Ive got a round number birthday coming up this year and wanted to do something special, this windsurf trip to Maui was a total dream, way more than I'd expected, we had tuition every day, luxury accomo right on the beach, windsurf pros hanging out on our beach during Starboards photo shoot, great wine and food, and a small group of people from around the world on the clinic. The experience was total immersion into Maui's windsurf world, Shawna and Matt are very experienced windsurfers and after reading about them for years, it was a blast to meet them and be on their clinic. They are heaps of fun to be with and put a massive amount of energy into the clinic, both on and off the water.
Shawna and Matt were very generous with their time during the clinic, hanging out with us after the day's sailing for drinks and dinners out in Paia, and a couple of nights bbq'ing on the deck watching the sunset and whales breaching. We had a visit to the DaKine outlet (new harnesses for some of us) then to the Quatro board factory, Kauli Seadi walked in while we were there and got to meet him too.
During our clinic week, the Starboard team were doing a photo shoot of new season gear, and we had the whole group sailing off the beach in front of our house. I couldn't believe it, there was was just about every world pro right there for a couple of hours, with a helicopter buziing overhead so close it blew Shawna off her board
The Agent - Vela Windsurf - Karl who runs the business was great, and got me organised to go with car hire, accomo, equipment rental etc
The Accomodation - we stayed in the most amazing house at end of Stable Rd, right at the windsurf area, and launching from our own private beach, and could keep our gear rigged ready to go. The house was huge, big bedrooms and bathrooms, well kitted out kitchen including wine fridge, big deck with a BBQ, garden with hamock, hot tub, equipment storage areas and plenty of car parking behind the house.
The Clinic - it ran for 7 days starting at 10am each morning with video and photos from the previous day, a great way to see what was going wrong or right and I learned heaps from this, as well as from all the coaching we got on the water. Both Shawna and Matt were on the water with us all day, literally sailing in circles around us giving tuition on the spot. They could easily see where each of us needed to improve and focus on to get better and move on to other things. We each got a lot of attention and even though we were spread out over a big area they managed to cover everyone.
The Wind - we arrived in a week following a fortnight of no wind at all, but it turned on for us, a couple of light wind days where I probably learned the most, and then enough wind to be planning on 5.0/5.3's for the rest of the clinic.
The Equipment - all of us rented through Neil Pryde Maui, with JP boards and NP sails, masts and booms, all great quality and current season gear. It was easy to get back to the shop and swap boards and sails if we wanted to, I didn't need to as Gus from NP gave us all an extra sail so we were covered for a wide range of wind. Some of us rented SUPs for a few days as well, great for early morning paddle out to the reef, for some waves and turtle spotting.
Car Hire - we all were booked with Dollar, there were some minor issues of small cars not being available and needing to upgrade, (it was Spring Break and a busy time on Maui) I got a Jeep for no extra cost, so was pretty happy - watch out for the insurance charges for non US citizens though.
Flights - I flew with Hawaiin Airlines, it was great service and food etc, also luggage got checked in through to/from Maui so no transit hassle at all in Honolulu, will defo go with them next time.
The whole trip and experience during the clinic was fantastic, heaps of fun in a windsurf paradise and one I'll remember for ever - Shawna and Matt are great -
if you get the chance to go on one of these clinics, you won't be disappointed!!
There are more photos of the clinic on Shawna's website and Facebook page. Here's a couple more of the week (thanks Shawna and Colleen for the photos )
Thanks for the info. I have been looking at these clinics for a few years now. I am just waiting for the kids to get a bit older so I can leave them with the wife all day while I am out sailing !!
No gybes? Surely there would have been someone floundering in the water you could have used as a gybe marker?
hahahaha, yes there was a lack of human gybe marks for me this time Dale
how are you, haven't seen you at any of the spots for ages? have you been to Sanctuary Point much this year?
Is Maui flat water, or a bit bumpier? Are there any spots you would say are similar around here for water conditions?
It varied quite a lot, some days fairly flat and other days really bumpy, it was full moon in the week I was there so maybe that caused the changing conditions. Not like anywhere else I've sailed in NSW before
The march clinic was at upper kanaha so didn't get to sail at spreaks, there were waves most days though. You'll have a blast on October, better to go at start of our season and be ready for a great summer ahead!