They're Back
I knew they were out there, lurking, unseen, gathering strength. I couldn't see them or hear them, but out on the water, I could sense them. I knew they would come - a force of incredible magnitude. I could sense the potential energy, gathering, growing. "Some time, very soon," I thought, "they'll begin their long journey from the north, traveling thousands of miles, destined for Maui's northern coastline.
Today, they arrived. They were small, by most Maui standards, but after sailing so long without them around, it was a treat to have the waves back. I had a short amount of time midday to catch a session. The wind looked light initially, but showed signs of building. I took out my 5.0 and CultWave and headed to Lowers where the crowds were still light and the waves were head-high. Perfectly powered on the 5.0, it felt soooooo good to ride some down-the-line surf. Lots of shoulder- to head-high sets. Lots of rides. Lots of massive airtime.
After awhile the crowds picked up at Lowers so I headed to Uppers. Amazingly, hardly anyone was there. No one was sailing inside the reef at Uppers. No one! Only a few people were sailing the break directly out from Oli Olie Kai. Personally, I thought the wave at Lowers was much better today - about the same size, but much cleaner and better-formed, but still good fun at Uppers too.
Looks like the wind picked up after I left, probably 4.2 to 4.5 range for guys. I heard Ho'okipa was mast and half today. That's probably why Uppers was so deserted.
This will probably be a short-lived swell. Supposed to die down by late tomorrow. Wind looks like it will hang around for awhile still. Been windy every day so far this month and it looks like it will stay that way through the next week.
Today, they arrived. They were small, by most Maui standards, but after sailing so long without them around, it was a treat to have the waves back. I had a short amount of time midday to catch a session. The wind looked light initially, but showed signs of building. I took out my 5.0 and CultWave and headed to Lowers where the crowds were still light and the waves were head-high. Perfectly powered on the 5.0, it felt soooooo good to ride some down-the-line surf. Lots of shoulder- to head-high sets. Lots of rides. Lots of massive airtime.
After awhile the crowds picked up at Lowers so I headed to Uppers. Amazingly, hardly anyone was there. No one was sailing inside the reef at Uppers. No one! Only a few people were sailing the break directly out from Oli Olie Kai. Personally, I thought the wave at Lowers was much better today - about the same size, but much cleaner and better-formed, but still good fun at Uppers too.
Looks like the wind picked up after I left, probably 4.2 to 4.5 range for guys. I heard Ho'okipa was mast and half today. That's probably why Uppers was so deserted.
This will probably be a short-lived swell. Supposed to die down by late tomorrow. Wind looks like it will hang around for awhile still. Been windy every day so far this month and it looks like it will stay that way through the next week.
3 Comments:
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By Anonymous, at 6:01 PM
The folks who made it out for the after work session on Tuesday got the best conditions of the day. I sailed from 2-3:30, then met the wife at 4:30 for a second session on the water. The wind settled down a bit, making for some smooth almost glassy waves at uppers, and the size of the waves had increased as well. I got worked pretty well when I mistimed a wave and it swallowed me up, but luckily didn't break anything.
Matt was ripping it up at lowers until dark, showing just why he's a world champion. Seeing some of the moves these guys are pulling off in the waves up close is an education in itself.
By Anonymous, at 11:33 AM
Thanks for the report speedy. As we were leaving the park, it looked like it was getting bigger at Uppers. Sounds like my Uppers session may have been during some smaller sets. Maybe it's time for another Matt clinic. I hear he and Kevin are off to Baja for a few days for a big swell due there.
By Jeff, at 9:32 PM
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