Have you ever wanted to try windsurfing?

Well, if you’re thinking about coming to Maui, then you should know that this is the premiere windsurfing spot in the world. You may have heard of “Hookipa” or the “north shore of Maui” and yes, it is windy enough to windsurf there for probably around 300 days a year if not more.

The north shore has conditions fit for every skill level, from first-timers to the expert. Beginners typically will go out at Kanaha Beach Park at the very last parking lot, because of the more sheltered conditions in the bay. Most all of the windsurf schools will start you off there.

Interestingly enough, just outside of the Kanaha beginners spot is Spartan reef, otherwise known as “Uppers.” In the autumn, winter and spring seasons, this spot (along with “lowers” which is just down wind) can have some amazing waves, especially when the rest of the coast towards Hookipa is “closed out” (that means, basically unridable).

This video was taken by my friend Sven on a nice day out at Spartans. You can see him doing forward loops and jumping all over the place. On the very last shot, however, he breaks his mast, and you’ll hear him voice his displeasure (if you understand German, you’ll know what he’s saying).

The bummer is, if you break down at uppers, IT’S A LONG SWIM IN (2 hours). I recently broke down out there when I broke my mast on a forward loop. Luckily, the lifeguard gave me a tow with his jetski. That saved me a lot of time and exhaustion.

The ocean is definitely to be respected at all times. When in doubt, do not attempt to go out.

I recommend taking lessons with a pro and also renting locally. There is no reason whatsoever to be lugging your gear to Maui (and pay all that money on extra baggage fees), when you can get the state of the art gear right here.

Shops I Recommend:

Neil Pryde Maui

Email: info@neilprydemaui.com
Toll free: (800) 321-7443
Maui: (808) 877-7443
Location: 400 Hana Highway, Kahului. Maui, Hawaii 96732

Personal Notes:
Top Service, Best Gear in Town.
Tell them “STEPHAN IS MY FRIEND; HE SENT ME” and they will most likely give you a discount.
They have all the information you need on lessons as well.

Maui Windsurf Company

Email: info@mauiwindsurfcompany.com
Toll Free: (800) 872-0999
Phone: (808) 877-4816
Location:
22 Hana Highway
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii 96732

Personal Notes: Next to Neil Pryde, Goya boards and sails are top flight gear. Can’t go wrong with them.

Windsurf Lessons I recommend:

Action Sports Maui

Email fun@actionsportsmaui.com

Phone (808) 871-5857
Mobile (808) 283-7913
Location: Store Address: 415a Dairy Road, Kahului, HI, 96732 USA

Personal Notes: These guys are perfect for beginners with knowledgable and fun staff and great beginner equipment.

Pritchard Brothers Windsurfing

Website: http://www.pritchardwindsurfing.com

Personal Notes: If you want top notch personal instruction, especially if you are intermediate to expert wanting to get out of your rut and to the next level of windsurfing action, Matt Pritchard is the right guy to see. His site even has free windsurf instruction as well. Contact him at his website. Tell him “STEPHAN SENT ME!”

I’ll leave you this week with some insane windsurfing from the pros…

With Kind Regards and Warm Aloha,
Stephan