Jaws, Maui – The Liquid Ramp
The Apex Predator: Where Maui's Mountains Meet Ocean Monsters
The Apex Predator
Where Maui's Mountains Meet Ocean Monsters. Jaws (Peʻahi) is a barreling, high-speed monster that’s redefined what’s possible in surfing. A place where riders don’t just surf – they fly.
Welcome to Jaws, officially known as Peʻahi, on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii. This isn't just a big wave; it's a liquid behemoth that redefines what's possible in surfing. Named "Jaws" because of the terrifying power and speed with which it can devour anything in its path, this wave is a marvel of nature – a steep, fast, barreling monster that offers the ultimate canvas for daring aerials and record-setting rides. Prepare to be blown away.
Jaws at a Glance: Quick Facts for the Adrenaline Junkies
- Location: North Shore of Maui, Hawaii, USA (off the coast of Peʻahi)
- The Secret Sauce: A unique reef formation combined with deep ocean swells and strong trade winds, producing a fast-moving, hollow, offshore-breaking wave.
- Wave Type: Mostly a right-hand point break, with wide barrels and potential for huge aerials. A difficult left sometimes forms.
- Best Season: Winter (November to March), fueled by massive North Pacific swells.
- Claim to Fame: Birthplace of tow-in surfing, now a premier paddle-in big wave break. Home of the Red Bull Jaws contest.
- Danger Level: Extreme – huge waves, sharp reef, violent hold-downs, and strong offshore winds challenge even the best.
The Origin Story: Jaws' Explosive Rise to Fame
For years, Jaws was a local secret, virtually unrideable by traditional paddle-in methods due to its speed and size. That all changed in the early 1990s when legends like Laird Hamilton, Darrick Doerner, and Buzzy Kerbox pioneered tow-in surfing right here. Using jet skis to whip into monstrous waves at speed, they unlocked Jaws’ potential and reshaped big-wave surfing forever.
As gear and technique progressed, surfers began to tackle Jaws with paddle power, marking a new era of elite surfing. Today, icons like Ian Walsh, Billy Kemper, and Kai Lenny dominate this arena, drawing fans and photographers alike to Peʻahi’s cliffs to witness the aquatic spectacle. Jaws became not just a break, but a proving ground for the world's most fearless athletes.
Why Jaws Wows & Inspires
Jaws is pure, unfiltered awe. Imagine a vertical mountain of water barreling toward shore at 30 mph — then add a surfer dropping into its face, vanishing into a cavernous tube, and sometimes flying into the air. It's a test of strength, agility, and willpower like no other.
For surfers, it’s the ultimate challenge — a wave so powerful and perfect it becomes a blank canvas for creativity at scale. Jaws represents the best of surfing: nature’s fury met with human determination. It inspires because it demands more than just skill — it demands fearlessness. It’s a place where surfing transcends sport and becomes legend.
