Ridiculous! Puffy! Evil! Ok.
The theme in the headline is, adjectives used by windsurfers today to describe the wind (two of them are mine- guess which two). The wind came up pretty strong in the afternoon when I got to the beach though it was pretty easterly (offshore). Very light inside and tough to even beach start to slog out to the wind line. After slogging thigh-deep for 20 yards I ended splashing in and having to swim my 4.5 and JP 77 out another 100 yards to the windline to catch a puff. Once outside the reef, I was very powered on the 4.5, but it seemed punchy/gusty and way east to me. Water was pretty choppy. Wasn't having fun, so I said screw it and came in.
My sentiments were mirrored by all but a few people. Captain Greg thought it was ridiculous. John visiting from Seattle said "it sucks." Fellow Pukalanian Mike, also thought it sucked. Antonio from the Bay Area said, "it's a great day to do some other sport."
Not all reviews were negative however. Maui transplant, JK, seemed to have fun as did my windsurfing wahine Karen, as well as visiting Maui Windsurfing Bloggian Michael. (Michael, feel free to send in your comments on the sailing today, as well as yesterday's sailing since I didn't even make it down to the beach yesterday - might be cool for other windurf bloggians to get someone else's perspective in addition to mine.)
Looks like the weather may be transitioning to a non-trade wind pattern for a bit. Sorry Scorpionfish, doesn't look like you'll be getting wind for the first few days you're here next week. Plenty of time to take care of those other errands.
My sentiments were mirrored by all but a few people. Captain Greg thought it was ridiculous. John visiting from Seattle said "it sucks." Fellow Pukalanian Mike, also thought it sucked. Antonio from the Bay Area said, "it's a great day to do some other sport."
Not all reviews were negative however. Maui transplant, JK, seemed to have fun as did my windsurfing wahine Karen, as well as visiting Maui Windsurfing Bloggian Michael. (Michael, feel free to send in your comments on the sailing today, as well as yesterday's sailing since I didn't even make it down to the beach yesterday - might be cool for other windurf bloggians to get someone else's perspective in addition to mine.)
Looks like the weather may be transitioning to a non-trade wind pattern for a bit. Sorry Scorpionfish, doesn't look like you'll be getting wind for the first few days you're here next week. Plenty of time to take care of those other errands.
posted by Jeff at
9:25 PM
2 Comments:
Thanks for the invite Jeff. Here's my perspective. Yesterday (Tuesday) lured those intrepid locals for that famous "slog and surf" that can only be appreciated by true wave afficiandos. I don't mind facing head high or 1.5x or even 2x head high waves if I have power to punch through or over (or out of the way) but slogging? Fuhgetaboutit. I observed safely from shore where "punching out" for me (and my wife Susan) meant going to the south shore for a delightful afternoon of surfing a rare south swell (for this time of year).
As for today, the early birds got the waves. Before the winds shifted too east and offshore, lowers offered a rare treat of few people and consistent head high waves. I rode my arms to jelly on non-intimidating waves in just an hour, then retreated to the beach for a rest. Mistake. By the time we relaunched, Dr. Evil Punchy had shifted Mother Friendly down southward creating a brutal wind shadow on shore and howling winds further out. Something about that angle seemed to make the chop particularly annoying. Riding a few small mountains at uppers gave some respite but mostly chaos reigned. Jeff, as usual, called the scene quite accurately.
By
Anonymous, at 10:41 PM
Hey Michael. Excellent reporting!!! I like the Dr. Evil Punchy bit! You're hired as a Maui Windsurfing Blog field reporter. The pay sucks, but look at the benefits!
Wish I had been available earlier in the morning to get that early session like you did. I think hitting Lowers at 11:00 is the thing to do when there's wind and waves there. Usually doesn't seem to get too crowded until after noon there.
By
Jeff, at 11:06 AM
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