Wave rush in Hawaii: The competition for the snow wave begins!

Wave rush in Hawaii: The competition for the snow wave begins!

Winter has begun on Oahu and with it the exciting high season for surfers. The starting signal was given on December 1, 2025 'Wave of the Winter', a special initiative created by surfers Liam McNamara, Jeff Hall and Jake Howard. This event, which promises to reward the best waves of the winter, attracts not only professionals but also amateurs and provides valuable support to the local community by raising over $100,000 in funds.

The famous spots like Pipeline, Backdoor and Off the Wall are heavily frequented and offer immense challenges. The Pipeline, often referred to as the most dangerous wave in the world, is particularly popular with surfers. The winner of the ‘Wave of the Winter’ can look forward to a prize of a whopping $25,000 for a single ride. There are also monthly awards of at least $5,000 for the ‘Wave of the Month’, for both surfers and cameramen. A special highlight is the award for a first responder, which also comes with a prize of $5,000.

Exciting competitions and traditions

The surfing season on Oahu, which runs from November to March, is known for more than just the ‘Wave of the Winter’. For example, the recognized event takes place on December 8th Pipe Masters into the next round. This prestigious tournament, which has been celebrated since 1961, is the final event of the Triple Crown and is also part of the World Surf League. The waves are known for their massive dimensions and challenging conditions over coral reefs. Maybe the Pipe Masters will have exciting surprises in store this year too.

But that's not all: it starts on December 15thEddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, which is only held when the wave conditions are suitable. Here the waves must be at least 40 to 50 feet high to honor the legacy of celebrated surfer and lifeguard Eddie Aikau. In addition, with theVolcom Pipe Pro, which takes place between January 29th and February 10th, will be another important event in the surfing scene.

For those looking for a less impressive surfing experience, the calmer waves of Waikiki Bay are a good choice to relax after the exciting competitions and enjoy the impressive performances of the best surfers in the world.

This year’s ‘Wave of the Winter’ will be exciting, especially with the distinctive jury spotlighting both local talent and international names. It remains to be seen whether the favorites can actually win this year; after all, a lot depends on the right moment.

The competitive spirit is awake and the first swells could soon lead to historic waves - the surfing season has just begun and promises exciting developments for fans and surfers alike!