Today is the day. Today I will come face to face with the gnarliest spot on the North Shore, PIPELINE.

We arrived at the sandy parking lot of Ehukai Beach Park, and already I could hear the waves breaking beyond the bushes. Excitedly I unpack my board and head off down the beach.

As I stand looking out at the ocean for a place to surf dad says "Let's try Pipeline."

"No way," I answered. "That's where Blue Crush was filmed. It is way too radical for me."

But, then dad points out the spot to me and says, "It's small. We will sit on the shoulder and the only thing that would jeopardize your safety is if you go backdooor pipe which you won't because we'll only go for 'nice and easy' lefts." (Taj Barrow was out and ripping the rights.)

I agreed, not sure inside of me if I wanted to do this because even though it was small THIS WAS PIPELINE.

I paddle out at a pretty fast pace trying to keep up with my dad as the strong current pushes us away from the spot. Finally we reach an area where the current actually helped us and we made it.

We just got out when the sets started rolling in. A couple of small barrels rolled toward us and then, outside I see a huge barrel starting to thunder toward us. As it comes closer I move to the side and listen to it pound itself. The sound is scary and cool at the same time. I wondered when I would be able to ride one of those gigantic barrels. I think that it is going to take a bit of hard work.

Aloha, Carissa Moore