What is going on in Maui???

nw30 · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:13 pm Post subject:

I like to go here for an over all look at things.
http://earth.nullschool.net/#current/wind/surface/level/orthographic=-169.54,12.38,339

It makes me think of that lady who just set off to row across the Pacific from Japan to San Francisco,,,,,,,,,,,,, against the trades!
What is she thinking, does she know something that I don't?

hammerton · Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 49

A quick look at the 200mb chart gives you an indication of what is going on. The jet stream is playing silly games and is way further south than usual with a series of troughs that have been playing havoc with the North Pacific High. Basically this means the trades flow is further south than it should be and a little bit more from the North. Maui's winds are accelerated between the mountains which is why we get such good wind, but too much from the East or too much from the North and the Northshore does not get the full effect. There were some epic West side days and plenty of wind in Kihei these last few weeks. Sometimes even on Maui you have to go find the wind - you can't just sit at Kanaha and complain.

It looks like we will have good trades next week but unfortunately it seems like it is going to be light this weekend for the slalom races.

With the East Pacific 2 degrees C warmer than usual and a strong El Nino on the cards it is hard to know what to expect this year. We have already had 2 major hurricanes in the East Pacific this year and hurricane season has only just started.

I'm stocking up on Spam!

windanseaphoto · Joined: 02 Nov 2015 Posts: 11

Today was good - click here for photos

dieselsilver · Joined: 08 Jun 2015 Posts: 4

Yes, June9 and June10 were much better.

All in all, Maui is a much better option for intermediate windsurfers than the gorge. The gorge is pretty much for experts only. Learning in the gorge sucks, especially when the gorge has been taken over by kites.

The beauty of Maui is that the regulations prevent kites in the windsurfing zone. This makes it so much better for learning. You can waterstart without worrying so much about getting run over by clueless kiters (there are plenty at the event site!).

That runway nearby is a beautiful thing. Without the airport, there would be no regulations, IMO and just a nightmare like the event site is and always will be.

scottwerden · Joined: 11 Jul 1999 Posts: 302

cgoudie1 · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2015 10:24 pm Post subject: Re: Maui praise and rant

I agree with you that the Gorge is not optimum, for learning (or even low intermediates), but the event site was a dangerous place before there were
Kiters. Kook'n is kook'n whether you're on a kite or a sail, but there needs to be someplace where beginners can go, right?

-Craig

daKine · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 39

IMO, by far the best place for a beginner to get exposed to the sport is Worldwinds at Bird Island in Corpus Christi.
Protected, warm, flat water and reliable wind in the spring.
Cheap too and great BBQ.
Meanwhile, the wind at Kanaha is sucking for the second Slalom Series race in a row.
A prediction...this is the summer when the Maui kine have to admit that the Trades are really changing.
Just like the wind is sucking here in Northern Michigan and has for the last three years.

uchida · Joined: 06 Apr 2002 Posts: 42

Bird Island Basin brings back fond memories. My first jibe and water start was there. Chest deep warm water as far as the eye can see. Watch out for the afternoon thunder storms! I also had tons of fun in South Padre Island, same vibe.

windanseaphoto · Joined: 02 Nov 2015 Posts: 11

Hookipa had wind this afternoon.
Photos are here.