Back on the Water Again
Ahhh. Feels so good to get back on the water after a week of light or no winds. Today was supposed to be a transition day according to the weather geeks, but what do they know. By late morning, trade winds had returned to Maui and by midday they were actually much stronger than I would have expected. The iWindsurf Kanaha graph is reading waaaaay to low lately for what the actual conditions are at Kanaha. Readings were in the low 20s in the afternoon, but I was very powered on 4.5 until late in the afternoon when the wind dropped. I'd guess it was blowing 26 - 27ish.
The crowds that we had at Kanaha most of the summer seem to have all returned home, the local kids are back in school, the races are over so the resident racers are only showing up on the weekends, the visiting racers have returned home, so Kanaha almost feels quiet. The visitors we do have are predominantly European right now and as you walk around the beach you'll hear Italian, French, German and other unidentifiable languages.
It's pretty interesting to have the Europeans visit. I may incur the wrath of my fellow countrymen, but it seems that on average, European visiting windsurfers seem to be more advanced than those visiting from USA. The Euros seem to really go for it and push the limits with freestyle and advanced tricks than what we see going on in the summer. Fun to watch and inspiring to go out and learn something new. And it's great to see a diversity of cultures and languages come together through windsurfing.
Winds are forecast to stick around through the week and if today was a "transition day" we should see some pretty strong winds cranking this week - perhaps we're on the cusp of another nuclear showdown. So, the wind is back, but the waves are still on holiday, playing around in the southern hemisphere. It can't be long though until we get our first north swell of the season. My prediction is we're going to get some epic swell next week - small, but clean and sweet. How do I know this? Simple, it takes the sacrifice of a resident Maui windsurfer leaving the island for a trip to the mainland to coax the waves back, and I know a couple of guys who are leaving soon for the mainland visits. Thanks guys, your sacrifice is much appreciated! ;-)
The crowds that we had at Kanaha most of the summer seem to have all returned home, the local kids are back in school, the races are over so the resident racers are only showing up on the weekends, the visiting racers have returned home, so Kanaha almost feels quiet. The visitors we do have are predominantly European right now and as you walk around the beach you'll hear Italian, French, German and other unidentifiable languages.
It's pretty interesting to have the Europeans visit. I may incur the wrath of my fellow countrymen, but it seems that on average, European visiting windsurfers seem to be more advanced than those visiting from USA. The Euros seem to really go for it and push the limits with freestyle and advanced tricks than what we see going on in the summer. Fun to watch and inspiring to go out and learn something new. And it's great to see a diversity of cultures and languages come together through windsurfing.
Winds are forecast to stick around through the week and if today was a "transition day" we should see some pretty strong winds cranking this week - perhaps we're on the cusp of another nuclear showdown. So, the wind is back, but the waves are still on holiday, playing around in the southern hemisphere. It can't be long though until we get our first north swell of the season. My prediction is we're going to get some epic swell next week - small, but clean and sweet. How do I know this? Simple, it takes the sacrifice of a resident Maui windsurfer leaving the island for a trip to the mainland to coax the waves back, and I know a couple of guys who are leaving soon for the mainland visits. Thanks guys, your sacrifice is much appreciated! ;-)
posted by Jeff at
7:16 PM
3 Comments:
Hey Makani, where're you from?
Have you seen that guy with the white and black Gun sail? His name is Claudio and he's one of the best italian freestyler. His dedication to learn new moves is quite impressive. Must be the way to learn them, I guess.
Last comment: go surfing when there's no wind! You'll be amazed by how much your wavesailing ability will improve... and you'll have a lot of fun in the meantime.
Cheers.
By
cammar, at 10:49 PM
Didn't I tell you that I was packing an extra large suitcase and taking the wind with me when I leave? Sure, you might have a nice sweeet swell, but unless you're surfing, you won't enjoy it too much. I promise to return with the trade winds just in time for actual waves.
By
Anonymous, at 3:10 PM
Cammar, didn't you know? I'm exhiled Tahitian royalty. That's why I have to maintain my secret identity. ; - ) Actually, you may not know it but you do know me from the Kanaha, at least by site.
I think I've seen your friend Claudio throwing his freestyle game around. There's some seriously talented sailors visiting here lately and throwing some very impressive moves around.
If I had more time, I would surf more. Gotta work to make a living still, unfortunately.
Speedy, just what the hell are you going to do with all that wind out on the east coast? You taking your dry suit with you too?
Thanks for commenting guys. Aloha.
By
Jeff, at 8:35 PM
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