one island and one on another.

Any ideas?

Thanks, S.

[Surf Hound]

anywhere on the south shores will be fine. Just because the north shore will ge getting all the press with the VTCS going on, the south shores break all year long. There were many days when the north shore would be going off and I stayed on the south side just because less crowds. You could go to Maui again and surf Lahaina if you like lefts, go to Honolulu and surf town all year or go to Kauai and surf its south shore as well. In Hawaii the north shore produces surf in the winter and the south shores produce surf all year though it is better in the summer but still fine in the winter. Be respectful while you are there and you will be fine. Its cool to go to the north shore and watch the pro's/locales during winter but avoid surfing anything facing north until you are ready. Conditions change very quickly on the north shore and a friendly day can turn mean in a couple hours time. Stay south and you will be fine

[oldmansurfer]

I live on Kauai but don't get around to any of the breaks other than Wailua beach which would be hit or miss for you. Of course it depends on what you mean by 3 feet. If you mean head high then that makes it a bit better however the reef break in Wailua is often not for beginners. I am not aware of a beginner left reef break here. I haven't been surfing in Hanalei (the north shore here) in recent times but I hear that sometimes if the waves aren't too big there are lots of little sandbar breaks that the beginner ride. Sorry not much help

[waikikikichan]

What type of board do you normally ride ? What board do you plan to rent ( or bring with you - which I don't recommend ) ? That info is needed to recommend a surf spot.

[Samaire]

Hello guys - thanks for all your input! I'm torn between Oahu's South shore or Lahaina now... Though I've been to Kauai too and loved it, but not sure I want to go there on this trip... I think I would prefer to be near or at the same spot for several consecutive days now rather than switching spots a lot - from previous trips I realised that I need some time getting used to a new spot... I'm also a little cash-strapped and am not sure I can afford island-hopping this time

I ride a 6'8" and am planning to bring it, mainly because the quality of surf boards that are usually up for rent are not really good and because I got very used to my own board. I recently tried to surf on a rented one of the same size and it was just not working for me...

[waikikikichan]

if you're planning to surf the South shore of Oahu, Don't bring a board. You can rent a board for $100 for 7 days, which is usually cheaper than the fee the airline charges. If the Airline damages your board then what you going to do ? The boards rented on the beach are more for beginners. Off the beach there are surf shops with a wide variety of performance boards.