Jaws (beach)
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Jaws is the name given a beach near the town of Peahi on the island of Maui in the US state of Hawaii. It is on the northern side, located between mile markers 13 and 14 on Hana highway. It sits at the base of rolling sugar cane field hills.
The beach is called "Jaws" due to the size and ferocity of the waves. The waves at Jaws have been described as being in excess of thirty feet, and moving as fast as twenty-five miles per hour.
Surf at Jaws only reaches these levels during the winter months (primarily between December and February). Also, special conditions concerning the wind and the flow of swells elsewhere in the ocean must all come together in order for the surf to reach such huge levels. In addition to all the very specific weather and oceanic conditions, what makes the surf so large at Jaws are its specific geographic (that is, under the water, or the surf break) conditions.
Hamilton is quoted in Laird: White Knuckle Extreme saying that he and others are looking over topographical maps, trying to find other beaches throughout the world with the same characteristics. One beach found in this manner is Teahupoo, Tahiti.
[edit] Road Blockage
As of 2006, the road to Jaws had been intentionally blocked by placing derelict vehicles across the road, and setting them on fire. In addition to the vehicles, there are tank trap-style cuts into the roads, preventing all but small, ATV-style vehicles from approaching from the highway.
The reason for the blockage is related to the December 15, 2005 crowding of the beach. Surfers who were not competent, tourists, and many others showed up to the beach to observe the massive surf. People were injured, and Laird Hamilton (something of a local hero) as well as Dave Kalama complained that the congestion on the waves made it difficult to surf.
The only way to approach Jaws is from another beach on the coast, by boat or jet ski (which is required of course for big wave surfing anyways).
