Blog - Kanaha Kai Maui

Jip's new video!

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:01:00 +0000

Check out Jip's new video, he shot it while his lovely girl friend Inga was in town. Enjoy...

Theo's Cove

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:01:00 +0000

Earlier this week Jip, Turbo and I (Juan) headed down to Theo's house which is in the middle of the Haiku/Huelo forest. Theo started working with us when he moved to Maui about a year ago. Its been pretty cool to see him quickly turn into such a sick windsurfer. He used to be a sponsored surfer in high school, but stopped competing when his family moved to Florida. His solid surfing background has helped him become a ripping wave sailor.

He's been raving about this beautiful little beach he found near his house where he's been going spear fishing with his roommate Tony. His house is a good 5 minutes off Hana Highway on a windy one lane dusty road, it probably makes for some exciting driving when it rains. At the end there's a steep eroded dirt driveway. If I didn't know any better I'd say his house was designed by a collaboration between Tarzan and Robinson Crusoe. Its kind of a luxury tree house powered by a huge solar panel, but they don't use anything electric in there. He still uses candle light and cooks all his meals on a propane grill. Pretty rad, man.

We all geared up and started trekking down a trail along a river into a gulch which ended at this perfect bay. Completely unspoiled, this place felt righteous, irie, peaceful, just perfect. If there was ever a Garden of Eden, this was it.

We jumped off the lava shelf and into water. There were steep valleys, I estimated them to be at least 100 ft deep. Theo said they were only 40 ft, made me feel like a wuss when I tried to touch the bottom and didn't come halfway there. We've seen allot of big fish down there. Theo's seen his first ever Ulua, I've seen a few big Uhus. I tried to shoot a couple but missed every time, lucky buggahs. Getting out of the water was much harder than jumping in, Theo told us that we had to wait for a wave to sweep us onto the lava shelf which was a good 6 feet (3 feet on Theo's measuring scale) above our floating heads. I thought he was kidding until he gets picked up by a wave that gently sits him on the shelf completely unscathed. I was up next, first wave slams me up against the wall. I should've waited for a bigger one, but just tried to pull myself up onto the slab. It was much harder than I thought it would be, but I eventually made it up. Turbo was much smarter and came right up on a good wave, Jip was next and had a hard time getting up. Like me he tried to pull himself up, but long dive fins, wet clothes and surging waves made this pretty difficult. He eventually got out with only a couple scratches on his stomach.

It was a beautiful day, and it was amazing to see how there are still places that haven't been ruined by over development. It was cool to see that there are still plenty of adventures to be had and places to be "discovered" even in densely populated countries like the US. I hope no one takes advantage anymore of what has been given to us. Gotta keep da Country country.

The Bob Chronicles

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:56:00 +0000

This is the first of Bob's chronicles. He also sent us these pictures. Enjoy...

When I passed Ho’okipa the waves were huge. The wind was light but I felt encouraged that it would be stronger down at Spreckelsville. The weeks of rain had left my driveway in Haiku a muddy mess and I was filled with "cabin fever". I thought, "Finally an opportunity to get in some wave sailing and work off all of that eating."

This time of year at the beach is my favorite. At Sprecks, Drew and the others were tired, having already been out for hours. I rigged a 4.5 and noticed when I hit the water, nobody else was sailing Uppers. The waves which usually broke on the two reefs appeared to be breaking everywhere.

The surf was larger than I had realized, but since I was never scared at Sprecks
like I am sometimes at Hookipa, I was feeling pretty good. I did some reaches, jumped a couple and made some turns. Then the stuff hit the fan. I was caught inside a mast-high plus bomber and my timing was bad. It was too late to turn, jump or get around the shoulder. When I tried to pop over I went backwards over the falls and my rig was stripped from my hands. I swallowed water and fought for breath. My heart was pounding when I saw my board was way down wind and still going.

My experience told me to try to remain calm but the next wave was breaking and when I went to dive below it threw me over backwards. This time I sucked in more salt water and felt dizzy. My swimming and resolve were weakening and as I headed downwind for my board I realized that it was more important to save my energy for the next wave. While I was swimming to reach my board another set coming through gently picked it up and dropped it even farther away.

I was scared being so close to the beach yet so out of control. Then there was another sailor who seemed to materialize from nowhere. Riding a slalom board with a speed sail in this big surf, he still looked like he was out for a Sunday drive. He told me, "Grab my footstrap and I’ll tow you!" A couple of minutes later I was back with my board and out of trouble. He asked if I was alright now and I nodded my thanks.

I held on to my flotation and let the waves wash me across the reef and into shore. I may have drowned if I hadn’t received the help. The news later told of an experienced surfer missing that day. Jim Broach (45) of Oahu was presumed drowned by a set at Phantoms estimated by his peers at 25 foot. When I later thanked the sailor who towed me, he said, "I only hope someone would do the same for me."

So, unlikely as it is, if you ever see world champion speed sailor Eric Beale in trouble out there, please help him. On a sunny Maui winter day that I will long remember, he came to my aid and saved my life.

Robert "Mystery Bob" Gilbert

Rick's Video

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:44:00 +0000

Our good friend, Aussie Rick, sent us this video he made using his Go Pro Hero 3 during his last trip to Maui.

I think it looks pretty cool. Cheers mate.

Send us your videos, pictures, stories or what ever else you want to share with us.

Super Freak Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:45:00 +0000

Got a Super Freak, or want to try one?

Come to Kanaha Beach Park on Saturday June 7th and join the first annual Freak and Meat!

11:00am- 13:30pm Super Freak demos, and rigging clinics with designer Jeff Henderson.

2:00pm Freak helicopter shoot. Be one of dozens of Super Freaks on the water for beauty on the water! Images will be available to all participants!

3:00pm onwards- sailing, demos, Freestyle show with Diony and Friends.

6:00pm Freak Out party at Kanaha Kai shop!

photo courtesy Giam Paolo Camarota

Upper Kanaha High Wind Blasting

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Fri, 23 May 2008 22:06:00 +0000

This is a short video made by Jip where he shows Seva, our Hot Sails distributor, killing it on a fun strong wind day at Upper Kanaha.

Ho'okipa Light Wind Wave Sailing

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:24:00 +0000

This is the first video I ever shot and edited. Hope you guys like it.

Ho'okipa Spy

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Sun, 18 May 2008 01:47:00 +0000

Diony hanging out

It was a nice uncrowded day at Ho`okipa, the wind was a little light but Diony and Glenn were killing it.

Diony on Fire

It was nice to see Ho'okipa uncrowded again. It can get pretty hectic with all the pros in town for their photo shoots. It seems like they'll do anything short of killing you to get that shot, but hey its their job.

Glenn throwin' choke spray

Below is a little slide show of a few more of the day's rippers.

USED SAILS BLOWOUT!

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:59:00 +0000

We have a bunch of used consignment sails in store that we want to sell.

In this blog post we are going to show them off with pictures and some info.

If you like what you see, drop by the shop and come check them out.

First sail;

4.7 Hot Sails Maui Superfreak 2006 C173 (It's in a 5.0 bag) $150,-

It's has normal wear and tear and some torn battenpockets and a repair on the mast sleeve.

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Sail #3;

4.7 Sailloft Curve 2007 $50,-

Has some wear and tear, some repairs done and needs some repairs still to be done.

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Sail #4;

4.2 Gaastra Manic 2007 $125,-

Very good condition, only one impact zone in foot of sail (see picture)

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Sail #5;

4.2 Sailloft Curve 2006 $50,-

Some wear and tear, some repairs, small hole in one panel.

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Sail #6;

5.0 Simmer Vision $125,-

In fair shape, some wear and tear, bit faded, small rips battenpocket, bit wrinkly.

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Sail #7;

5.5 Sailloft Slam 2006 $75,-

In very good condition, one repair in the top of the sail.

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Sail #8;

5.0 Sailloft Curve 2006 $50,-

Wear and tear, needs some repairs, wrinkles and scratches

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Sail #10;

1.6 Hot Sails Maui MicroSO 2006 $80,-
In very very good shape!

Super Freak Meet

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Tue, 13 May 2008 22:00:00 +0000

Got a Super Freak, or want to try one?

Come to Kanaha Beach Park on Saturday June 7th and join the first annual Freak and Meat!

11:00am- 13:30pm Super Freak demos, and rigging clinics with designer Jeff Henderson.

2:00pm Freak helicopter shoot. Be one of dozens of Super Freaks on the water for beauty on the water! Images will be available to all participants!

3:00pm onwards- sailing, demos, Freestyle show with Diony and Friends.

6:00pm Freak Out party at Kanaha Kai shop!

photo courtesy Giam Paolo Camarota

Kanaha Spy

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Sat, 03 May 2008 20:45:00 +0000

Jip before his first session in Kanaha

Our friend Hessel has been down at Kanaha doing a little spying while he lets his foot heal. He caught Jip, the new HSM intern) as he tests some Fires and demos some boards from the shop.

Jip getting wet.

Joyce flips her rental freak around

Robert giving the Da Curve 79 a try

Lets see if Hessel heals quickly from his injured foot or keep a watchful eye on Maui beaches for the next few days.

-Juan

Butterfly Effect

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:39:00 +0000

Ida

Hi everybody

To those of you who do not know me, I am a Danish girl, who started going to Maui in the summer 2006, where Jeff let me stay in his house, to windsurf and get to know Maui.
After having such a nice time in Maui I went home and convinced some of my good friends to come with me after finishing high school. So, fall 2007 I returned to Maui with my friends, and we all rented a house in Paia and stayed for 3 months.
This spring I went back to Maui again to train some more.

Last Maui Sunset

But today I got back home after 8 months of traveling to Maui, Fiji, Australia and then again sweet Maui. Had the most fantastic year, with soo much fun and soo much nice windsurfing. Can’t believe it’s already over… gone by so fast.

Juliana freestylin'

My trip home was hell, being super sad to leave, and then had a 13 hour stay in LA all by myself… but then I could think back of the nicest months, all the nice people I have met, and the last couple of weeks, which has been really fun!

Da Butterfly wahines

Soo, since I promised Juan to post a week ago, here comes some photos from my last weeks in maui…

I will keep posting from back home and till returning to Maui in the fall. If the pictures is looking kind of cold and grey in the beginning of my upcoming posts it’s because it’s still cold back here… cant wait to get my first session on the Danish waters again, but God it looks cold!!

Aloha

The crew

All these pics can be found on Dan Rayburn's website. Check it out, he's also got a bunch more action shots from all over Maui.

Ida Boesen /Denmark
Sponsors: Hot Sails Maui, Starboard & Roxy

Lowers, April sesh

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:07:00 +0000

Beach: Lower Kanaha
Wind: Gusty 10-20 knots ENE
Waves: 1-2 ft

Hessel decided to take his new Star Board Evo out for a spin with his 4.7 Super Freak. He designed this beautiful sail a few months ago. He's been getting plenty of attention, specially from the lady sailors (Hessel's single)

We also went sailing with Juan Pablo who is one of Maui's top freestylers. Whenever he's not hurt you can count on him throwing down the sickest new freestyle moves up and down the beach at Kanaha. Mad props to him. Keep on rippin' cuz...

Kanaha 4/15

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:36:00 +0000

Board: Quatro 66 lts custom fish tail
Fin: MFC '08 Eight 19.7 cms
Sail: '09 Hot Sails Maui Smack 4.3 proto

Beach: Lower Kanaha
Wind: Gusty and shifty 15-20 knots E
Waves: 6-8 ft

Summary: Today Hessel, Turbo (new Dutch HSM intern) and I (Juan, KKM shop manager) went out for a quick session after work. As soon as we arrived everybody was saying that the wind was dropping and to rig big, I only brought one sail with me so I rigged it rather full. Getting out was tough, but once you reached the wind line it was all smooth sailing. It was perfect wave sailing wind not too strong, but powerful enough to speed through long sections and boost off some nice waves on the way out. What was so nice about today was that the wind was blowing off shore, so it groomed the waves to perfection. Not a drop of water was out of place, and there were enough waves for everyone. All the pros were up the coast for the photo shoots, which was perfect because that meant none of them were going to be bothering us. The waves were a little mushy and peaky, but still super fun. Great conditions, with great friends, on the best island what more can you ask for? Maui no ka oi.

Welcome To Our New Site

noreply@blogger.com (Kanaha Kai Maui) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:11:00 +0000

Welcome to the all new Kanaha Kai blog. This will be a window to our daily lives in Maui and the windsurfing world in general. We'll post our latest sessions, gear reviews, travel stories, specials, tips, technique, news, new releases, contest results, and whatever else we want. Everybody is welcome to post here; friends, customers, employees, team riders everyone's invited. So send us your stories with as many pictures and videos as you want to surf@kanahakai.com and we'll upload them. Enjoy, this is for all you guys...