RELATED SEARCHES
Sponsored Famous Break Results:
Famous Breaks: Bells Beach, Puerto Escondido, Teahupo'o And Mavericks
By:
Published: October 30, 2006
Although surfing has found its way to most of the world's coasts, few places can claim host to some of the world's most famous breaks. Most every surfer has his list of favorites; local haunts, personal favorites, a few left from the list for good measure. The following ten can be agreed on by all surfers however.
These famous breaks, sought out for their consistency, quality, and beauty are the best the world has to offer. Professionals flock to them, novices study them, but both dream about them.
Banzai Pipeline
Perhaps the most renowned of surfing's famous breaks, the Banzai Pipeline is the aspiration of every surfer–amateur and professional, beginner and expert. Located off the north shore of O'ahu, Hawaii at Ehukai Beach, even on its most surfable day, the pipeline is considered dangerous. The waves reach twenty-five feet without effort during the winter months–the most popular time for surfers to visit the Banzai Pipeline. Along with unsafe waters, the environment is also hazardous with sharp rocks and corrals. The pipeline is known for its speed, power and of course, it’s hollow. Popularity among surfers local and worldwide has made the Banzai Pipeline overly crowded and less appealing for many surfers.
Jeffreys Bay and Cape of St. Francis
Perhaps known for its frigid waters as much as its famous breaks, South Africa is home to two of surfing's famous breaks, off the shores of Jeffreys Bay and the waters off the Cape of St. Francis. The waters swell regularly throughout the summer months at both spots. Jeffreys Bay is consistent with swells upwards of 10 feet. Waves are long, quick and strong. Every year Jeffreys Bay plays host to the Billabong Pro Surfing tournament. The Cape of St. Francis is kind to all surfers, not as intense or crowded as its sister at Jeffreys Bay.
Bells Beach and Snapper Rock
Among many excellent quality breaks on the island-continent, Bells Beach and Snapper Rock are perhaps Australia's most famous breaks. Located at Melbourne, Bell Beach is known for its great, long hollows that range upwards of 16 feet. Despite famous tournaments like the Rip Curl Gromsearch National Series and the Bells Beach Surf Classic, Bells has remained relatively quiet compared to icons like the Pipeline. Like all famous breaks, Snapper Rock is best surfed by experienced surfers. It is known for generating a good ledge, consistent hollow and sufficient power. It is far more crowded than its counterpart for good reason, usually putting out quality waves throughout the year.
Malibu
California has long been known for famous breaks up and down the coast of SoCal. Surfrider at Malibu stands out however. Historically, Malibu is considered one of the first mainland beaches to attract surfers. With its clear blue waters, consistent breaks and quality swells, Malibu still attracts regular crowds. Malibu is also home to one of the world's oldest surf clubs, The Malibu Surfing Association, which has operated since the early 1960s. Also, Malibu is home to one of the most enduring surfing tournaments, The Malibu Classic, a longboard contest started in 1962.
Bay of Grajagan
Also known by its less formal name, G-Land, the Bay of Grajagan has been popular since the early 1970s. Located at East Java, the swells at G-Land are fueled by weather systems originating in Antarctica. Despite the cold origins, the bay's waters are warm and the waves are considered perfect, attracting people en masse since the late 1970s. The famous breaks are considered prime late in the month, especially from late spring through the late summer/ early fall. The Bay of Grajagan is known for its high speed hollows that reach excess of twenty feet. Because of its isolation, a tourist trade has sprung up in the area. Surf resorts/ camps like Bobby's Surf Camp and G-Land Surf Camp have thrived and continue to grow to accommodate itinerant surfers looking to escape their local surf spots crowds.
Puerto Escondido
Known for its size and speed, the famous breaks of Puerto Escondido are much sought after by some of surfing's most illustrious surfers. Found off the shores of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido has come to be known as the Mexican Pipeline. This famous break has drawn worldwide attention for waves upwards of twenty feet. Since 2005, Puerto Escondido has played host to the X-Games surfing competition.
Teahupo'o
Located off Tahiti, Teahupo'o is a popular stop for surfers of all stripes, including big wave surfers. Known for its hollows and speed, Teahupo'o's heavy swells can reach upwards of twelve feet with consistency. Formerly a respite for the International Bodyboarding Association World Tour, it is now the annual home of the Billabong Pro Tahiti surfing tournament.
Mavericks
One of the world's most dangerous, but nonetheless famous breaks is at Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay in northern California. First surfed in the late 1960s, the Mavericks is known for its ice-cold waves known to reach heights upwards of 25 to nearly 50 feet. The Mavericks have achieved fame for its annual tournament "The 24." Popular for its short notice (24 hours) and its exclusiveness (only 24 competitors) The 24 can happen anytime after sufficient winter storms over the Pacific have occurred. The Mavericks are notoriously dangerous for their (understated) power and the treacherous quality beneath the water.
Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach). 2006. NorthShore.com. 19 Oct 2006. www.northshore.com
The Wave. 2006. Mavericks Surf Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.mavericks.bolt.com
The 24. 2006. Mavericks Surf Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.mavericks.bolt.com
About Us. 2006. G-Land Surf Camp. 19 Oct 2006. www.g-landsurfcamp.com
Home. 2006. Billabong Pro Jeffereys Bay. 19 Oct 2006. www.billabongpro.com
History of the MSA. 2006. Malibu Surfing Association. 19 Oct 2006. www.malibusurfing.com
Find A Surfspot. 2006. WannaSurf.com. 19 Oct 2006. www.wannasurf.com
Puerto Escondido Venue Information. 2006. ESPN Internet Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.expn.com
Surfing. 2006. Wikipedia. 19 Oct 2006. www.wikipedia.org
Banzai Pipeline
Perhaps the most renowned of surfing's famous breaks, the Banzai Pipeline is the aspiration of every surfer–amateur and professional, beginner and expert. Located off the north shore of O'ahu, Hawaii at Ehukai Beach, even on its most surfable day, the pipeline is considered dangerous. The waves reach twenty-five feet without effort during the winter months–the most popular time for surfers to visit the Banzai Pipeline. Along with unsafe waters, the environment is also hazardous with sharp rocks and corrals. The pipeline is known for its speed, power and of course, it’s hollow. Popularity among surfers local and worldwide has made the Banzai Pipeline overly crowded and less appealing for many surfers.
Jeffreys Bay and Cape of St. Francis
Perhaps known for its frigid waters as much as its famous breaks, South Africa is home to two of surfing's famous breaks, off the shores of Jeffreys Bay and the waters off the Cape of St. Francis. The waters swell regularly throughout the summer months at both spots. Jeffreys Bay is consistent with swells upwards of 10 feet. Waves are long, quick and strong. Every year Jeffreys Bay plays host to the Billabong Pro Surfing tournament. The Cape of St. Francis is kind to all surfers, not as intense or crowded as its sister at Jeffreys Bay.
Bells Beach and Snapper Rock
Among many excellent quality breaks on the island-continent, Bells Beach and Snapper Rock are perhaps Australia's most famous breaks. Located at Melbourne, Bell Beach is known for its great, long hollows that range upwards of 16 feet. Despite famous tournaments like the Rip Curl Gromsearch National Series and the Bells Beach Surf Classic, Bells has remained relatively quiet compared to icons like the Pipeline. Like all famous breaks, Snapper Rock is best surfed by experienced surfers. It is known for generating a good ledge, consistent hollow and sufficient power. It is far more crowded than its counterpart for good reason, usually putting out quality waves throughout the year.
Malibu
California has long been known for famous breaks up and down the coast of SoCal. Surfrider at Malibu stands out however. Historically, Malibu is considered one of the first mainland beaches to attract surfers. With its clear blue waters, consistent breaks and quality swells, Malibu still attracts regular crowds. Malibu is also home to one of the world's oldest surf clubs, The Malibu Surfing Association, which has operated since the early 1960s. Also, Malibu is home to one of the most enduring surfing tournaments, The Malibu Classic, a longboard contest started in 1962.
Bay of Grajagan
Also known by its less formal name, G-Land, the Bay of Grajagan has been popular since the early 1970s. Located at East Java, the swells at G-Land are fueled by weather systems originating in Antarctica. Despite the cold origins, the bay's waters are warm and the waves are considered perfect, attracting people en masse since the late 1970s. The famous breaks are considered prime late in the month, especially from late spring through the late summer/ early fall. The Bay of Grajagan is known for its high speed hollows that reach excess of twenty feet. Because of its isolation, a tourist trade has sprung up in the area. Surf resorts/ camps like Bobby's Surf Camp and G-Land Surf Camp have thrived and continue to grow to accommodate itinerant surfers looking to escape their local surf spots crowds.
Puerto Escondido
Known for its size and speed, the famous breaks of Puerto Escondido are much sought after by some of surfing's most illustrious surfers. Found off the shores of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido has come to be known as the Mexican Pipeline. This famous break has drawn worldwide attention for waves upwards of twenty feet. Since 2005, Puerto Escondido has played host to the X-Games surfing competition.
Teahupo'o
Located off Tahiti, Teahupo'o is a popular stop for surfers of all stripes, including big wave surfers. Known for its hollows and speed, Teahupo'o's heavy swells can reach upwards of twelve feet with consistency. Formerly a respite for the International Bodyboarding Association World Tour, it is now the annual home of the Billabong Pro Tahiti surfing tournament.
Mavericks
One of the world's most dangerous, but nonetheless famous breaks is at Pillar Point near Half Moon Bay in northern California. First surfed in the late 1960s, the Mavericks is known for its ice-cold waves known to reach heights upwards of 25 to nearly 50 feet. The Mavericks have achieved fame for its annual tournament "The 24." Popular for its short notice (24 hours) and its exclusiveness (only 24 competitors) The 24 can happen anytime after sufficient winter storms over the Pacific have occurred. The Mavericks are notoriously dangerous for their (understated) power and the treacherous quality beneath the water.
Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach). 2006. NorthShore.com. 19 Oct 2006. www.northshore.com
The Wave. 2006. Mavericks Surf Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.mavericks.bolt.com
The 24. 2006. Mavericks Surf Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.mavericks.bolt.com
About Us. 2006. G-Land Surf Camp. 19 Oct 2006. www.g-landsurfcamp.com
Home. 2006. Billabong Pro Jeffereys Bay. 19 Oct 2006. www.billabongpro.com
History of the MSA. 2006. Malibu Surfing Association. 19 Oct 2006. www.malibusurfing.com
Find A Surfspot. 2006. WannaSurf.com. 19 Oct 2006. www.wannasurf.com
Puerto Escondido Venue Information. 2006. ESPN Internet Ventures. 19 Oct 2006. www.expn.com
Surfing. 2006. Wikipedia. 19 Oct 2006. www.wikipedia.org
Featured Famous Break Products:
