November in Maui

When the pineapple express hit Vancouver hard in late November-torrential rains and warm weather from the mid Pacific, it's time for some Maui winds!

Roland Lewis, a realtor buddy and I headed to Maui with our beautiful respective partners, Anne Marie & lovely Lisa in tow for a Hawaiian vacation.

I was looking forward to riding some real waves on my the Wainman 6'1'surfboard which I had picked up earlier in the fall from Chris at Kite Naked and I wasn't disappointed. While we were there we made the obligatory pilgrimage to Jaws and it was going off! very impressive to see firsthand.

Seems like when its warm and rainy here in Vancouver the weather is perfect for trade winds and waves in Maui! (take note-winks).

We pretty much kited every day on 9m or smaller and rode surfboards the whole time! Yea baby!
As usual the Smoke ruled and so did the Gypsy 6.5! (Awesome kites, give em a demo.)
Woo hooo- perfect timing for this trip!

see pics and drop me a note on the blog about your winter vacation!

the Fall storms arrive with a vengeance

All the hardcore Vancouver kitecrew had been hitting the beaches around here (Boundary Bay, Bellingham Bay) pretty good for the last couple weeks of stormy November southeasters and a couple southwesters at Ambleside-

...we've been getting hit every day or two with wave after wave of southeasters and then a southwest on the other side of every front as the weather deteriorates into fall & winter here.

I've been getting out at Boundary Bay every few days when I can get away from work.
Roland & I even found a secret spot with a left hand wave nearby!

The Smoke continues to amaze!
Great size, perfect for the lulls and sails overpowered very very comfortably.

The southwest direction is perfect for Ambleside right near the Lions gate bridge. This is an expert's spot because if you breakdown here on the wrong tide you are going under the bridge into a shipping channel- hope that never happens to anyone, as it will probably shut down kiting here. Crosses fingers.

A photographer friend  came along and took some photos, thanx Dale!