New Season Kicking Off at Sunset

The 2010 edition of the WQS is already under way, starting out with the Sunset Open out on Oahu's North Shore. This winter's epic conditions appear to be continuing and after a couple of lay days due to closeouts, the contest is expected to pick back up again on Tuesday. For a WQS 1 Star there have been some serious names attracted to this event ... Sunny Garcia, Freddy P, Jamie O, Pancho Sullivan and John John Florence.

Here's what we think about Sunset and a couple of the surrounding spots:

"Sunset: Set of reefs dealing with swells from N through W. Northerly swells break the wave up into different peaks, and make the place a little more sharing as a result. On a classic big West swell with trades, Sunset is a heavy, jacking peak that develops into a hollow, sucky, thick lipped beast. These swells catch the trades side-offshore, and the result means heavy long-boards and serious intent are required to get you into the wave. 4-15ft. Major rips. Crowds. Experts.

Sunset Point, further inside, is a quality R breaking at 3-6ft on NW-W swells. It can lose shape on N swells. Crowds. Intermediate.

Just East is Backyards; fickle, often shifty proposition that goes left and right, and works from 4-12ft. Currents and unpredictable peaks absorb surfers well. Expert or tow-in.

Finally, Outside Sunset: huge right tow-in spot when Sunset is closed out. Can work all the way through Outside Backyards, which is a right / left outer monster too, with shallow reef under the end section. Hell-men only!"

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