Tracks goes trawling for waves when the others are too packed.

The Tracks house’s front yard sits directly in front of Kammies… Lunch break anyone? Pic: Col B

Coming to Hawaii? Expecting nothing, but crowds and intimidation? Well, you’re right. It is crowded and intimidating. However, if you time it right and drive away from places like Pipeline, Backdoor and Sunset, you can potentially find a (relatively) uncrowded wave. Here are some options.

V-Land –
Just up the road from Sunset (we’re not telling you how far), V-Land – short for Velzyland – is a righthand reef that can offer up fun and smackable walls. Note: Locals are renowned to be heavy around this neck of the woods.

Kammies –
Just across the bay from Sunset. Kammies throws up long rights and a short bowly left, that breaks in the smallest swells. Crowds can often flare out, but if you time it right, you can get a session with you and five to ten guys (that’s uncrowded by Hawaiian terms). Note: When the recent Sunset WQS event was double banking, half the heats had to surf Kammies.

Backyards –
The deepest point at Sunset. Backyards is the point you see breaking way up the point when Sunset isn’t. Capable of pumping in big and small swells, Backyards recently hosted the final of the Sunset WQS final where Raoni Monteiro, Josh Kerr, Julian Wilson and Granger Larsen all battled it out for Sunset glory. Note: The end section at Backyards is notoriously shallow and has been known to do damage to crafts and limbs.

Two time world champ and Eddie Aikau invitee Tom Carroll playing alone in Monster Mush lefts. Pic: Col B

Monster Mush –
Located in between Rocky Point and Kammies. Monster Mush is a bunch of burgery left and right peaks that can often throw out fun little walls, especially when its sister waves are chocked to the brim with kooks, pros and everyone in between.  

Gums –
Located just to the north of Pipeline. Gums tosses up some punchy, but otherwise fat lefts and rights. If you’re looking to cruise and take it (kinda) easy, then this could be your wave. Note: Because of its proximity to Pipeline and Backdoor, Gums can often get the spill-over population, who want to surf, just off to the side off Pipe.

Leftovers –
Way down past Waimea. A fat(ish) left reef that breaks on at outside section and runs down the line when it gets to the inside. We’d tell you where it is, but we don’t want to get killed. You’ll find it if you look hard enough.