surf-matic

Maui wowie, still no waves on the north shore– but the south side was on fire. The waves were massive at La Perouse and the boys really ripped it up. Polakow seemed to steal the show– as is his MO. I decided not to make the trek across the island for the waves. Windsurfing La Perouse means a tricky launch and fighting with surfers for waves. I don’t care about the launch, but I don’t want to have to fight. For me, fighting on the water distracts too much from actually riding the waves. And given the sick trips I’ve got planned for the this winter, I think I’ll have an uncountable number of perfect waves all to myself– so I don’t regret missing this swell at all.

A perfect wave breaks on the south shore of Maui at La Perouse

The north shore also had some fun sailing. On Friday I got to the beach around 2pm and sailed till sunset at 7– it was so much fun. I’ve found a sweet rhythm with my backloops where I can really tweak by head back at the top and still land perfectly. The waves were small, but the wind was consistent enough for me to be fully powered on my new Panther Ltd 4.7. I must say, the setup I have right now– this 4.7 and my quatro fish quad– is magic. I can do whatever I want.

going into a back loop

turning it 'round

spotting the landing

I’m finally pulling shakes! I feel like it’s been years of trying them, but now I can whip them around at will (though I still get slammed sometimes!). Summer sailing on Maui is perfect for learning a freestyle move or two because there are no waves to distract.

And of course, there were little waves big enough to bust the fins loose. Love it!

Hitting the lip!

Throwing the fins loose

Letting the tail slide

Aside from all this windsurfing, Maui also had it’s own version of a fashion show: The Couture Hawaii Runway Show. I’m trying to start my own design label (think surf inspired casual chic), so the fashion show seemed like a good idea. A friend of mine’s wife turned me onto the show and I went with her. I’m not very keen on aloha prints, but the show was interesting and fun nonetheless. And I ran into Polakow in the back hanging out at the bar, which was a nice surprise. All in all, it was a fun evening (I must admit though that I was too hungry to stay for the entire 2 hour show and skipped out for tasty flatbread pizza in Paia). : )

At the couture hawaii show with a friend-- in the back of course.

on the runway at the Couture Hawaii Fashion Show

That’s Maui for this week! Hopefully the sailing continues. Until then! I’m signing off… but not without another picture (thanks again to the wonderful Jimmie Hepp).

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