The Pipeline to Waimea Swim hosted by North Shore Soap Factory is the 4^th and final race of the Surf n Sea North Shore Swim Series. This event features a 2.3 mile course starting at Ehukai Beach Park and follows the coast west to Waimea Bay.
The North Shore Swim Series is a 4-race festival of progressively longer events giving swimmers the opportunity to swim the “7 mile miracle” of Oahu’s famous North Shore.
Event details and schedule
Check in for the Pipeline to Waimea Swim is at Waimea Bay and begins at 7:00am. Parking is available for a small donation at St. Peter & Paul Church on the Sunset Beach Side of Waimea Bay. Waimea Park has very limited parking for a fee. We will shuttle swimmers to the start at Ehukai Beach Park. There is no transfer of entries to another person with out permission of race committee officials.
COURSE: The North Shore Challenge will have a “mass” start in the water at 'Ehukai Beach Park' (Pipeline). Men & Women start together behind two 40” buoys. There will be multiple lifeguards along the course to help you navigate to Waimea if needed. Finish is directly in front of the lifeguard tower at Waimea Bay. Two 40" buoys will mark the finish line, swim between these & run up the beach for your finish time.
EQUIPMENT: Swim goggles, mask type goggles, dive masks and snorkels are allowed. No fins, hand paddles or full-face snorkel masks. Swim buoy floatation devices are OK, but they should be tethered close to your body so they do not interfere with fellow swimmers.
SWIMSUITS: Men: ‘Speedo’ style briefs or jammers (waist to knee). Women: One or two-piece shoulder to knee swimsuits (must not cover the shoulder). M & W: rash guards, leggings, full body lycra suits for sun protection are OK if they do not provide floatation. No tri-suits, speedsuits, neoprene suits, or materials that add buoyancy are allowed.
AWARDS & DIVISIONS: Top 3 finishers in the following divisions (Male & Female): Elite, 10 & under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-19, standard 5 year age groups thereafter (10-24, 25-29, etc.). Overall Series Award for participants who swim in all 5 swims.
SAFETY: Caps are mandatory. Swim caps are provided to registered swimmers at their first NSSS swim of the summer. NOTE: Swimmers only receive one cap during the 4 races of the series. You may use you own swim cap; bright caps are highly encouraged; bright colors are highly encouraged. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE: PLEASE DO YOUR PART!
IMPORTANT: Swimmers should make continuous progress toward the finish. If they fail to make continuous progress and need the assistance of Water Patrol, they must turn in their timing chip at the finish line and will be disqualified.
INFORMATION: (808) 741-6075 & www.northshoreswimseries.com Check us out on Facebook & Instagram for up to date information!
Getting to Waimea Bay is easy from anywhere on Oahu:
-Take H1 Freeway, Westbound
-Stay on the HI Freeway for approximately six miles
-Look for signs for the H2 Freeway, Northbound (North Shore/Wahiawa) Merge right onto the H2 Freeway
-Continue on the H2 Freeway North to Wahiawa. Exit at Wahiawa (Exit 8) on to 80 (Kamehameha Hwy) through Wahiawa
-Continue Northbound, 80 connects with 99
-Stay on 99 to Haleiwa
-The road now bypasses Haleiwa and becomes route 83
-Waimea Bay is approximately 3.8 miles east of Haleiwa
Please try to car pool to the North Shore Swim Series!
The ʻEat Ponoʻ North Shore 5k/10K Swim is Hawaii's first and only endurance swim race from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay.
Only one week after the North Shore Challenge 2.3-mile Swim, come trained and ready to participate in the final open water swim event of the summer along the fabled North Shore of Oʻahu.
The 10K swim will start at Waimea Bay at 7am with swimmers going North to the turnaround at Sunset Beach!
The 5K swim will start at Sunset Beach at 8:30am with swimmers following the coastline to Waimea Bay.
Note: this event is made possible, in part, by the support of the "Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation" please visit their website at: http://www.dukefoundation.org/ and support this awesome organization.
Event details and schedule
Please visit www.northshore5kswim.com or www.northshoreswimseries.com/races for all the race details.
**SIGN UP BY SEPTEMBER 25TH TO GUARANTEE A RACE T-SHIRT
The Gunstock Ranch Trail Run is back on again this year! Join us this October 17, 2026 for an incredible trail run through a working horse and cattle ranch on Oahuʻs north shore! Gunstock Ranch sits on 900 acres based against the Koʻolau mountains and offers breath-taking views of windward Oahu as well as the Hawaii Legacy Forest, a protected area filled with thriving native Hawaiian trees. The 5K and 10K routes are very challenging, unique, and offer a beautiful running experience. We are excited to welcome you to Gunstock Ranch for a special opportunity to run on our trails!
Student and military discounts--enter STUDENT2026 or MILITARY2026 to receive 10$ off!
Event details and schedule
Race will begin at 7 am with the 5K racers, followed by the 10K runners at 7:10 am. Both will follow the same course for about a mile where the trail will split and the 10K runners will continue on a longer course up through the ranch. Both races culminate with a run past "the lookout" at the ranch with sweeping views of windward Oahu and then itʻs downhill to the finish line.
Be sure to arrive 45-60 minutes early to get parked, checked-in, and receive your timing chip. This is a working ranch with challenging trails--bring the most rugged shoes you can find!