Off-The-Wall surf guide
Surf: Off-The-Wall (a.k.a Kodak Reef) is the classic, high quality, super-crowded, right sprint that's been a favourite with photographers since the '70s. Separated from Pipe by a short channel, swells need to arrive with N in them to get the rights opening up over what is essentially a straight bit of reef. Smaller, less perfect lefts peel back towards Backdoor and may offer visitors more of a chance of actually catching a wave, because the crowds can be very intense. Shallow and unforgiving, but barrels guaranteed at mid-tide on an overhead NW swell.
Environment: Only the best surfers will get any waves out here.
Surf: General: As close to a hoax as any famous wave of the past 30 years, Off-The-Wall (OTW) is a single slab of reef just to the west of Backdoor and Pipeline. Off-The-Wall can have its golden moments. OTW is separated from the Backdoor reef by a narrow, deep crevice, which blocks some swells from closing out across both breaks. The OTW reef is largely flat lava, with a mound of shallower reef near its northern edge. It is best in a slightly fractured, overhead NW swell. It's a wedging right, with some smaller lefts peeling back toward Backdoor. On precisely the right wave, OTW will produce a beautiful almond-shaped barrel; many waves will be caught and ridden to closeout point by the hopeful surfer before that ideal one is found.
Tides: Medium
Size: Head high-2X overhead
Wind: Calm or light to moderate ENE to S.
Swell: NW to N
Bottom: Reef with some pockets of sand
Paddling: Breaks close in and the rides are not super long.
Spot Rating: Hollow and fast when it's on.
Access: Easy: Use Ehukai Beach Park parking lot, or park along Kam Highway where authorized.
Crowds: Crowd Factor: Hit or miss, but count on at least a handful of surfers out when breaking
Local Vibe: Humility and respect a must.
Environment: Clean. Beautiful, clear, blue water.
Hazards: Reef, tough paddle back out.
Season: Winter