channel
An area of deep water adjacent to a surf break, usually running perpendicular to the beach. Channels are integral to many of the world's breaks, as they help create the underlying high-to-low bathymetric profile that allows waves to break with consistent and predictable form. Channels also provide a safe, quick route into the surf zone, as well as a stand-by area. Surf photographers often shoot fr...
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Photographer Don James in the channel at Sunset Beach, 1966. Photo: LeRoy GrannisSubscribe to view
Waimea Bay; channel on the let. Photo: Warren BolsterSubscribe to view
Boat in the channel at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Photo: Sean DaveySubscribe to view
Shawn Briley glides into the channel at Pipeline, 1995. Photo: Rick DoyleSubscribe to view
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/efed9ecac089aae2dd57f5d2d8e5a8d24d2c64f1-900x506.jpg?w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Photographer Don James in the channel at Sunset Beach, 1966. Photo: LeRoy Grannis
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/e90009afcb4b84c634aedd42d152cb5b8ee79ed3-900x599.jpg?rect=0,46,900,506&w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Waimea Bay; channel on the let. Photo: Warren Bolster
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/a470db4d2303c9b73ec3b1d91f2be6cc807c21a9-900x506.jpg?w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Boat in the channel at Teahupoo, Tahiti. Photo: Sean Davey
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/f1hjpcr4/production/f041ce7a7e075acf66714a37e389bbff92b32659-900x506.jpg?w=640&h=360&q=65&auto=format)
Shawn Briley glides into the channel at Pipeline, 1995. Photo: Rick Doyle