Maui 4/26 to 5/3 - Windiest Ever
Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 6:12 pmI've been lucky enough to be able to travel to the Island of Maui for a week of sailing about 7 times now, usually in the spring or fall.
I've had better luck in the spring for sure and this time was no exception.
A day or two before the trip I looked at the "WindGuru" web site and found that a long period of no wind was about to end with the re-appearance of a week-long trade wind pattern. I was just ecstatic!
'when I showed up at Hawaiian Island Surf shop (unannounced) they greeted me there saying "Hi Al, Thanks for bringing the wind with you!"
I took out a 6.4 meter sail and a big (140L) board since the first day was still a little light. However, the surf was not. I stayed inside the reef away from the breakers most of my session only venturing out twice. Each time I came back from the outside, I had to be very cognizant of where I was in relation to what have to be the all-time biggest waves that I've ever ridden. They were swells coming out of the NW, averaging about 10 feet when the sets came in, which was about every thee minutes apart.
I had a little accident involving a beach chair later that day and broke my finger.
Otherwise, It blew really hard on sunday (4/27), but with much smaller waves. If I could've sailed, I would've been on a 4.2.
It blew harder still on monday (4/28), [3.0 to 3.5 for most folks] Yet I was taking narcotics and shopping...
Tuesday (4/29) it was back to 4.2 weather. And I was still doing all the stuff that non-sailers do on Maui, which quickly loses its allure.
Wednesday (4/30) I decided to 'Cowboy-Up' and tape my finger so it would not get wet.
I was on a 4.7m2 sail and 100L board and way overpowered at times.
Those who know me can appreciate how windy this must have been...
Thursday (5/1) - Ditto
Friday (5/2)- Ditto
Saturday (5/3)- Finally! A day when it wasn't so windy and I could go for a nice liesurely sail on a 5.2 m2 and a 115L board!
Sunday (5/4) Back home skiing some DEEP slush at The Burp!
Everbody! Make sure your lounge chairs, beachchairs, etc are in good condition and don't use them if they show signs of abnormal wear. That thing almost took the tip of my little finger off!
I've had better luck in the spring for sure and this time was no exception.
A day or two before the trip I looked at the "WindGuru" web site and found that a long period of no wind was about to end with the re-appearance of a week-long trade wind pattern. I was just ecstatic!
'when I showed up at Hawaiian Island Surf shop (unannounced) they greeted me there saying "Hi Al, Thanks for bringing the wind with you!"
I took out a 6.4 meter sail and a big (140L) board since the first day was still a little light. However, the surf was not. I stayed inside the reef away from the breakers most of my session only venturing out twice. Each time I came back from the outside, I had to be very cognizant of where I was in relation to what have to be the all-time biggest waves that I've ever ridden. They were swells coming out of the NW, averaging about 10 feet when the sets came in, which was about every thee minutes apart.
I had a little accident involving a beach chair later that day and broke my finger.
Otherwise, It blew really hard on sunday (4/27), but with much smaller waves. If I could've sailed, I would've been on a 4.2.
It blew harder still on monday (4/28), [3.0 to 3.5 for most folks] Yet I was taking narcotics and shopping...
Tuesday (4/29) it was back to 4.2 weather. And I was still doing all the stuff that non-sailers do on Maui, which quickly loses its allure.
Wednesday (4/30) I decided to 'Cowboy-Up' and tape my finger so it would not get wet.
I was on a 4.7m2 sail and 100L board and way overpowered at times.
Those who know me can appreciate how windy this must have been...
Thursday (5/1) - Ditto
Friday (5/2)- Ditto
Saturday (5/3)- Finally! A day when it wasn't so windy and I could go for a nice liesurely sail on a 5.2 m2 and a 115L board!
Sunday (5/4) Back home skiing some DEEP slush at The Burp!
Everbody! Make sure your lounge chairs, beachchairs, etc are in good condition and don't use them if they show signs of abnormal wear. That thing almost took the tip of my little finger off!