totally 80's and a bit of drama...

klaus simmer's board '88

finally, a no work (unless you include yard work which is never ending), no wind, no laundry, no plans (unless you include sunset pupus @ capische tonite) day. I'm more go with the flow kind of girl which attracts me to windsurfing. every session, every reach, every transition is different and requires flexible thought. a couple of friends are trying to get me to plan more, follow a more structured way of life. I guess like any sport it takes practice but I'm not sure it's for me though I can see the benefits it offers. maybe I'm too structured in my go with the flow way of being. hmmm, maybe I'm not that go with the flow after all.

usually, another cafe o'lei helps clear my head of confusion.

mark angulo 0'10 - jhepp pic

working 1/2 days on maui is the best because it gives me time to sleep, work and have fun. monday was off shore, gusty, wavy, challenging so I figured I'd accept the invite from us10 and shawna to sail with their aloha clinic students. maybe, just maybe they would rescue me if I got blown out to sea? the water was crazy messy then a smooth logo high set would roll through reminding me why I am learning to wave sail. the students were champs as the conditions were tricky - if there was enough wind to get thru the channel great but if not it was a stressful slog-a-thon. 

us10 suggested 4.7 which was the perfect match for the sweet 74 dc. I knew I was in for a workout which is what I needed since my love handles are a bit lovelier due to more nights out on the town (burp). a few of us launched together then like most windsurfing sessions separated to find our own survival locations. pascal had the upper break all to himself and was making it look easy, easy like he always does. I considered sailing up to pay respect but to disrupt his zen as he caught wave after wave seemed wrong. I took on the channel wave which I have respect for after the beating it put on me last winter. it's hard to read unless it's big so I waited for the scary huge sets and let the 74dc do what it does best. the 4.7 missionx was great - the simmers get better with time. hey, just like me. 

at one point I was the only one out except the 5 kiters waaaay out at spartans, the wind and the sun were getting lower so I slogged in and chatted with the aloha clinic students discovering I know a couple from vela baja. right before sundown the wind picked up so we hit the water and it was even better than before. I rarely sail sandy sprecks in the winter but monday it was worth the extra sand in the van. I heard lowers was fantastic though crowded.

if you're here for gossip there's mostly been drama. just about every day I hear of yelling, frustration, arguments, almost accidents at ho'okipa. word has it everyone wants a picture so the aggro level has increased. I got the explanation from both constantin (us10's intern) and shawna over dinner. seems shawna had priority and was upwind out of this pic frame, constantin was trying to get out of her way, usa0 was heading out and constantin came way too close which rightfully deserved a slapdown. 

giampaolo wrote about priority to help clear up confusion so maybe people will start being on the same wave length.

then there's the kiter/windsurf issues that jeff explains.

yes, shit happens but what's up lately? maybe it's just planetary alignment and things will soon calm down.

I don't have the skill nor the aggro level for ho'okipa so I mostly sail uppers which is not the perfect wave but usually plenty of space though does have occasional drama. when it's really big and I'm on a wave often a guy (never been jibed on by a girl) jibes upwind then charges down the line but I will not pull off. according to gp seems I have priority but I am more concerned about being crushed by the wave behind. female riders complain to me about the opposite sex; not just romantically but manners on the water. the main complaint is guys drop-in or sail too close. if you want my digits ask for them on the beach because acting like a macho man won't get you very far.

the happysurfer has another great video to share. good thing is he had time to finish editing bad thing is he was off the water due to a kiter taking him out at lowers. glad no one was injured. at some point he'll leave maui so enjoy his work while he's here.

the wind is might return just as my new chinook carbon boom arrives (dan, thanks for the love) so it's back to paddling which I admit to neglecting. the lahaina cam looks glassy, just my size, my phone is beeping which means it's time to go with the flow and head on out the door. maybe grandma's will be the call.