Kanaha Kai Maui

THE SUPCUP St. Maxime,France

2011-06-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

A great day, getting first in the long distance in France on the Starboard ACE 14'x25"

More than 100 competitors from all over Europe came to compete in St. Maxime SUPCUP 2011
Racing is getting big in Europe and Stand up is starting to explode.

But first things first. After a long 36 Hours flight from Maui, through LA, San Franscico, London, Amsterdam, to Nice. Yannick, the president of the Cigale surfclub and organizer of the SUPCUP 2011 and Nini (his friend) picked me up in Nice and took me to St. Maxime right oposite of St Tropez. They gave me place to stay and showed me the area. Even took me on a Giant Speed boat.

On Friday I met with Team Starboard France. Joining us was Sebastian Catalan ( world record holder Kite speed), Ryan James (No 1 England), the team manager france, Pascal Pouget and the French importer for Starboard Sebastian. We went for a paddle on the cape and had a nice meal in St. Tropez.

The whole Starboard team Sebastian, Sophie,Pascal,BArt, Ryan and Sebastian

Nini and Yannick, Surfclub La Cigale, invited me for a dinner in St. Maxime

My favorite Race board the STARBOARD ACE 14'0" x25"

Ryan James and me after getting 3rd and 1st in the long distance.

Saturday The 12'6 Elite race
I had a difficult start. The counting in French wasn’t very clear and to 5 instead of 3. So after a slow start in 15th place I managed to get to the outside bouy just in 2nd with no#3. 4 and 5 right behind me, I went after Eric Terrien who was in 1st.
After one round (of 4) I was comfortable in 2nd and 30 meters behind Eric. At the second time at the outside bouy I had some strange chop from passing boats while turning around the bouy and I fall in, after that my comfortable 2nd became a 4th place.
I had a NEW 12’6 which worked OK going out with its wide nose it got a lot of resistance against the chop of the light 6 knot head wind, but going in zick zack around the 5 bouys the board worked well. In the 3rd round I waited and checked out my options to get passed them. We stayed close together going out against the wind then going in I could pass #3 with small glides and hard paddling. In the fourth round I did the same stayed right behind #2 until the outside bouy and worked hard going down through the bouys to get 1 or 2 glide. In the end of round 4 I could pass #2 Geatan and finish in 2nd. I was hoping to battle with Eric for 1st but because of my mistake falling in, it became a battle for 2nd.

1St Eric Terrien (Nidecker) Spain
2nd Bart de Zwart (Starboard) Hawaii/ Holland
3rd Geatan Sene ( Mistral) France
4th Dulou Ludovic ( F-one) France

Team STARBOARD

Sunday The LONG distance 15KM

There I knew who to watch for and listened carefully to the French count down. A good start with Eric Terrien, me and Ryan James in first, 2nd and 3rd.
The wind was 5-15 knots against us most of the way along the coast until the halfway turnaround buoy. So hard work but my kind of conditions. I passed Eric and got a few meters on him, Ryan also passed Eric. After Eric shot back on a tiny downwind part and Ryan fell in. During this downwind part I felt I was strong and knew I had to gain the most on the long stretch back downwind. Eric stayed right next to me all the way to the halfway buoy, testing every so often my strength and paddling hard for a minute. But every time he back off again when I showed I could stay on the same pace. Eric wanted to take off right away at the downwind home stretch and got a good glide and passed me. I took my time and made some space so I could look for my glides without Eric directly next to me. This worked out great I passed him, and worked hard to get the most out of the small glides. I gained more and more distance on Eric and paddled hard to the finish line with a minute on Eric. Ryan James paddled really hard too, making a 3rd place and making up for a few mistakes the day before.

1St Bart de Zwart (Starboard) Hawaii/Holland
2nd Eric Terrien ( Nidecker) Spain
3rd Ryan James (Starboard) England
4th Nika Leonard (Naish) Italy

Ryan and me talking strategies. Ya right!

START

Woohaaa!

Battle of the Paddle may 2011

2011-05-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

A great race, at a great venue: Waikiki, Honolulu.At the starting line only the world best.
The first day we had the Elite race, a 12'6 Stock class race with a zig zag course through the waves.
We had 4 rounds with each round a run through the chicane.
The start line was very crowded with a 150 on the start line a little mistake can put you right in the middle
My Start wasn't very good. So I was in 40th place right away. battling with the crowd. i never found my rhythm in this race. Every time I came to the outside I had a hard time finding a nice big wave to get back in. Finally the last round I felt strong and started passing people found a good set rode it in all the way and ended being in 20th place not a result I was hoping for. In the mean time Connor my training aprtner did good business. He had a great start and worked hard to get to the front. Danny Ching and Traves battled for 1st pace and Connor and Slater battled for 3rd. In the end Connor just worked harder and got his 3rd place.

The long distance. By now I was all fired up, ready to do better. The wind was light and it was going to be a beautiful light wind down winder, just what I liked.
Connor and I had both a good start in the big field of about a 150 competitors.
Outside we got a little wind and some small bumps. if you worked hard you were able to get some glides. Slowly I worked my way up from 10th to 7 place. Then it was time to start working hard. i took a little more outside route with less risk of getting pounded by the swell which worked out for me. Right behind me some one broke his board. In the bay of Waikiki , in the flats, i just grinded until I got close to the shore and made sure didn't make any mistakes, passing 2 more and getting in 4th place. The last couple of 100 yards i paddled my brains out and came in 4th. Super stoked Connor got in right in front of me in 3rd. So a good day for the team.

relay team TEAM STARBOARD
The the relay. This time we had it figured out. Zane was the starter. He had great starts and get up on the board super fast. Then me, Gillian our girl and finishing was Connor. 2*4 laps.
we had a good start getting in 5th place, at my turn we got to 2nd, Gillian held our position and Connor started working toward the 1st place. After 7 rounds we were close but it came all down to the last 50 yard when Connor past the 1st place girl to get our team 1st place over the finish line.

So a nice weekend of paddling.
Thanks to STARBOARD, DAKINE, Black Project fins and Contour HD for support.

TEAM STARBOARD in the Catalina Challenge & Starboard Pro SUP line

2011-04-14T19:46:00.000-07:00

First, here is a nice video Scott made when I was visiting him down under. It shows what the Pro Stand up line is all about.

I use the 8'5 Pro and the 10'3 Gun mostly

The 8'5 is a fun small aggressive and fast board. The 9'1 and 9'8 have a little more glide and are easier to get on the wave but still have fast aggressive scoop rocker line.

The 10'3 GUN is a big wave stand up board. This board handles a lot of speed. I just used this board the last 2 times I was in Jaws. But it is definitely not only for Jaws, this winter I had a lot of good days at the outer reefs here. At some point the smaller boards have their limits when the waves get bigger. With a board like this with a narrower outline you generate more speed with more control and because of the narrow tail you can maintain that control in the turns. On big waves you need the length to get on the wave. Bigger waves have more speed so it is harder to get on them. With a board like this you can get up to speed to get on them.

2 Weeks ago I raced a team race with Ernest Johnson (EJ) in California, TEAM STARBOARD. A 40 mile race between Catalina Island and Dana Point. We raced on the ACE 14' and switched every 30 minutes. Because of the headwind we encountered it took us 7 and a half hours to complete the race. We came in 2nd place in the 14 foot class just a minute behind team quickblade.
Here is a little video I made of the race.

MAUI WINTER

2011-03-06T13:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a small impression of a Hawaiian Winter. A few weeks without any blog post. But here is a movie I just made

Waves, Stand Up, Whales, Tropical Green, and lot's of Aloha

MAUI WINTER from Bart de Zwart on Vimeo.

Finally we have strong trades back. Lot's of windsurfing and downwinders in the next days ahead.

SUP Training season starts again. I have been training all winter but in a lighter modus. In 3 weeks we have the first race and from then on the summer through until october.

First race will be the Catalina RACE. A 40 mile 2 man team race from Catalina Island to Dana point. I join EJ in Dana Point for this race. TEAM STARBOARD. Whiiiha

We will make sure we have some footage to show after the race.

ALOHA,

Bart

AUSTRALIA

2011-01-24T04:21:00.000-08:00

The DOCTOR SUP Race in Australia

Since a couple of days I am here in Western Australia for THE DOCTOR , Australia's premier SUP race. I met with Scott Mc Kercher, STARBOARD's main board designer and tester, who showed me around in Perth and Rottnest Island.
On the 22nd we left in the morning for Rottnest Island 15 km from the coast. At 1:00 pm
The race started for the Stand Up Boards. First a sprint to the first buoy then 11km slightly from the side and then the remaining 18 km straight form the back. The finish was in Sorrento.
Until last minute I was trying to decide between the ACE 12'6*25 or the RACE 12'6 *29. I decided for the RACE because it just catches a waves easier. The ACE is better in flat water.

Probably the RACE 12'6* 27 would have been my first choice but I would have been impossible to bring that board from Maui with the flight connections I had. But even the slightly wider one I was using is still very very fast.
The wind was a lot lighter then for casted. Everybody started off fast, to win the bonus $500 1-km sprint. Paul Jackson and I were the only ones who could catch on with the two 17 footers in front of us. But still just to fast for us to get to that first mark in 1st. When we got further out we started working the bumps and getting glides. Because of the light winds it was super hard to get a glide but your efforts were double rewarded when you did. After the 1/3 mark I caught up with Courtney on his 17 footer. So I kept working to stay close to Paul Jackson who was just ahead of me.
After 2hrs and 53 minutes I got to the finish in 2nd place with Paul still just 2 minutes ahead of me. It was a hard race and I gave everything.

Thanks to STARBOARD for their SUPER fast boards, Black Project fins, DAKINE and Kanaha Kai Maui.

Top 3, left to Right, Bart 2nd, Andy 3rd and Paul 1st

The water tasted so nice after the race

Jacco ( Paul) and me talking story after the race.

Next race in Margret River on Wednesday. In the mean time Scotty and I will be testing next years boards.

Aloha from Down Under

Kona days and more SUP

2011-01-16T18:42:00.000-08:00

After some Kona winds. It is light again. Still plenty of swells.
So lots of Stand Up in the outer reefs.
I am getting to know the new STARBOARD boards.

The Starboard 8'5"* 28.5 PRO is a fun little board for smaller waves. The board turns so fast, you can surf it and work it as a surfboard.

The Gun 10'3 x28.5 is made for the bigger days. Nice thin rails and lots of rocker. It is easier getting on the bigger waves because of it's length and it handles the speed because it is narrow and has the thin rails. If you want it to turn you step back and it makes nice, hard, controlled turns.

The Starboards are already light but the brushed carbon boards are super light. Not only nice to carry and to accelerate to get on the wave but specially with the top turns you feel a big difference.
I am really stoked.
Here is a little video of the last 3 sessions on the outer reefs, Tavares, Kuau and Outer sprecks.
Sometimes with Connor but mostly just by myself.

Glassy and wavy January 9

2011-01-09T23:36:00.000-08:00

Just a few shots of today's action in Hookipa. It is a lot smaller but still very nicceeee.
Still a lot more waves coming. The wind died off though. Some Kona is expected for this week.

The swell is still very Northerly which makes everything different in Hookipa.

Some close outs

And some nice ones

Aloha from Maui

Maui on Fire

2011-01-04T23:22:00.000-08:00

The year just started but it started off with Hookipa on fire.
A squall gave us a perfect rainbow.
Here are some shots Jimmie Hepp made. He is every day in Hookipa and anywhere else on Maui making awesome shots. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000830216933

Hookipa January 2nd 2011

Squall

Beautiful whale shot from Hookipa

Mark going off, just before he went on the rocks

Mark again, sailing very well , as always

Master Robby Naish with Kai Lenny

Here I Kind of lost my board, my bullet proof smack can withstand anything though

Aloha from Maui

Happy NEW YEAR

2011-01-02T23:34:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year.
New years resolution, paddle harder, windsurf stronger and take care of the people around you.
We had many swells and light winds in December. So lots of Stand up surfing in Kaua, Outer Sprecks and Lanes.
But now the wind is back and we had an amazing day in Hookipa.
Here is a litte video of the new Starboard GUN 10'3 x 28.5" I just got in.
Yes our shop is full of the 2011 new Starboards.

Bart 1st Place in the SUP race event, Big Island

2010-12-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

The Stand up World Tour also organized a flat water racing event in Hilo Bay.
a 3 mile course around 3 buoys. Connor and I did well. A great event in combination with the wave event. A beautiful island with beautiful people.

12’6 class 1st Connor ( 3rd overall) Starboard RACE 12'6
14’ class 1st Bart (1st overall) Starboard ACE 14'

Full ranking
12’6 1st Connor Baxter, 2nd Zane Schweitzer, 3rd Matt Becker

14’ 1St Bart de Zwart, 2nd Aaron Napoleon, 3rd John ?

Top 3 14'class

Top 3 12'6 class

The master of the Papahe’enalu (wooden surfboard)

After the race Connor and I visited the Akaka falls

Thanks to

Starboard for a fast board

Black Project Fins for a fast fin

And DaKine for cool wear

Stand Up world Tour Big Island

2010-12-20T23:22:00.000-08:00

Kai Lenny wins the last event on the big island and the overall world title in the wave Stand up World tour.
I just came back from the Big Island where I joined the party for Kai with his first world title. His dream was always to win the world title in windsurfing , which took a quick turn when he won the first world tour event in Sunset, Oahu.

Kai

Luau prize giving ceremony

Top 3 World Tour
Kai Lenny, Peyo Lizarazu, Antoine Delpero

Watch the video of the final day.

Medium Swell hits Maui

2010-12-10T21:48:00.000-08:00

The last couple of day we had a good North swell hitting Maui's North Shore. Dagmar made some nice shots. I was on my 9'1*29 Still a littyle wide for waves like this. So I am excited about next week when the new 2011 Starboards come in. Specially the new Gun 10'3 *28 a big wave gun born for the Maui winters. Aloha from maui, Bart

Kuau

Lanes

Scott Trudon , Hookipa

Just one surf and me in Lanes

Whale encounter in South Africa

2010-11-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

The last few days the wind was gone. So we tried our luck in Elands Bay,where a thermal wind sometimes comes up in the afternoon. While waiting for the wind I went for a Stand up paddle session when I encounter a whale who was at least as interested in us as we were in him. here is a short video.

Stand Up Paddle Whale encounter in South Africa from Bart de Zwart on Vimeo.

Aloha from South Africa

First week in South Africa

2010-11-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

The first 10 days we had wind non stop. The first couple of days we spend in Langebaan testing 5.3 and 6.0 sails and 95 liter board on flat water.

The water here is very cold mostly between 10-14 degrees. But on the other hand the sun is mostly shining which makes it all bearable again. Unfortunately I won't be able to tell about the results of the test. This you have to read in the magazine. But I can tell you we have 4.7 sails weighing only 2.8 kilos and wave boards with one, two, three and four fins.

Langebaan Photo shoot Flat water

Platboom, Cape of Good Hope board test and 4.7

Platboom, mast high

We were lucky in Platboom where we had perfect conditions for 4.7 and solid waves for 2 days. But heh, it is not Maui, it is rougher, colder and less clean.

The wind is gone now since 2 days, so we do measurements, board shape discussions and photos and off course we have some spare time to go stand up in Elands bay and Swart riet

So far from South Africa,

Aloha, Bart

Off to SURF test South Africa

2010-11-05T08:37:00.000-07:00

Since 16 years now I have been testing for the German SURF magazine. A 5 week stay in South Africa where we test dozens and dozens of new 2011 boards and sails.

This year I had 54 hrs flight with layover in Dubai, which is an very interesting place.

Clean, any littering is a $150 fine

Hot, between 25 in the winter and 50 degrees summer

The latest and the greatest, one building is bigger and taller than the other.

Modern, even the bus stops are air conditioned

Here are a few sights of Dubai.

Burj Khalifa With 818 The tallest building in the world

Cheapest room here only $4000 a night...

Huge Hotels, this one with an oversize aquarium.

A couple of hours later, I was sitting in the next plane again to Cape town.

Aloha, this time from Langebaan. South Africa

New Boards and New Waves on Maui

2010-10-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we got the NEW 2011 Quads in. They not only look amazing but they are also sophisticated. That's why they are called Quad IQ. They have a clever new box system so you can switch out the front and back fins (onshore bigger fins in the front, side shore smaller fins in the front) and even use the board as a twin fin (skatey feel). All the quads come with 6 fins, 4 for a quad set up or 2 for a twin set up.

2011 QUADs fresh, fast and so turny

Yesterday we had another great swell again. Stand up in the morning and windsurf in the afternoon. Pictures below are made by Simone Reddingius find here on facebook if you need a Maui Photographer.

Bart, Hookipa/Lanes, on a Starboard 9'1 Pro

Kai Lenny, Hookipa

Andy not so Happy, Hookipa

Robby Naish Hookipa/Lanes

I am off to South Africa for the german SURF windsurfing test for the next 4 weeks. I will keep you posted.

Last day in the battle of the paddle

2010-10-09T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Starboard team descended on Dana Point for the Third Annual Battle of The Paddle in San Clemente California. October 2nd and 3rd saw 863 paddlers and over 10,000 spectators which made for BOP the largest Stand Up Paddleboard event in the world. This year brought out top athletes from every corner of the world to compete. Starboard's team definitely had the US presence; bringing in our top riders from around the world. The riders brought their best physically and mentally and Declan Sacre brought the best boards for them.

Some of the highlights to catch up on; Starboard SUP Team honors go to Bart De Zwart (52:52) in the open race, riding a 14-foot board out paddled and out maneuvered every size of paddleboard out there to get fastest time. "Because there were so many racers (350) they had staggered starts for the unlimited, 14 foot and 12'6. Connor and Zane went on the 12'6 and me on the 14ft." Said Bart. "The start went well with just about 10 racers ahead of me I slowly started to work my way to the front. With so many racers getting around the buoys was a challenge again. Near the finish I only had 2 unlimited racers seconds in front of me but since they started one minute ahead of me I only had to stay close to get the overall. After the last wave ride I finished right behind the 2 unlimited."

15 year old Connor Baxter did Starboard proud coming in 6th overall in the men's elite is definitely amazing. The testing grounds for athletes to push themselves and their equipment to the limit is the Elite Class. This year it was broadcast live to 60 countries and showed the best paddlers worldwide giving their all to go down in history as the Battle of The Paddle Champion. 160 people in this class, 5 miles, 4 laps, and 100 yard beach sprints, make this battle what it is.

5 laps with a little run every lap. Bart with Jacco just behind

A perfect downwinder Starboard video Connor & Bart

2010-10-09T15:22:00.000-07:00

Here is our latest Down wind video. Connor and I going from Maliko to Kanaha on our new 12'6 and 14' Surf race. This video shows what downwinders are all about, lot's of surfing down the windswell.
Aloha, Bart

Video by Bill Boyem

The Battle of the paddle California 2010

2010-09-30T08:17:00.001-07:00

The next race is on in 2 days.

The current SUP top is meeting in Dana Point, California. The 5 mile race through the surf on Saturday and 10 mile long distance on Sunday. Check the life reports on

www.rainbowsandals.com/BattleOfthePaddle/CA/

I will keep you posted. Aloha ,Bart

WON the 11-city!

2010-09-30T08:02:00.001-07:00

Sorry this post didn't get through yet.
But after hard work and 25hrs of paddeling I won the 11-city tour just 25sec. Ahhoooeha, jsut ahead of Xavier Mazdevall and 5 minutes ahead of Erwin Janssen.

Final press release Mistral SUP 11-City Tour 1-5 September.

Athletes paddle 220 kilometers in 5 days along 11 historical Frisian cities; the ultimate challenge!

The last start of the Mistral SUP 11-City Tour fires at 10 am, Sunday the 5th of September. It is the last stage Dokkum-Leeuwarden where all the final results will be realized. 15 extra SUP enthusiast sign up for the day- stage which results in the largest and most exciting start of 45 suppers sprint away to create themselves a good position in the line up.

The northeast winds, accompanied by happy sunshine, blow the participants for the most part of the day in the back. SUPporters, locals, friends and families accompany the suppers from bridge to bridge from town to town.

World champion ice skater ('96) Annamarie Thomas makes her debut on a SUP as she participates as the 'celeb' of the day. She is being accompanied by Mike van Snek; general director division Mistral Europe. Annamarie announces to participate next year with a team as she is 'hooked' after her first SUP kilometers.

The finish place in Leeuwarden is hard to miss: Tents, beach flags, banners show that there's
something going on. The Red Bull hummer tops it up with upbeat tunes and a solid sound system for speaker Amanda.

Bart de Zwart (Starboard, DAKINE, Kanaha Kai Maui) is the first to cross the finish line in 3:06:43 (over a distance of 26 kilometers). Xavier Masdevall (Rivierapaddelsurf, Ron house, Quick Blade,
PHB.es, Radz Hawaii, Crocs, Prolimit. Gaastra, Tabou, Healthsystem.es) follows him closely with a time of 3:06:48. With his win, Bart de Zwart takes the title of the Mistral SUP 11-City Tour and his winning overall time is: 23:28:55.

Erwin Janssen (Brunotti/ Holland Composites Industrials) crosses the line today in 3:13:13. He is tortured by tendinitis in his wrist and it took him a lot of mental strength to finish this stage. A large group of friends and family were waiting for him at the finish. The result of this day stage is also the result of the overall of the event.

Jenny Kalmbach (Naish, Pure Paddles, 2XU, Dakine, Watermans Applied Science, Kaenon) and
Karen Wrenn (Naish, Kaenon, Kialoa, Vitamin A, On It Pro) finish together in 3:23:26. Anne-Marie Reichman (Roxy clothing, Starboard, Da Kine, SimmerSails) finishes about 16 minutes later with a time of: 3:39:29. Karen her overall time is impressive: 25:17:53. She is actually 1 second in front of Jenny, but the girls like to tie in the overall result.

Besides the fun and pride to complete the tour, the competition is fierce beyond the teams. Team Hightide and Kite Mobile battle for first place. Kite Mobile safes their 'power house' for the last and wins the final stage – which gives them the overall team title. Their total time is 26:38:54. Team Hightide comes second with a time of 26:52:53. Starboard-SUPmagazine team is happy with their third place with a total time of 27:22:48.

The free SUP clinics, organized Starboard and Naish, are also the last day of the event a huge success. People of all ages get their first introduction to SUP.

Overall female winners:
1.Karen Wrenn 25:17:53
2.Jenny Kalmbach: 25:17:54
3.Anne-Marie: 26:45:15

The SUP 11-City Tour is proud to present equal prize money for men and women.

Overall male winners:
1.Bart de Zwart 23:28:55
2.Xavier Masdevall 23:29:18
3.Erwin Janssen 23:34:45

Drama and excitement in the SUP 11 city tour

2010-09-03T13:11:00.001-07:00

Yesterday disaster struck when after being 9 minutes ahead Xavi and I missed a turn and paddled 9 km extra. Today was decided that the extra time will be cut in half, which leaves us with a 21 min. penalty.
Today was a new race with new changes. We had the same racers in the lead, Erwin, Xavi and I and Bellard following. Since we had to make up time we went hard and sprinted away from Erwin just before the half way break. When Xavi and I came to Franeker we sprinted to thee finish again. A long 1.5 km sprint where Xavi took off , I caught up , Xavi almost got caught in fishing line, I got the inside curve and took over and finished just ahead of Xavi. A hard long day. Erwin came in 9 min later followed by Bellard from Spain. Jenny Kalbach came in first in the women division just ahead of her friend Karen. Two more days and this 220 km race is over. Tomorrow they call for head wind, another grueling day in Frysland.
Aloha from Holland
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The 220 km 11 city race is on

2010-09-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Day 1
Today was the start of 11 city tour. A five day race. We started at 9:00. A few racers from last year returned and many new competitors. The maximum length for the sup boards is 16 foot. I race on the Starboard K15, made for flatwater racing.
Like last year every body sprinted away at the start. With 45 km to go. Soon we had Xavier Mazdevall from Spain, Erwin Jansen from Holland and me at the front. After 15 minute break Xavi and I took off and battled each other for hours. In the end 1 km from the finish we were still together. We decided to sprint for the finish the last 500 meters. At that piont we were allready very tired. At the finish I could the race for me with xavi right behind finish time was 4hrs and 55min. Erwin came in 3rd 7 min later. After a good massage we have to eat a lot to make up for everything lost today. Day 2. Starts tomorrow at 9:00.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sup World cup Hamburg II

2010-08-29T08:56:00.001-07:00

This event takes place in the middle of Hamburg in the habour.
We started the sprint final at 12.00. Paul from Australia, Xavier Masdevall from Spain, Eric Terrien from France, Jerry Bliss from Hawaii, John Hibert from the UK, and me. The sprint is lap of 1km around 2 bouys.
Here in Hamburg I have been using a 14' NEW Starboard, it is fast but I had to adjust my turns because with these board you can't step back. So you turn solely around your paddle.

At the start Eric took off and took the lead. I was fourth, then third , and then second at the first bouy. I thought this was going great. When I went around the bouy with someone hit me hard on the tail which threw me of my board. Before I was on my board again I was in fifth place and very angry. At the second bouy I caught up with the 4th. I gave everything until the finish but I was one board length shy of John Hibert who came in 3rd. Eric 1st and Xavi 2nd.
For the long distance 14ft race, I only had a 12'6 to my disposal. So I knew I didn't stand a change against all the 14 footers. But I tried anyway. In the mean time there were a lot of spectators lined up , a big crowd, all cheering on.
After 10 km it was Eric again in 1st, Paul in 2nd and Jerry in 3rd. I came in 10th.
In all ,a great event. But I leave with mixed feelings. In 2 days we start the 11~city tour in Holland. I will post some pictures later today.
Aloha
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sup World Cup Hamburg

2010-08-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

After many hours of flying, finally in the Netherlands. The next day Xavi Mazdeval , met me to go to Hamburg, Germany for the Sup world cup. more than 150 amateurs and 50 pros. On the first day we had 2 rounds of qualifying. Today we will have the final. I came though the rounds of the sprints and we have 6 in the final. To see what it's like check www.supworldcup.com . The weather is windy , rainy and rather cold. I check back later with more sup action and results. Aloha from brrr Gemany
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

OLUKAI Stand Up race 2010

2010-05-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

The RACE was on a again.
More competitors than ever and good conditions this year.
After a short but nice ceremony we all went on the water and lined up for the start.

I got a F14 from Connor Baxter the day before the race, a fast board but the conditions weren't fitting for this board and I had not enough practise on this rudder board. I fell of 5 times and couldn't get the glides. I am still disappointed about my result. But I am happy for Connor 4th and Livio 1st, their hard work paid off.

Two helicopters and and more than 200 racers

Just after the start the F14 F16 and F18 pull away from the rest of the field.

Livio came in after 53.36 minutes. First ever win for him, well earned.

Happy Livio.

Andrea got first in the women's Elite

I came in 15th in the Elite.

DAKINE

From left top right Ive, Me, Allen, Jeremy, Jack, Mark and Livio

Connor 15 yrs old, got 4 th place and did very well.

The Butterfly Effect

2010-04-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

More than 100 women participated this year in the 4th Butterfly Effect. Organized by Tatiana Howard. An event only for women. Windsurfing, Kite Surfing but most came with their Stand Up Paddle board. This year a little more challenging than the last years because of the waves. Meeting point was Hookipa where big sets came rolling in. After a welcome greeting, releasing of the butterflies and stretching it was decided to go to Sprecks and start there.

Starboard Butterfly Girls

Start in Sprecks

Butterflies...

Meeting in Hookipa

Coming around Camp One

Dagmar passing the Helicopter

Stretching in Hookipa

Releasing the Butterflies

Laura on of the few brave ones on her wave board

Peahi (JAWS) March 30 2010

2010-04-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

I have waited a long time for this day. Finally, march 30 was the day. A super late in the season big swell. I called my tow partner Cyrus the evening before if he was ready to go to JAWS to go windsurfing. Cyrus always is. The swell looked big enough and the wind had been super strong the last couple of days.

Cyrus and I met in the morning in Maliko, together with my long time friend, Diony his Tow partner Juan, and Jeff, HOT sails owner and photographer today. We strapped everything on the Ski and the sled and launched. The way up there was heavy, we arrived in Peahi after 30 minutes, cold stiff and red eyes from all the water we got in our faces.

We were the first. I rigged up and tried to position myself in the line up. By the time Diony got to the scene I was dialed in and had my first waves. I used a Smack 4.8 and a quad 76 which is a little big for these conditions but I know the board well and I felt good on it.

Anita Harris http://www.anitaharris.com/ and Dave Martyn took all these shot from the cliff, a big thank you to them.

One of my first waves , woooaa haaa

The speed on the wave is amazing

Diony Guadagnino

Diony in the pocket

Maui Mix Whales , Windsurf & SUP

2010-03-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

Last weekend the wind started light so I decided to go whale watching with a stand up and a 5.3 sail/ On Maui you don't ahve to go far to find some whales. I found 3. You could see them jumping/breaching from far. When I finally got the camera ready they stopped breaching off course and started slapping with their fins on the water surface. Amazing creatures , specially when you get that close.

Today everything was right waves, the wind picked up and a good crowd in uppers. Diony came from Venezuela to join us on the water.

This week I also tried out the new BOLT, a 4 batten, light weight sail for free style and wave.

Trying the new Super freak prototype

Plenty of wind, Hookipa sessions and a turtle downwinder

2010-03-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Last week many good days in Hookipa. There is a whole Scandinavian Crew sailing in Hookipa and Kuau. Pilip Wallin shot a nice video in HD which you can see below. Hot Sails riders Ola & Andres & me and other riders Mark Angulo (always there and always sailing amazingly) and Robby Swift who hurt himself this session as did Robby Naish a few hours before. Pilip gives a niceview from the hill overlooking Hookipa beach a place where you can spend days just watching, the sailing, the waves, the crashes on the rocks and everything else what's going on down there.

Last week I had a few sessions on the Quad 71. I use the 76 as a alround light to medium wind range board and the 71 in Medium to stronger wind conditions. The 76 is very forgiving, and easy to get through the white water but still radical, with snappy top turns. In big waves where you generate a lot of speed the board is a bit wide. Still it is my all time favorite. The 71 feel a lot smaller and is not so forgiving on the wave. But It handles tight turns and lots of speed. Last week we were looking to go to Jaws for w windsurfing session in the end it didn't happen because there was to much wind chop which would make it impossible to stay on you board coming down wave size that big.n For days like that were you don't need tight turns but most of all control I think a narrow single fin board with some double concave is the best option. For everything else a Quad.

MALIKO DOWNWINDER

This weekend I made a downwinder with Dagmar. Nice day, medium trades, sunny and many turtles.

The Maliko to Kanaha Run is about 1 hour and 35 minutes if you take it easy and 1hr and 15 minutes if you go full on.

A Downwinder is a nice combination of paddling & surfing. You are basically riding the wind chop/swell the whole way. A few strong strokes and you catch chop ride 50 meters a few more strokes an other chop.... Good training and lots of fun.

ALOHA from Maui

Beautiful Outer reef day

2010-02-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

They were calling 15-25 feet. After driving up and down the coast to find the right spot, I met up with Gaimpaolo, together we paddled to the out reef.

It was one of those perfect days. Big and high peeling waves, glassy, now wind and just 4 of us out there and a couple of tow in crews.

I had the HD Go Pro camera mounted on my head,Giampaolo on his paddle. This time I made only pictures. Which this camera does very well by the way.

We stayed out from 7:00 to 11:00, Dagmar took care of the shop. I saw this one coming last week and we sheduled this session as a 'have to go'

Unfortunately the wide angle lens doesn't reflect the actual size of the waves.

Also check Gaimpaolo 's site with more action. http://www.mauisurfreport.blogspot.com/

This is one picture where you can actually see a little bit of the actual size of the waves. The pocket just behind me and peeling in front, what a life. Wooohaa...

Here is a shot of Giampaolo, he also had an awesome day.

Giamo Paolo made this one from his paddle mount.

I broke my leach, the a tow in team helped me back to my board. After that it was a short leach with a big not which held up for another 2 hours.

My version of Ben Stiller, 'There is something about Mary", see Giampaolo's blog. http://www.mauisurfreport.blogspot.com/

Another shot of Gaimpaolo sharing this wave with me.

Look at this perfect shape.

Aloha from Maui

Oh Beautiful Hookipa

2010-02-22T22:09:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning,
glassy, big waves a beautiful day, a stand up day. I leave my wife and daughter before breakfast, after quick birthday call to my sister in Holland. I drive down 3 minutes before I see how good the waves really are.
After a couple of tries I made it out in Kuau. Getting to know my new 9'1" a little bit better. A few amazing drops and rides.
Although the forecast wasn't to good. The wind picked up strong enough in the afternoon. This time Hookipa. The Light winds on the inside made it challenging to get out. Below is a picture of Ola from Sweden with a huge set in front of him.
Once you were out you could ride the big sets and just get out in time and don't ride them in all the way. But what fun it was. Sharing Hookipa only with hand full of other riders. Brilliant as ever Robby Naish. Daring as always, Mark Angulo, Young riders Bend, Connor Baxter and my friend Andres. Hookipa at it's best.
Thanks Kate, for the pictures

Ola facing nature

Robby Naish

Bootm Turn Robby Style

Bend on of the youngest riders in Hookipa

Mark Angulo

The Waterman League

2010-02-08T22:08:00.000-08:00

Waterman League's Stand Up Paddle World Tour is on in Oahu.

Maui's Kai Lenny (17) , Robby Naish and Slater Trout (15) all made it through the first round.

Here are some pictures from the trails and first round.

The wind is back on here on Maui. Since I have the new GO PRO HD camera I made some movies but did not edit them. From wednesday on there is lot's of waves and wind. But first those Waterman League pictures.

These pics don't need any words.

Aloha from Maui, Bart

New Toys and big waves pipeline

2010-02-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Check out the videos of the pipeline volcom Pro in Oahu. Dagmar was there with a girlfriend and saw the whole thing live from the beach. www.volcompipelinepro.com

NEW TOYS

Our container arrived Saturday, with all the new Starboards ( read toys)
After hours of unpacking I discovers some beautiful boards.
I had to go and try them out Sunday morning.
First a session on the new 9'1" pro ( 29 wide) in Hookipa. When I arrived the wind was already there. As a windsurfer I don't mind as a stand up surfers I do. Which means I am always happy with or without wind.
A had a couple of good ride , big drops and big wipe outs. In all a good morning.

All the new toys in the back up of my pick up ready for water.

In the after noon I went first for a windsurf stand up session. Which ended not too well after my mastfoot broke. After that I gave it an other try on the new QUAD 76 which was absolutely awesome. Light winds stopped most people going out in Kuau which has a difficult entrance and exit. The over mast high sets made it all exciting and worth it. In all a great day. I am totally hooked on the Quads, they plane very well and still you can make some much tight turns on a wave, like a surfboard.

Kanaha Kai packed with new Boards.

Karen Baxter head of inventory

Aloha, From Maui

The wind came and went, the waves still going strong

2010-01-24T21:42:00.000-08:00

Pics by Dagmar

This week the trades were back.. only for a couple of days. We had a beautiful side/on-almost-Holland-conditions for one day. I came back late from work, drove by Hookipa and couldn't resist to jump in the water. After a big rain shower.The wind really filled in, together with a good swell it made an epic sunset session with only 4 guys out in Hookipa, Kauli seadi, Pieter Bijl and 2 more locals. I still use the Evil twin 74 which is a great board, snappy easy to use and still radical. I ordered the Quad 71 which is an whole other board, still easy to use but even more surf style, very turny with a lot of grip.

The next day the swell really kicked in. Hookipa closed out and Kuau was big but ride able. Together with the usual 5 or 6 who come after work we had some amazing size rides.

This weekend for the first time since the beginning of December the waves were small again and there was a big crowd in Hookipa. Sunday morning things looked different again and the swell was up. It just keeps coming.

Next week we get in the new Starboards. The Qauds, the new SUPs. So there will be a lot to try out and tell you about. I still use the SUP 9'8" element which is a nice board and does well in small to medium size waves but I am ready for something smaller. Although if you go smaller you loose some of the early-wave-catching-ability.

The next week looks mixed again. Mostly waves some days with wind and a possible tow in or big stand up day. I still haven't figured out how to show the wave size on the go pro videos but I will keep trying.

Mama's Fish House Parrot looking at the stand up paddlers

JAWS WipeOUT VIDEO

2010-01-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

Take look at this Short JAWS Wipe Out Reel, Video, Elliot Leboe made.
Don't try this at home or in the bath tub

Jaws Wipeout Reel 2009 from ACL Productions on Vimeo.

More Maui winter swells and my best stand up wave ever

2010-01-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

What a day.

First a 2 hours session in Uppers Kanaha. After I passed by almost any Maui spot. Hookipa, Kuau, Baby beach, Pier one. Most were closing out and impossible to get out. So I ended up in Kanaha were you can always go out. Only this time there were 15 other guys in a place where you are normally by yourself.
Here is a little view of how it was.

I wasn't totally happy about the morning session so I went out again in the afternoon. I was still huge, Jaws was breaking just a couple of miles down the coast.
Kaua looked do-able once you were out. I went ot Noriagas and met Mike Eskimo with his french friend Bruno. We took of though the shore break, through a little channel which was the mostly open. And ended up outside. The waves were huge and hard to get. When They have this size they also have a lot of speed. The only thing you can do is, go deep, paddle hard and be lucky that there isn't a huge set showing up on the horizon. Twice a set almost got me. So I didn't waited around to long and found a big, good a frame wave and got my biggest wave I have ever riden on a stand up. A thrilling ride which lastes longer than I hoped for but finally closest out on me when I was almost in. Mike and Bruno weren't that lucky. The next set first got Bruno then 2 wave later Mike. Both their leaches broke and boards ended up where I was waiting inside. They had a exciting scrary swim but got washed in pretty quick. So no footage or pics.
An exciting day in een exciting week.

Here is the rest of the diary

Monday tow in what I thought was the biggest swell of this winter with some great rides and great swim (wipe outs), wind 2 BFT SW Waves XXL
Teusday, wind 1 BFT NE, waves XL, action Tow in
Wednesday wind Var 1BFT, waves M, no action
Thursday wind 3-4 BFT N,sail 5.8, waves M, no action
Friday wind 5 BFT, Sail 5.0, waves M windsurfing in Hookipa
Saterday wind 3BFT NE, waves MStand up family session in Kanaha
Sunday wind 2 BFT NE, waves XL, 2 Stand up session, Kanah & Kuau

Below are a few pics of last week with a small swell in Kuau.

Womens Stand Up Event January 9th 2010

2010-01-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

STARBOARD girls; Tiffany, Dagmar and Anne-Marie

In Maui there are a lot of women doing stand up. There was a great turn out for the women's SUP event in Wailea. 320 women signed up for this event organized by Suzie Cooney and Tommy Callan.

Tommy and Suzie

We went over there at 5 am to make sure we had a parking spot to unload all the 12 boards we brought with us. For us a good oportunity to demo the boards and support the women who came without a board.

SUP Clinic, safety, Hula, Health Food, Cancer foundation support and a big price rafel. And off course every body on the water for a 1 and a half hour paddel along the coast. Organized in 3 group level.

Hula girls

The sometimes huge shorebreak didn't make it easy for the first timers to get in the water. With the help of 20 caddies who brought the boards in and out, everything went fine and without injuries and only one broken board ( not a Starboard)

Interview with the Maui news

Happy SUPers

Tomorrow there is a 30-40 feet swell coming. So plenty of action again. Have to get in bed fopr a 5 Am dawn patrol to go tow in.

Aloha

Back on the blog in the new year 2010

2010-01-06T22:48:00.000-08:00

What a winter, the swells just keep coming every day. So it's sure to say we have a different year this year. An El nino year. Which means on Maui, that the low pressures just keep passing by rather close. In other words, a winter ( dec/ jan) with lot's of waves and little trade winds.

Take a look at this North Pacific swell forcast. One train of waves after the other. This is what it looks like in 36 hours. Dark red is 48 feet swell, orange 18 feet and green 7. The little dots in the right corner are the Hawaiian islands.

Now that means we had very little windsurfing lately but lot's of surfing, stand up paddeling and tow in. Hookipa looks often like this, closing out and to big to surf.

Lanes on a beautifull glassy morning.

This year I will keep a small waterman dairy. In short what the water action was for each day of this year. After a year we will add up all the numbers and see

Jan 1 - Stand up session Lanes, head high

Jan 2 -Stand up session Kanaha shoulder high

Jan 3 -Windsurfing Kona winds in Lanes, wasn't very big but the waves were very good

Jan 5 - Tow in training session head high, early morning until the Kona winds picked up to strong

Jan 6 - Tow in session, mast high outer reef sprecks.

So the last days I pick up tow-in again. I found a new partner with a jet ski. So we have been out on a training session on Tuesday to see how we work together. Tow in is all about your partner. He is the one putting you in the right position on the wave and he is the one picking you up, just in time before the next bomb drops on you. An exciting and thrilling part is driving the jetski. which is actually harder than surfing the wave itself. For example you have about 15 seconds to pick up your partner after a wave. You are coming from behind the wave , find him, go to him at full speed, slow down just in time , swing the ski around so he can climb on the rescue sled and then get the hell out becuase the next wave is about to break right on your head. Today we went for an other session it was a lot bigger and the Kona winds stayed away for 3 hours. We went to outer sprecks were I had a few exciting rides and a few swims. Sorry no pictures.

But here are a few images of Peahi ( JAWS) last week.

I will be back soon with more.

Aloha

Big SURF Tuesday

2009-12-08T22:21:00.000-08:00

Eddie Aikau Invitational dec 8 2009, Kelly Slater after one of the rides of the day.

A perfect work day. Dagmar and I had 2 stand up sessions, we checked out Jaws with Jeff's family and the kids and we still worked from 9 to 14:00, a perfect work day on Maui. Now I have to admit, it's not always like that. But you can always squeeze in a small session on the water somewhere when it's good. And it was good!

Here's some of the action of today.

First, Stand up Session at Kanaha this morning

Jaws was still breaking on Maui, 40 feet waves around midday and around 25 feet when we got there. Dagmar took some pics.

On Oahu, the Eddie Aikau was on. in The last 25 years, this big wave event only took place 7 times. They had a 50 foot waves at Waimea. I just saw some footage on Television. The 25 bravest of the bravest were in this competition.

Wiped out, Mark Healey

Traffic on Oahu was crazy

Jaws breaking big time 40-50 feet

2009-12-07T20:44:00.000-08:00

Since days, everyone is watching the weather and swell forecasts. A deep, double low pressure system was heading our way. It could be the swell of the century.

Since I don't own a jet ski and my tow partner is working on his ski, I had to go and see jaws for my self by other means. SUP

6:30 I arrive at Maliko, I can't believe it's closing out. I have never seen Maliko closing out. Even in huge swells you can still go out there. Luckily it was only in the sets. So I get me stand up board and wait for a good time to go out.

At 7:30, After a 45 minute paddle I arrive at Peahi ( Jaws). I almost passed it, because I had to be far out at sea not be caught by a freak wave breaking on the rocks and with so much spray in the air you could hardly see the coastline.

It's already full with jet skis. Laird and Dave Kalama and some are towing in but most are just checking out what it looks like. It's a very westerly swell which makes Jaws a little more tricky.

After an hour there are about 30 ski 5 boats and 4 helicopter above our heads.

After a couple of hours it's time to head back, the weather is changing and it's time to work. After a quick paddle back I enter Maliko again without getting washed. Here are some pics and a little go pro video. The video is done with the wide angle camera which doesn't do good to the size of the waves but it gives a nice impression.

So yes it was big but not the swell of the century that one still has to come. Maybe tomorrow, the Eddie Aikau is on for tomorrow on Oahu and

the swell is going to peak to night so it could be even bigger tomorrow.

Here are some shots from the water (SUP).

For really nice shots from the cliff check this site from a friend of mine,Anita Harris, Anitas latest Post

Womens Stand Up Event January 9th 2010

2009-12-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

A free women SUP event organized by Suzie Cooney. My wife Dagmar and many other women from all over Maui will join this great event. You can even win a Starboard stand up board. We will be there with our boards and paddles to try out.
Place: Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea Beach
Time: January 9th from 8am to 2pm
Check out her site: www.standuppaddlingfitness.com

SUPer day and Hookipa heaven

2009-11-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

Woke up early today to do a Stand up session with Hizkia before work.

We checked out Kuau and Kanaha Kai and decided that Kanaha Kai looked to small and windy and Kuau kind a big so I decided for Kuau where only a few tow-ins where playing. Hiz took some shots.

Getting out was hard work

But once on the wave very rewarding.

And then here are some shots Hizkia took of Hookipa yesterday. There was definetly some size to it and good action too.

Levi still the king of Hookipa

Keith also a contender of the crown.

Nice aerial off the lip from Hot Sails rider, Andres

Aloha

Time to play

2009-11-22T23:16:00.000-08:00

It's good to be back in Maui. Today we had a classic day in Kuau, if you don't know Kuau, it's just a little down wind from Hookipa. What a day. Good size waves and just enough wind to be out on a 5.0 or 5.3. The waves picked up during the day from logo high to more than mast high. The whole week looks pretty good, so more Stand up and windsurfing action to come.
Yesterday I had a downwind with my good friend Hizkia from Holland. Today I went out with another good friend Gerardo who did amazingly well in the huge waves. Here is a little clip of today.

Look here what is coming this week. Two more big swell on the horizon. Huuaaa!

Aloha

South Africa SURF test (40 boards, 40 sails)

2009-11-13T23:33:00.000-08:00

I know it was very quiet on the blog for the last few weeks.

I was busy testing boards and sails in South Africa for SURF magazine. This 5 week test is the most comprehensive test done in windsurfing. This is already my 15th year as a tester. Time is flying by.

Rigging in Platboom, Cape of good hope

We have been coming here in South Africa for the last 12 years already. Our base is Langebaan where we do all the flat water testing. For waves we have 3 options; Swartriet, 30km from here , Cape point, 200 km from here and Elands bay, 100km from here and famous from the Endless summer movie. If you are prepared to drive you can windsurf a lot but in the last 3 weeks we have already driven 2800 km to find the waves and the wind.

Baboons at the Cape of Good Hope

However we were successful because we had 16 days out of 20 of water time. If we would have stayed in one place you would have 5 days max. This year South Africa is up side down. Most of the time we have had wind from the right and cold and rainy conditions which almost never happens and if only for a day.

Rainy and muddy conditions

For me wind from the right is actually better since I am used to that from Maui, for most of the other testers it was a little adjusting.

This year we test 75 liter wave boards, 85 liter free-wave boards 110 liter slalom boards, 4.7 wave sails, 5.3 power wave sails, 6.0 free move sails, and 8.0 slalom sails.

Only in wave boards we have 18 boards, single fin, twin, triple and quads.

Platboom, always amazingly good

Witsands, this year mostly wind from the right. At our last sessions, I saw a big shark there.

Stephan, test leader and Photographer

Next time I hope to have some action photos. Today we leave for Elands Bay.

Aloha from South Africa

South Side Swell

2009-10-18T10:32:00.000-07:00

The wind is back on the North shore with a small North West swell. But the South side had a late season South swell hiting Maui. La Perouse, beauitful as always had a great display what happens when the swell hits shallow lava bottom there.

Big smackers rolling in La Perouse Bay

My Daughter Soleil enjoying the view.

Surfer record in South Africa + new online Magazine

2009-10-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

Watch this link on the BBC to see a new record attempt to get as many surfers on one wave as possible. And we think that Hookipa is crowded sometimes. It's not official yet but they counted 103 surfers on one the wave for 5 second or longer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8290351.stm

Then below here is an image, we get excited about here in Maui. The swell forcast. The deeper the red, the bigger the swell. Looks like we will get some nice Hookipa time in a couple of days. Although after sailing Hookipa the last 3 days we have no complains about wind and waves. 2 days ago We had some Manta rays in the line up while we were sailing. Off course GP got some great pictures. http://mauisurfreport.blogspot.com/2009/10/manta-rays-at-hookipa.html

This is the new online Windsurfer International Magazine October Issue. Check the link to read the magazine it's free. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/50192322#/50192322/1

Also, We have a new Wave world champion. Josh Angulo just won in Sylt in hard typical German conditions, cold windy and unorganized waves. Very little wave riding lots of jumping.

Aloah from Maui

MAUI is going off & PWA world cup SYLT

2009-09-27T16:41:00.000-07:00

Friday morning Hookipa

This september has been great. Every week another swell comes in and the winds have been good almost the whole month.

The last 3 days stand up paddling in the morning in Hookipa then in the afternoon a windsurf session in Kuau or Hookipa. Maui at it's best.

Here are some early morning SUP pictures

Here is one shot of Phillipe and one of Robby Naish taken by Giampaolo. http://mauisurfreport.blogspot.com/

Robby is still going as strong as he was many years ago.

He has some amazing shots from Hookipa while I busy sailing myself in Kuau just a half a mile down wind. A beautiful day with mast high waves and 4.8 sail.

Also, Hot Sails Maui has 2 team riders competing in the Wolrd cup in SYLT. Diony Giadagnino and Paul Zeper. Paul is a young new rider. He just got the new 2010 Hot Sails BOLT .

http://hot-trips.blogspot.com/

Aloha from Maui, Bart

STARBOARD 2010

2009-09-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

This week I went to Hood River to check out the new 2010 Starboard windsurf & Stand up boards.

After a short flight (5 hrs) to Portland and a short night at a airport hotel, I arrived in Hood River at 6 AM just in time for the dawn patrol stand up paddle on the Columbia River Gorge. USA importer Declan, Ste and Drew from Vancouver Island, Adriano from Argentina and a couple of US starboard dealers all joined the paddle up and down the river.

The whopper, 10'0"*34 is a stand out. What a great board. On a river, in the surf, as a windsurf board or stand up board, this board is a crowd pleaser.

This year is going to be another year of a lot of new stand up models. Starboard comes out with 15 wave and cruise models in 4 different constructions and in the beginning of the year they come out with a full new line of race boards in 12'6 and 14'.

The stand up evolution is going fast. a lot of new shorter boards came out but also board with more width. It going to be an exciting year.

The windsurfing.

In the afternoons we went out to try out the new boards. I want to high light 2 boards. The Atom. A thin 99 liter 'fun'board. You can ride this board remarkably well without foot straps. Off course also with straps. A board not made for ultimate speed or performance but for pleasure. All though the performance is good , it's a joy to ride everything is easy on this board.

Atom

Then the quad. A 4-fin wave board which came instead of the evil twin and the evo line. I was amazed how well this board works. I didn't notice any drag the 4 fins have, it went remarkably well up wind and turns on the spot. This boards needs off course a lot more testing in Maui in some real waves but the preliminary results are very promising.

Quad 76

After the testing, I checked out the DaKine headquarters. A buzzing place full of creative people making the latest designs for DaKine Windsurf, Stand up, Bike, Snowboard.

Back in the days DaKine was small Hawaiian company making foot straps and now it a giant, combining funcionality with Fashion, available all over the world.

Hood River was a joy but it's also good to be back in Maui with the next big swell coming up Friday.

Glenn in Oregon

2009-09-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

Here is a video I got today from Glenn Haslbeck. He is the Hot Sails Maui's main graphic designer and responsible for all the cool sail designs. From Super freaks to Fires. He just had a trip down the Oregon coast. Enjoy the ride & Aloha

The Windsurfer - Oregon Session from Glenn Haslbeck on Vimeo.

Back on Maui, Hookipa full on!

2009-09-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the pictures below, Dagmar took . A happy camper,

A couple of hours after I landed back from the Netherlands, I was in the water enjoying the superb swell in Hookipa. It's always great to be back on Maui. 4.8 the 74 Evil Twin what a combo. looking forward to the new quads from Starboard.

Every body came out of their summer sleep and was in the water. What a great start of the coming winter months. This El nino year promises to be a very swelly year indeed.

Aloha from Maui

11-city tour

2009-09-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

After 5 days and 27 hours and 32 minutes of paddeling and a 4th place overall, my 11-city tour was over.
This was one of the best races I have ever been. The organization, the support, the competitors and the sceneary was amazing. 5 days of paddling, eating sleeping, eating, paddling....
We had to eat incredible amounts of food to keep our body fueled up for the next day. Our Maui chef with his 2 kitchen angels did a great job in the kitchen. The weather this week was stormy, rainy and every now and then a little sunshine which made it a real challange to fight the up-wind stretches. I am working on a little video of this race. Here is a preview with some pictures.
The start in Leeuwarden.

Stormy conditions made it a tough race with 6-9 hrs of paddling each day.

Up wind battle on the first day

Connor with 14 yrs, the youngest

Zane always in good spirit and a joy to have on board.

The Dutch scenery

Every day a we had a battle going on. Mostly Byron (USA), Xavier (SP),Eric (FR) and I where battling for the first four places.

Rough weather almost every day.

Going for second place on day four.

On board the 'Zuiderzon' our home for 6 days.

After every race we had a massage which got us in shape for the next day.

The end Results after 5 days
1. Byron Kurt 26:44:19 --- 2. Xavier Masdevall Garçon 27:12:30 --- 3. Eric Terrien 27:13:16 --- 4. Bart de Zwart 27:32:33 --- 5. Mark Raaphorst 28:23:40 --- 6. Erwin Janssen 29:08:49 --- 7. John Hibbard 30:27:01 --- 8. Zane Schweitzer 30:46:56 --- 9. Gerhard van Geest 30:48:41 --- 10. Paul Schuitema 31:49:37 --- 11. Conner Baxter 32:45:13 --- 12. Martijn van Deth 33:53:40 --- 13. Anne-Marie Reichman 34:12:05 --- 14. Donna Badome-Raaphorst 34:33:57 --- 15. Patrick Smits 19:30:29

Thanks Annemarie, Dan, Toos (Annemaries mom) and the CIOS crew for this awesome event.
2 more days and it's time to go home to Maui to see my wife and daughter.

Aloha from the Netherlands

Stand Up Race in the Netherlands- 11 city tour 220KM

2009-09-02T11:44:00.000-07:00

Two days in this amazing 5 day- 220km race, everybody is sore and tired. But it's all worth it. Today was almost a repeat of yesterday. Byron Kurt (USA) took the lead form the start. Xavier from Spain, Eric from France and I followed at 2 minutes for hours until the 15 minute break in Hindeloopen. The landscapes are incredible. Yesterday we battled the wind the whole day for 7 hours. Today we paddled against the wind the first half and then we turned North and had the wind in the back all the way to the finish. Sorry I can not upload any pictures from the boat where we stay on during this race but the official website has plenty. http://www.supfryslan.nl/
All the racers sleep onboard an tradional dutch 'platbodem' ship. This makes a perfect place to talk story, have dinner and put all the boards.
So after 2 days my ranking is 4th about 10 min behind 3rd. Still a lot of hard work in the next 3 days and 140 KM.
De groeten from the Netherlands, Bart

Business as usual and SUP

2009-08-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

The wind is back to full strength. In Kanaha, Hookipa and Spreck it was business as usual. Sail sizes 4.2 to 5.0. Everybody happy. Both remainders of the recent hurricanes turned out to be little 2 day squals.

I did a little downwinder today to get ready for the 11-city tour, a 220km race through the canals in the Netherlands. September 1-5. http://www.synso.nl/sup/?page=home. Annemarie Reichman organized this race ( see picture below). I will updating the blog every day during the race.

Below here is Maui Margie Warmuth, always good for a smile , a little help and support to anybody in Kanaha beach park. Thanks Margie

Starboard just came out with their latest models. The quad. 4 Fin boards, what I have seen so far they are pretty smooth. Even shorter turns, more surfstyle feel, and still great performance. I can't wait to try them myself and I will let you know as soon as I did.

Aloha from Maui.

Hurricane Felicia

2009-08-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

The wind has been very, very good the last months. It was almost going to be to good because hurricane Felicia was coming. Luckily the Hurricane is downgraded to a tropical storm and maybe even a tropical depression which means the wind will be almost like any other day this month. A real hurricane hit on Maui is very unlikely. The records show no data of a hit the last 50 years, but only 15 years ago there was a hit on Kauai.

The image below is today's. You can see the amount of moisture which is going to hit us. But the tropical High to the North, remains strong so it will only be short disturbance before the trade will be blowing like they did all this month. Happy Sailing

PWA Canary Islands

2009-07-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

While we have a breezy summer here on Maui with consistent winds and some summer south swell. The PWA tour was making a stop in Pozo, Canary Islands.

It has been a while but Hot Sails Maui has a team rider in pro-racing again. Diony Guadagnino competed in Wave and Slalom and made a success full comeback in pro windsurfing. Slalom 15th place, wave 17th place.

Philip Koster took the overall title in wave.

Take a look at his last explosive heat.

Saturday KANAHA KAI SALE

2009-07-02T01:31:00.000-07:00

This saturday, the Kanaha Kai 4th of July SALE, from 9:00-6:00

Pass by for snacks and drinks 13:00-18:00

Aloha

The new boards are there!

2009-06-29T00:16:00.000-07:00

The new Starboards came in yesterday and we have been busy unpacking, mounting straps and fins ever since. One of our youngest members Dax couldn't wait and rigged 1.2 .

New Kodes, still dry.

Next time more action with the new boards. The trades continue to blow. Sail sizes 4.8-5.3.

The last days we also had a new South swell.

I tried out the starboard 9'8" Stand up. Not knowing much about the board , I was pleasantly surprised. It turns on a silver plate and still paddles fast enough to catch any wave.
Aloha

New Sails & Boards in Kanaha Kai

2009-06-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

All the new Hot Sails Maui came in and are ready to go on the water The latest Superfreaks, Fires, Smacks and DDs.
Friday we have all the new Starboards coming in. Kodes, Evos, Evil Twin, Futuras.

The last 3 weeks have been windy as usual in Maui. Most days 4.3-4.7 sails on the water combined with the swell we had this week it's Maui at it's summer best.
I have been out of windsurfing the last 2 weeks due to a little accident I had while doing a Willy Skipper in Sprecks. The foot is still a little sore. No windsurfing for me for another 2 weeks.
But I do have a little SUP down winder video this time, which I have been doing a lot recently. Getting ready for the upcoming races.

Here you can see why a down winder is so much fun. It's a good exercise on the water which involves a lot of technique, endurance and surfing.
So enjoy the video and see you on the water.
Aloha from Maui

The video of SUP around Maui

2009-05-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

Map of the paddles course and 'camp sites'

Here is a little video made with the GO Pro camera.

Special Mahalo (thanks) to DAKINE and Starboard and all the nice comments from everybody all over the country.

Aloha from Maui

Solo SUP around Maui, I Made it!

2009-05-30T22:34:00.000-07:00

Here is small up date, tomorrow more with GoPro video and photos

It was hard but it was beautiful. This morning at 11.00 I came into Kanaha Beach Park, the place were I started 3 days and 2 hours and 40 minutes before (38 hrs and 25min of paddling). Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words.

Arrival in Kanaha
Yesterday I started off in Kaupo, after a long, more than 12 hours, paddle the day before from Launiopoko.

Lonely at sea

That day I just had to use the light or no wind I had. On trade wind days this part can break you.

The Caves between La Perouse and Kaupo

I was lucky and had most of the day a 4 knots from the back until it finally died totally. Just before dark I could make my small camp, basically a 3/4 sleeping mat , a blanket and a small mosquito net.

Very tired after a long 12 hr paddle.

Anyway, back to yesterday, the best and worst day in one. The worst because after it started out with no wind, it turned strong against me. 20 knots head wind is not funny on a stand up board. Luckily it was only really strong for a few miles than it calmed down to 10, still hard work all the way to Hana, where I had some food and lot's to drink. You can see, this was the bad part. The good part came after, when the wind became light from the side and I saw what I call the big four. Turtles, whales, sharks and dolphins.

2 Whales close to Nahiku

All between Hana and Ke'anea where Dagmar and Soleil waited for me. We made camp in Honomanu Bay. Today was the easiest of all days. a five hours paddle from Honomanu to Kanaha with nice trades from the back.

First day North Shore

And yes, Giampaolo, it was choppy and bouncy, but on this trip I had worse and I loved the trade winds, so I could finally glide the board. I used a starboard 12'2, 26 3/4 wide. Which is tippy but has a fast rocker for it's size.

In Kanaha my wife, Dagmar and daughter and Soleil were there together with Dennis and Rob. I got a nice trophy and 2 leis and felt deeply satisfied to accomplish this trip.

So why does one do this.
I take pleasure in doing something hard. It makes you humble and after it, you appreciate the normal things in life so much more, which most of us take for granted.
It is by far the best way to see Maui and you come to places others can not come to.
My way of saying 'Thank you' to Hawaiians who let us live and play here.
The stats:
Total time: 75 hrs and 20 min
Paddle time: 38 hrs 25 min
130 miles / 208 km
Board: starboard 12'2"

Paddle: Powerex, Sean Ordonez. I love this paddle, light stiff and good balance.

Gear: Dakine Lycra leash and camelbag. Perfect outfit. Specially the lycra which I wore for 38 hrs, mostly wet never started the chafe.
Equipment: 3 water bags, drybag, GPS, epirb, emergency kit, flares, lights, sleeping mat, blanket, mosquito net, dry fruit , bars, maps, life vest, GoPro video camera, and photo camera, dry T-shirt and extra short

Bart on his SUP around Maui, May 29 2009

2009-05-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

11am, Bart just called that he made it all the way to Hana. Yesterday he had a very tough 12.5 h paddle to get all the way from the beach close to Olowalu across the Kihei Bay to Kaupo. Friends of mine told me yesterday that close to the Kaupo shores a whale carcass was driften in the water, surrounded by hundreds of sharks and MahiMahi (dolphin fish or Dorado). Several fishing boats were out there to make the catch of the day. So I was really worried. Luckily I had the change to tell him yesterday when he called. But he hasn't seen it while he paddled by. He is doing good and on his way towards Ke'Anae now. When the wind won't turn against him, he can make it into Kanaha with lots of strong paddling by tomorrow. Cross your fingers, wish him luck, Dagmar

Bart on his SUP around Maui, May 28 2009

2009-05-28T21:17:00.000-07:00

Bart left this morning very early from a beach close to Oluwalu towards South Maui. Around 10am, after crossing the big bay of Kihei, he reached the beach of Maui Prince Hotel for a quick stop to give me a call, get some fresh water and eat something. Then he continued right away towards La Perousse Bay. Tomorrow will be another tough day, as he will try to get as close to Hana as possible, where Soleil and I gone meet him, bring him some food, fresh water.... I will try to update the blog before I leave from Haiku towards Hana, if I have some news. Thank you very much to all our friends for their continued support. Have a good night, Dagmar

Tough first day

2009-05-27T23:24:00.001-07:00

After looking at the forecast I decided to start in Kanaha where Dagmar, Marit and Dennis said goodbye. The first 4 hours I had very light head wind and lots of chop which made it a hard sptart. But I still good progress. Saw 2 different packs of dolphins, lots of turtles and other fish. In launiopoko my friend Rob brought me some food which tasted very good after more than 9 hrs of paddling. Now I made camp on the south side, I hear the waves slamming on the rocks. Time to sleep, it will be a long day tomorrow. Ps thanks to my lovely wife, Dagmar, who always supports my crazy ideas. Even if I come up with those 2 days before. Aloha from south Maui.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

SUP around Maui, May 27 2009, 5pm

2009-05-27T21:10:00.000-07:00

Bart just called, that he made it all the way to Lahaina. He is trying to publish a short text through his blackberry tonight.

Bart on his SUP around Maui, May 27 2009, 4pm

2009-05-27T20:53:00.000-07:00

Time to get ready. I (Dagmar, Bart's wife) dropped him off at 8am at Kanaha Beach Park. Bart was all ready to go. Super excited about that challenging trip: Stand Up paddling around Maui.

Last smile into the camera. Ready to go!!!

Last check-up.

See you here in some days. Hopefully not later then Saturday evening.

Bart paddling towards the West Maui Mountains. The wind came from the other side this morning, Kona Winds, but very light and was supposed to change during the day. What it luckily did.

Good luck we all hope you will make it!!!!!

Preparations to paddle around Maui

2009-05-27T01:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will try to paddle around Maui on a stand up paddle board. That's about 220 km and will take between 3 and 5 days. Very much depending on the wind. I have got all the necessary with me to camp out on the beaches along the coast. I will use a Starboard 12'2".
The winds are light and not necessarily from one direction. Today we suddenly had kona winds ( south wind) which doesn't happen often this time of the year. So I have to decide which way I should go in the morning, clock wise or the other way.

I will try to update the blog during this trip with this fancy blueberry phone I just got. Talking about just the basics. Dagmar will manage life at home and in the shop.

Aloha from Maui

OLUKAI Stand up Race, The Movie

2009-05-21T00:03:00.000-07:00

Here is a little movie of the Olukai Race.
The LOW close to the island is still blocking the wind. But we had a nice swell the last couple of days. Plenty of water action, stand up paddling, surfing... Enjoy the show.
Aloha

Stand Up paddle race Olukai

2009-05-18T00:12:00.000-07:00

Today we had the Olukai, stand up paddle race from Maliko to Kanaha.

Stand up paddle surfing became big in a short time. Downwinders, flatwater, waves, it's a hype and it's good... 5 Years ago only a hand full did it in Maui. Now thousands.

In the Olukai were about a 120 participants.

Because of the lack of wind it was a hard race.

Here some pictures of the event.

Hawaii chant at the opening ceremony

The women in my life and winning 'best support crew '

Mark Raaphorst 2nd place overall, fast as ever on his F18

Martijn and I 3rd and 2nd in our division

Dave Kalama 1st place overall, the man to beat

Family time in Sprecks

2009-05-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

This week the wind picked up again and we had some family time in Sprecks.

My Daughter likes to get out on the board with me. We started together when she was 4 years old. At 5 years, she was planing and jibing but lately it gets harder now she is getting taller and older (10). But with her own HOT Sails micro fire 2.1 she starts to sail by her self now.

Tomorrow is the Olukai Stand up race from Maliko to Kanaha. so stay tuned for some action.

Always water action on Maui

2009-05-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

Very little wind here in Maui, this week. But that doesn't mean, we aren't having fun.
A nice big swell came in and my friend Martijn and I were on the water at 6:30 this morning with our Starboard 10'5" stand up's, great boards, they work in any condition. On of my better days on the SUP this year. Wooehaa.
It was big enough for a few unlucky ones who broke their board or their leash.
Later in the day even the wind picked up for a few hours. It looks like the normal trade winds are coming back later in the week. Aloha

SuperFreak Meeting

2009-04-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

A glorious day in Kanaha, Maui

Hot Sails organized a Superfreak meeting. a colorful display of many different superfreaks. In all, more than 700 different designs and colors exists now. Although there was only a little bit of wind (8knots) , still there were more than 25 superfreak sailors on the water.

Most sailors were on stand up boards, but also beginner boards, tandems and a new serenity showed up. We had a great time sailing the waves on the reefs in Kanaha. Diony showed what he can do in light winds on a AHD sealion.

Winds are light at the moment. Even Kihei didn't work the last 2 days. But the swell keeps rolling in. Lot's of people are on the stand up boards and Hookipa was packed with the short boarders. Both south and north shore have plenty of waves the next days.

On Maui there is always something going on in the water.

Aloha from Maui, Bart

Diony Guadagnino in Maui

2009-04-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

Diony is back in town (Maui). Always good for a lot of smiles and plenty of radical action in Hookipa.

This week all the Hot Sails Maui distributors from all over the world, come to Maui to check out the new gear which will be in the shops in 2010.

Diony will be training slalom with his friend Juan Marina also from Venezuela. Both will be competing in the PWA slalom this year.

We are getting ready for this season, next month we will be getting in our new equipment, brand new Hot Sails and Starboards.

The whole Kanaha Kai staff and Diony and Juan helped us paint the shop this week.

I will keep you updated with all the new goodies we will see this week from Hot Sails, and may be some seek peeks for the 2010 sails.

I love Hookipa on days like this

2009-04-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

This little video is for my friend Martijn back in Holland who is coming to Maui. Just a little reminder what it's all about. This video is last weeks, as good as it gets. It was busy, 2 helicopters in the air for the different photos shoots going on this time of the year, lot's of people on the water. But the conditions were perfect. Mast high and peeling waves, 4.7 sail. Aloha!

Hookipa, Maui from Bart de Zwart on Vimeo.

Stand up paddle in disney world

2009-04-17T00:35:00.000-07:00

Look at what Clay feeter ( Stand up Journal) sent today.

Stand up is slowly making it's way to the general public. Here is a shot of a stand up surfer in the wave basin in Disney world.

Bjorn Dunkerbeck on his new sails

2009-04-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

When I was checking out the Butterfly effect in Sprecks, I shot a few pics of Bjorn on his new Severne sails. Fast as always and very eager to move up in the rankings.

It will be an interesting year in the PWA racing circuit. Lot's of sponsors changes, new riders, new boards and always faster sails. Hot Sails will be entering the PWA slalom with Diony Guadagnino on the new GPS (Gran Prix Speed) sails.

The Butterfly effect

2009-04-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

Juliana & Tatiana organized the third annual butterfly effect.

An amazing event which included, kiting, windsurfing and Stand up paddling.

More than 100 participants came to this strictly women event. And if you invite the women, the men will come too.

At 1000 every body met at Hookipa, the wind started blowing the sun came out and the aloha spirit was all around.

At 1100 Every body entered the water and sailed, kited and paddled away, first toward sprecks and then to Kanaha.

Da Kine and Hot Sails were the main sponsors, together with Juliana and Tatiana they made sure this was an unforgettable and very succesfull event.

Watch below the more pictures in the slide show. In the next couple of days I will add a little video.

Pictures by Dagmar & Bart de Zwart

Windy windy Maui

2009-04-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Oh boy is it windy lately here on Maui. The last couple of days everybody is on 3.7 and 4.0's. Nico, Glen and I had a fun day at Sprecks. Here is the video we made with one head camera and one boom mounted Go Pro camera.
There is a new swell on the horizon and the wind is slowing down a little to normal 4.7 levels.

Aloha from Maui

Stand Up in Kuau

2009-03-29T23:41:00.000-07:00

The last week we had plenty of wind. Every day more than we could wish for. Although I was out on the water every other day. I don't have anything to show for. Mostly the waves were small. All the pros are in town, so it's a little more crowded in Hookipa. But there are plenty of other less crowded places to windsurf.

I do still have a few nice Stand up paddle pictures from a week ago when I was out in Kuau. Watch the first picture with the whale in the back. This year there were a lot of whales again visiting Maui. It looks like it's going to be another windy week. Aloha from Maui

SUP Windsurfing in Kanaha

2009-03-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the little video, windsurfing the Starboard SUP in the massive swell in Kanaha. The wind 2-10 knots, off shore. It was very hard to get on the fast and hollow waves, in the light winds. So I didn't go out long, no body else was there and the off shore winds wouldn't make it any easier if I would break anything. But it was sure nice to get wet.

Aloha from Maui

Maui Winter

2009-03-16T01:00:00.000-07:00

We had some rough weather the last couple of weeks. The last days we had Kona winds and a short period but very big swell. Here are some pics of the last days. One f the days I managed to get out on a Stand up and went out windsurfing in Kanaha. I will try to upload the video later.

Aloha from Maui

Stand up session

2009-03-12T17:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a nice afternoon session in Kuau.

The Sun going down, the waves rolling in , all good. I used the 10'5" and had theGo Pro camera on the paddle. An interesting angle. This was just the first try. Today the winds turned North and a low pressure is passing by in the next couple of days. But there is also a big swell forcasted so lot's to get excited about. Check this little video out.

Aloha from Maui

MTB in Makawao, Maui, Forest

2009-03-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a little shot from the Ride we do every thursday evening in the Makawao forest. We start at light, ride up and do the down hill in the dark with light.

Aloha

New developments 1986 to 2010

2009-03-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a Hot Sails Maui sail from 1986.

Since then a lot has been done in the sail development. The last months, Jeff & Tom have been developing a new sail. It's an exciting new project of which I just saw the first prototype. It looked very promising which will take the development to a whole new direction.

Aloha from Maui

Kanaha winter day

2009-03-05T16:05:00.000-08:00

The wind is there, the waves are there but it looks like a winter day...on Maui.

It has been cloudy and the weather is behaving strangely lately. But on the other hand we could sail every day, sail sizes 4.7 to 5.3. So we are happy as a hypo.

Here is the latest video from yesterday. 73 liter board with a 5.0 Hot Sails Fire. This with the Go Pro camera mounted all the way on the back of the boom. Tomorrow I will have some MTBiking footage on here.

Aloha from Maui,

Bart

The perfect end of a day

2009-02-24T23:05:00.000-08:00

This morning already the waves looked perfect. Just after work the wind had picked up enough to go out. Most were sailing in Kanaha Beach park but on days like this Kuau is very good. Juan joined me. I rigged a Hot Sails Fire 5.3, this time with a carbon boom, it's amazing how much stiffer a carbon boom is and stronger too if you get washed. Kuau looked beautiful, just enough wind to get out and big sets rolling in. There were only 4 of us out, so we could pick any wave we liked and had it all to ourselves.
Here a little video I made with the Go pro wide angle. An amazing little machine which pops out good footage.
This whole weeks looks good with wind and waves.

Aloha from Maui

Maui Action

2009-02-23T09:58:00.000-08:00

This week I will show you some other action on Maui. The trades are light the next 2 days, after which they will be returning full power.
The first clip is from Tammo and Hessel going for a ride on the Starboard Gemini, a tandem. As you will see, double the fun. We have this board in our rental fleet.
Then I went for a ride on the bike, The road to Hana is regarded as one of the most scenic drives in America and for sure a beautiful ride through tropical Maui with plenty of waterfalls and tropical vegetation . A rewarding bike ride with all the climbs and down hills. A good 3 hrs to go from Twin falls to Hana and back.

Aloha from Maui

Another day in Paradise

2009-02-18T23:09:00.000-08:00

I finally made it out on the water by 16:00 when the wind was just about to die because of some disturbance in the air. Luckily I had my stand up 10'5" in the back of the truck. It wasn't huge but I sure did enjoy it.
The wind on Maui is a little lighter for a couple of days and picks back up in a day or 2 with a nice new swell after the weekend. 12 feet and 17 sec is a perfect mast high wave. Today there is an other little movie with the SUP. In next few days I will bring some other exciting sports we do here on the island.

For now Aloha

Windy days in Maui

2009-02-16T10:47:00.000-08:00

This week. We had and still have consistent trade winds with a medium size wave. Every day 4.2 to 4.7. I haven't been out much which hurts because the conditions are great. We have been working and organizing the shop. Ordering new equipment. New Sails, booms, mast and boards. We will feature Starboard with Hot Sails this year. I ordered a evil twin 74 for my self because I know the potential on the wave of this board. The Picture above is from yesterday. Glen from Hot Sails with a nice cut back. Aloha

Picture to the movie

2009-02-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

Here is the picture to the movie. It was taken during the same wave.

It was an epic weekend again. Friday stand up sailing in Kuau. Saterday a tow in session with Juan and Sunday a late afernoon stop in Hookipa where with a little gusty winds. I had a great time with medium-you-can try anything-waves.

Stand up windsurf session, Kuau

2009-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

This is why I love Maui. It looked small in Kanaha, so I went to Kuau where...

It looked really big. There were 4 jet skies out towing in. But there was also a little breeze. So I rigged up the 5.3 and took the Starboard stand up board 10'5"

It was a little tricky to get out between the sets which where 1 and a 1/2 mast high. But the rides where amazing. Twice I shared the wave with the tow-in-surfers.

Giampaolo was right, I should have put the Gopro camera on the front of the boom so you see the wave which you are riding. So next better action. But I had to share this video.

Aloha

Maui back in the trades

2009-01-28T00:09:00.000-08:00

Maui had a perfect week with strong trades and a good swell. Everybody was out again in Kanaha, Kuau and Hookipa. Here are 2 pictures made by Giampaolo Cammarota.

We (Kanaha Kai Maui) are getting ready for the next season. ordering all the new boards and sails.

The next 2 days will be surfing time since the wind is down. But Thursday it's picking up already. With the trades blowing 20 knots. We 'll be back with more action. Aloha

Last year's best pick

2008-09-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome to this blog

2008-09-16T04:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome this blog. This will be a meeting point for all windsurfers, where you'll find the latest news, pics and info on windsurfing in Maui.