With unique characteristics, dangerous and seductive at the same time, Pipeline is among the waves most feared by surfers.

Its waves are the dream of many, but also the biggest challenge for others. Winning is everyone’s desire, but the size of the risk is enormous.

The wave is absolutely beautiful and captivating, but at the same time fierce and lethal.

The best conditions for Pipeline arise when the swell is from the west or northwest direction, between October and March, like the rest of the North Shore spots.

Just as they seduce surfers because of the glory of surfing there, Pipeline also scares them and brings real risks of death. The beach has, among its main characteristics, the “reefs”, that is, coral reefs that lie on the surface of the sea.

These corals become quite dangerous because they are only 1 meter deep in some areas. In other words, a fall can result in serious accidents.

The Pipeline has 3 types of reefs

The main peak, on the first bench, a narrow reef with pointy rocks and caves, about 45-50 meters from shore.

The speed of the wave when it hits the bank causes it to result in the “Pipeline,” a unique tube in the world that can last, on average, between five and seven seconds.

The second reef, at about 75-100 meters, which begins to signal when the swell reaches 10-12 feet. With the larger sea, this bank allows surfers to get into the waves earlier, preventing a quick drop. Here too there is a tube forming.

Then we have the third reed, about 200-300 meters from shore, known to be a fat, choppy wave, not very conducive to surfing.

Over time, Pipeline has left many victims, but it has also left its reputation as the most dangerous surfing peak on the planet.

The waves break violently over a shallow rock bank (sometimes only 1 meter deep), are difficult to read, and the high crowd leads to a tense and aggressive atmosphere.

We have separated a video for you to understand how Pipeline works: