Located along Hoone road in Poipu Beach on the South Shore of Kauai, Brennecke's Beach unfortunately has seen better days. In 1982 Hurricane Eva laid waster to this once sandy and pristine beach. In 1992, Hurricane Iniki pounded the coastline again sucking more sand out to sea leaving Brennecke's Beach rocky and barren. Despite the storm damage, Brennecke's still performs well on a nice South swell. Known by some as the birthplace of bodyboarding, Brennecke's is just that, a Bodyboarders paradise.
Tucked in a small cove near Poipu Beach Park, Brennecke's is now a small sandy inlet guarded by lava steps on both sides. Really a small stretch of rideable wave area, Brennecke's still seems to offer a very fun shore pound wave. Breaking on mostly sand, summer swells will find their way into the small cove and mostly close out barrels will crash on the sand. Despite very few makeable waves, Brennecke's provides a very fun, hollow tube and can deposit you and your board right up on the beach. Not as shallow as Sandy's, it is still a sand sucking wave that will barrel you everytime.
Normally very crowded with younger riders, it is still a worthwhile stop if you sponge. Just imagine how good this break must have been before the Hurricanes! I have seen this spot fun at waist to chest high and carnivorous at double overhead. If you like thick sandy tubes, this break is worth exploring.
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Wave Type: Beach Break
Swell Direction: South
Bottom Terrain: Mostly Sand
Experience: Beginner to average ability
Photo: Bodyboarder - John Bader
Photo by Matt Lareau
