Off-the-Wall

Surf Guide

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, however, and, in these days of crazy crowding, it is never overlooked, thus crowds -- especially pros looking to nab a cover-worthy photo in the witer -- are always a factor. The break's given name stems from a rock wall built next to a public right-of-way off Ke Nui road. In the water, 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 4-6 foot northwest 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.