Surfatoll | Maldives surf trip

Ninjas

Although the name would seem to suggest that one need ninja-like skills to survive the potential pounding that this break might provide, Ninjas actually provides smaller waves that seem more characteristic of its less common name Piddlies (the name Ninjas is the result of the breaks traditional popularity with Japanese surfers).

North Male Atoll’s premiere location for longboarders and beginners, Ninjas is a righthander that breaks slower and with less shape than any of the surrounding waves. It even closes out when it gets over shoulder high, so anything 4 feet and under is perfect. A little less consistent and a lot shiftier than some of the other breaks, it is definitely a wave for those who like to cruise and improvise—its imperfections actually tend to be its main attraction. Because the takeoffs change and increase depending on the swell and tide, it is not uncommon to see one wave with several different takeoffs and different surfers each getting their own speedy drop-in.

Of course, the imperfections and unpredictability can also be a bit dangerous, especially if the waves are overhead and start closing out—which might be the only time the name Ninjas actually suits the break itself. It is definitely best with a west to northwest wind, and a moderate south swell, as too much swell really turns it into a mess. This does mean, however, that while it benefits from March to October’s southern swells, it is one of the few waves that does not always benefit from the June, July, and August increase in size.