North Shore Challenge 2026
The Pipeline to Waimea Swim hosted by North Shore Soap Factory is the 4th 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!
