Well we arrived on Maui yesterday, sitting in the rental car at the airport wondering what to do first and Randy (Admin) from the Zone rings my mobile, "you guys up for a down-winder in an hour" - does the Pope wear a frock? Forget the hostel and everything else, Dave borrowed a 14' Bill Foote Maliko from Pono Bill and Randy bought around my F14 and my paddle.
Did the car shuffle and off we went, me, Dave, Pono Bill, Randy and his wife Chan and Chris. Randy and Chris in OC1's so they left us for dead and what a blast. Wind was about 25 knots, pretty much perfect angle and the 10 mile south side run was over in no time, heaps and heaps of linked runners, like fools paradise, I was waiting at one stage and with no paddling at all could still catch and surf runners. Dave declared it was like a whole different sport and I could hear him laughing to himself at the sheer fun of it all.
And today, well just like clockwork it was on again, a little more off shore but with the rudder on the F14 absolutely still a blast, a little harder for Dave but just awesome...and tomorrow is another day!
Good one Jonathon. Glad to hear you made it over there already. Please keep us updated of further adventures, at my desk right now and need to live vicariously.
Cheers
Lobes
Hey Jonathon,
looking forward to all the pics you'll be posting
,
when you get a chance can you give a bit of a description of the race Dave and yourself are competing in and are there any other Aussies you know of doing the same event,
cheers and goodluck
.
Thanks for the update Jonathan.. but please don't rub it in to much.. 
..Pls keep the updates coming.
Say hi to Bill (and the other guys) for me.
I forgot to ask you.. Another pair of those Maui Ripper walk shorts in 34 would be great.. I live in the ones you got me last time.. (the ones in my Javelin vid)
Only if you can get another colour.. any colour will do.. (don't worry if you can't)
What a shame your Starboard SurfRace board is sitting at your place for the SHQ race this weekend.. I'm sure there's a lot of people that'd love to use it.. 
DJ
Not fair! Sounds like you're having a blast.
Don't forget to suss the vacuum bags.
Just about to head down to Flinders and was amped in anticipation. Now after reading your post, I'm going to have to surf with my eyes closed, pretending it's 10 degrees warmer than it actually is [ that's just the air temp, how about the water?] and there's palm trees swaying around in the breeze on the beach.
Not sure I can do it.
Yes, like the rest of the crew, very envious of your trip. Looking forward to seeing your updates.
Hmmm. grass skirt I can manage. As for the lay? It might be alittle brutal.
I'd go for a lei, though.
Conditions for Flinders look spot on. Hope to see you down there.
I'm sure Rea would trade a St Kilda shuffle for a Flinders flutter.
We'll talk further about that K15.
I know where Jonathan's SurfRace should be sitting.
And I need to pop over there to get some stuff......fibreglass and stuff
It is very hard to organise things for these races until you are actually there. 
Well done sue finally got one back on Dano have you got your new board or are you borrowing one.
Rob
I am trying to borrow one Piros. I have looked at every avenue I know of. Asked everyone I know. I even contemplated shipping my new DC17' over but hit a dead end on that one too. I've been trying to get a board for months now.
May have a Naish 17' ...may have ... or an F16 with goofy foot steering ? I just emailed my partner who is from Kauai and told her to enquire if the steering can be changed over for us for the day ?? We'll get there...
Hey Sue,
Jonathan is a resourceful type of guy,for sure he'll get something sorted [sorry to put the pressure on mate],
looks like a busy month of races ahead,
all the best,
Camo.
Thanks Camo...anyway this is not my "Excellent Adventure"....it's Jonathan and Dave's so I'll get out of here.
Looking forward to some pics from the boys... 
Did a south shore downwinder with Dave and Jonathan Sunday. Conditions were good, we all had a blast.
I've met Jonathan before, but not Dave. We didn't have time to chat and I probably won't see them again this trip. Just before we launched, I asked Jonathan about Dave's background - he looks like a real athlete. He mentioned that Dave has done some competitions in rowing, and even won a world championship.
If someone has some more info I'd be very interested. Maybe post a pic of the type of boat they row or a link. I'm assuming it's got something to do with Australian lifegaurds. When I shook Dave's hand it felt like he has done some serious work with those mitts.
Great guys. They are going to do well on Saturday.
Hey all, Dave here on Jonathans computer. Yes Downwinder, the moliko run is a blast, we managed 2 runs today. I think that 3 might do my head in as you have to concentrate so much. We had the unstoppable Pono Bill with us today , or should I say he had us. What a machine , just keeps going and going. The swell coming through today was up to 15 foot and this along with some wild wind and various wave/ swell directions make the run chalenging exciting and very fun. You never forget that you are out in the open ocean.
I have been taking photos but have been unable to get them from the camera to the computer. Will work it out and post them soon.
The Aloha spirit is alive and well and we have been looked after SO well by everyone. And everyone asks after DJ. It is like he is some long lost member of the Maui family.
Anyway with 7 days and 9 downwinders done I think we are well and truly ready for the Maui/ Molokai race on Saturday. Just a few more runs , A massage and a few more beers and I think we are set to go.
Paddle on. Dave
Hi Larry, forgot to add this. Had a great south side paddle with you guys the other day.
Here is a link with some action of my old sport of surf boat rowing. the boats are 26 foot long and as you can see on the video the can be a challenge to keep going in the direction you want but very fun
Awesome video.
Must be a great feeling to surf a big boat. My favorite is when the boat is headed out, wave stands it straight up and everyone bails except the guy on the bow.
Best of luck Saturday, have a great time.
Had an excellent day yesterday with Jonathan & Dave in the Maui to Molokai race. Great to see the boys and they really are having a great time over here. We were pretty much together for the first couple of hours and it was great paddle with them and then to cheer them on from the escort boat. We all had so much fun and it was good to have some other Aussie around to cheer for . Here are some pics from our day. So much fun !!
The three of us almost an hour into the race..
My partner Michelle and another great friend from California on OC1 who paddled with us. Molokai in the background.
Dave (left) and Jonathan (right) about 1.5 hrs into it.
My friend from home on the OC1...just to show you the conditions mid race. We started near the left hand point in the background.
Molokai in the background...about 2 hours to go.
Jonothan & Dave (right) with Hawaiian friends Randy (Stand Up Zone) and his wife Chantelle. Smiles all round !!
Thanks for the update and pictures Sue.. Looks like it was a great event with good conditions.. Congrats Dave for finishing first in the rudderless SUP class.
DJ
Some more pics...
Dave and me....about an hour into it.
My partner Michelle with Dave in background.
