Jun 8, 2012
Author: Fiona Wylde
For the past eight months, I have had a count down for March 22nd, 2012. Why? It was the departure date for our family trip to Maui, Hawaii! I had this picture of what Maui was going to be like, beautiful waves, awesome wind, and warm weather.
When I arrived I couldn’t believe I had actually made it to Maui! Within the first hour and a half of landing on the island, my dad, MacRae and I were windsurfing at Kanaha. Nothing compared to my vision of what I thought Maui would have been like… it was even better. That first day was the best. I couldn’t imagine having any more fun.
The next day, we headed straight down to Kanaha again, and had another epic session. I already knew I didn’t want to return to the snow, and it was only day two.
Everything changed when I mustered up enough courage to attempt sailing Ho’okipa. I
was so nervous. I knew that once I got out through the break I’d be fine, but the
water looked nerve-racking. Bernd and Norm Roediger were extremely helpful. They
explained to my dad and I how to get out through the break. They warned us not to
head straight through the middle of the break, but told us to head to the current, which
ran along the rocks. Well, I guess I got rather confused when they told me to head
towards the only hard object near by, so I headed straight out through the middle during
a set. I eked my way over the first wave, but the second knocked me down, and I went
swimming. When I came up, I found that my gear was headed straight towards the
rocks, so I swam as fast as I could towards it. By the time I got everything sorted
out, I realized I had drifted into the channel. I water started and sailed out of there as fast
as I could. I was stoked to have made it out.
After sailing around on the outside for about fifteen minutes, I wanted to ride a wave. I can count the number of days I’ve been
wave sailing on my finger and toes. So, I am just a beginner at wave sailing. I’m a
beginner who knows how to have a lot of fun. When I built up a little more confidence I
began riding waves further and further into the impact zone. After that first session of
windsurfing at Ho’okipa, I realized why people go to Maui. The wavesailing is
absolutely incredible! It is so much fun. I was hooked after that first session. We sailed
Ho’okipa three other days before we returned to Hood River, Oregon.
Our last day on Maui the wind picked up and was blowing 25-30 knots, with mast high or greater swell. I
rigged my 3.4 Sailworks Revo and my brand new Quatro Quad KT 69. I was so excited
to get out on the water, but I was also a little nervous. This time I made it out no
problem, and was on a set wave within my first reach. I was having so much fun; there
was nothing that I wanted to do more. I ended up getting washed a couple times, but it
ended well. After two and a half hours I was getting tired, so I headed for the beach.
Unfortunately I got stuck on the inside during a big set. I was separated from my gear,
and couldn’t swim to it because it was already on the rocks, so I swam to a cove right
around the corner. I made it in thanks to the help of Norm Roediger who was on the
rocks telling me when to and when not to swim in. My gear was moderately
ok, minus a couple dings to the rail on my board. I was still running with adrenalin, and
so stoked to have just finished my last sailing session at Ho’okipa in really epic
conditions. I’m officially hooked on sailing at Ho’okipa. I can’t wait for the next
opportunity to return to Maui to sail Ho’okipa again!
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