Into the Blue: Half A Mile Offshore Waikiki FN2404Have you ever ventured far enough offshore to see a color of ocean you can’t paint or even describe. This is a tale of going beyond… going into the blue.
There are rare occurrences in life that leave us in wonder and awe; you really had to be there. This is one of those times, not many go beyond the break and witness the ocean’s wonder and beauty. On the south shore of Oahu it is half a mile to a mile out to sea, where the color of the sea is pure and captivating. This must be where the sirens and mermaids dwell because it is the most beautiful blue water you’ll ever experience. One of natures sweet seductions. There are few experiences that truly leave you exhilarated in such a pure way; surfing the energy of the ocean, summiting a mountain peak, sailing a starry night, venturing far north and witnessing the painted sky or the northern lights, and paddling out into the blue. All of which take a courage to go beyond, beyond the average, beyond the normal, beyond our comfort or safety. The secret is, beyond is where life get’s real. On a calm, warm winter day, we decided to go out into the blue. We knew the starting point; Kaimana, we knew the destination; Ala Moana, but we were open to the journey we would have along the way. We were 8 paddlers, all on Stand Up paddle boards, The path to navigate was the southern waters offshore the legendary Waikiki Beach. This time of the year there are days that can be so calm the surfers go out to only to sit and enjoy the water. This was one of those days. As we ventured beyond, where few paddle, we entered an area of ocean known to us as the ascension zone. Kai in Hawaiian means the ocean near the shore and Moana means open ocean. This area is the transition of Kai to Moana or as we like to call it the place we could lift off straight into heaven. As we sat on our boards half a mile out to sea, the color of blue was mesmerizing, the sea turtles were surfacing, and the great Iwa (Frigate birds) were soaring high over head. We sat soaking in the soft breeze, lapping swell, and all that nature had to offer that day. Moments like those will always be remembered, beyond the noise, and commotion of regular life. Here, time slows and the sun softens and the day flows like a gentle rocking ship at sea. As we worked ourselves out of the daze and back to the paddle, we came upon a place known as Turtle Canyon, a place we anticipated to see many of our honu friends, as we approached and looked around we were surprised with something even more rare fast approaching. A pod of bottlenose dolphins were on the horizon making fast work towards us from the rear. So we slowed our pace and they caught up. They must have been curious to see an out of placed pod of paddlers so far offshore and wanted to interact with some friendly locals. It was an incredible experience, they began to swim back and forth in between all our boards, dipping down then back up breaching to catch a peek of us. They came close enough to touch and kept pace with us as if guiding us safely to shore. They weren’t brief either, but spent a good 10 minutes merging their pod with ours. Dolphins have often been known to come to the aid of humans at sea. That day they came to make a memory we’ll never forget! As they left, as all good things do, we were left with exchanging glances of euphoria all the way back to our destination; safe and sound, guided by the guardians of the deep. Get out into the blue, when the conditions are right and the ocean is welcoming, and make memories that last! |
Q
Into the Blue “Half a mile offshore, a 2.37 mile paddle, starting at Kaimana and ending at Ala Moana on the South Shore of Oahu… we became one with nature.” 
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