High-Performance Surfing with 5'11" Seaside Helium Board
Difficulty
challenging
Duration
2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Good cardiovascular condition and core strength recommended for agility and endurance
Overview
Ride like Rob Machado with the 5'11" Seaside Helium, a lightweight quad-fin surfboard designed for sharp turns and responsive beach breaks in Kailua, Hawai'i. Perfect for surfers craving precision and speed.
5'11" Seaside Helium
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About This Adventure
Experience the thrill of surfing with Rob Machado's Seaside board, designed for high performance and precision. This unique quad setup features refined curves and a lightweight Helium construction, perfect for beach breaks. Enjoy tighter turns and responsive rides, all while embracing the essence of Machado's home surf spot.
Rob Machado on the Seaside
Times
Everyday – 10am-6pm
About
Rob Machado on the Seaside, "just evolving the Go Fish to something new, really. The Go Fish goes fast and feels skatey and loose and I love it, and riding it for a couple years made me want to feel more high performance - more carves, tighter turns. So the Seaside is about refining… less area in the tail, narrowing the tips of the swallow, creating more curve and narrowing the nose. All elements for ripping while the Go Fish stays cruisey and fun."
The Seaside is quad only, why? "I decided that if i was going to make a quad I would make a quad that’s strictly a quad ... Design the concaves and bottom contours around that. I actually redesigned my entire concave setup that I’ve been using on the Moonbeam and Go Fish, and did it with the quad setup in mind so that it all works together."
Why name this shape after your home break, Seaside? "Naming surfboards might be the hardest thing to do on the planet [laughing]. It’s just the perfect little stick when I surf my home spot, Seaside."
Why is the Seaside built in Helium? "The first one I made for Tahiti was LFT and I was riding it in 6 foot tubes. But most everyone surfs a shape like the Seaside at beach breaks and little point breaks, so we made it in Helium because it’s really light, very responsive, really flexy with a softer feel and very durable. It’s the best option for a shape like the Seaside in smaller, weaker waves, I think."
Adventure Tips
Check Local Surf Conditions
Always review Kailua’s beach break forecasts to match board performance with wave size and shape.
Wear Reef-Appropriate Footwear
Some spots have shallow reefs; shore shoes help prevent cuts during entry and exit.
Wax Your Board Properly
Use tropical wax for optimal grip in warm Hawaiian waters.
Mind the Crowds
Kailua breaks attract many surfers—practice etiquette to ensure a safe and positive experience.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Green sea turtles
- Hawaiian monk seals
History
Kailua has been a surf spot since the 1960s, heavily influenced by technologies and designs from local champions like Rob Machado.
Conservation
Local groups work to protect coral reefs and marine habitats, encouraging surfers to minimize environmental impact by using reef-safe wax and respecting ocean life.
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Adventure Hotspots in Honolulu
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
5'11" Seaside Helium Surfboard
Lightweight design allows sharp turns and quick responsiveness on beach breaks.
summer specific
Tropical Surf Wax
Enhances traction on the board suited for warm water temperatures.
summer specific
Reef Booties
Protect feet from sharp reef and rocky shorelines common in Kailua.
summer specific
Leash
Keeps the board tethered to you for safety in waves and currents.