Here are a few happy snaps of Craig Mann and myself with the Gopro taken over the last few days. We were lucky enough to get a three or four days of North-West swell which is rare for August. Breeze has been pretty moderate by Maui standards - using 5.0 or 4.5 most days, with some race gear on standby in case it's a little lighter in the morning.

Can't wait to get home and back to work of course , but in the meantime - back out to the reef!

Hi Mate,

Managed to snare a brief 10 day trip to Maui from the wife!! leave in a week or so.

Did you take your own kit or hire from a store? If so who would you recommend?

I've sent emails to a couple but had nothing back yet??...

Any other tips for a first timer??

Cheers..

Select to expand quote

Hooda said..
Hi Mate,

Managed to snare a brief 10 day trip to Maui from the wife!! leave in a week or so.

Did you take your own kit or hire from a store? If so who would you recommend?

I've sent emails to a couple but had nothing back yet??...

Any other tips for a first timer??

Cheers..

Gday Hooda,

Like you I tried to get in touch with the shops beforehand to book gear etc. Was a bit stressed about not having heard back, but when I got there and went to Hi Tech Maui, turns out they dont really take bookings. They have a stack of gear and just grab whatever you want. Those guys had Mauisails and Quattro, but there are plenty of options to line up with your preferred brand.

Love that last shot of you just hanging! Very unusual!

Select to expand quote

Hooda said..
Hi Mate,

Managed to snare a brief 10 day trip to Maui from the wife!! leave in a week or so.

Did you take your own kit or hire from a store? If so who would you recommend?

I've sent emails to a couple but had nothing back yet??...

Any other tips for a first timer??

Cheers..

There's a dozen or so gear rental places in the space of a few k's near the airport ( and Kihei - a popular sailing spot). Just Pick a brand you feel like using and go to the shop that rents it.
It's a bit like going to the snow, gear places everywhere, it's a windsurfers Mecca, you'll love it

Thanks for the help guys.

It's just frustrating when a few of them offer 20% discounts on pre-paid rentals, but when you can't contact them to pre-pay.....

Is going with one who offers insurance a good idea?

Cheers

Try Hawaiian Island Surf and Sail in Kahului. Book gear from Oz, pay for it and collect on arrival. You can change boards and sails according to the conditions.
They offer the discounts, we got 3 sails, 3 masts, boom, base, ext and board back in 2006 for $600 US for 3 weeks. One of the guys we travelled with scored us a great deal as a repeat booking. Obviously that's a long time ago but if you haggle there are some great deals to be had. Ask some of the guys that have just been, they will be more up to date.

You can negotiate a discount, they're pretty loose when it comes to special deals, and that's not just in the windsurf shops.

last time I was there the Np shop gave me a good discount on the retail rates even extended that to goods in the store.
just tell them you tried to pre book and want the discount or you go elsewhere. In fact I got into the habit of asking for a discount in every shop I visited, and got one in most cases, even the super market. The Americans have all sorts of promos, coupons and discount programs - just ask.

i wouldn't worry about gear insurance, unless you break a board in half ( unlikely) the repairs are reasonable. Take a stick of ding repair for minor bruises.

its handy if you have a premium credit card which covers your collision damage waiver for car rental as this can amount to 25 % of your car rental cost

Gday Hooda,

I just got back from Maui. I rented off Hi Tech. The gear available and the service was great.
You can swap gear from day to day probably even throughout the day if your keen depending on conditions. And if there isn't any wind for a day drop your gear in before 12 and you won't get charged for the day.
They didn't offer insurance but replacement gear for damage would be at wholesale prices and a fair chance your travel insurance would cover any damage.
I am sure most of the other hire shops would be the same.
Go and have some fun.

Cheers PK

Were you guys at the Sydney airport Thursday night? saw someone with windsurfing gear trying to catch a plane back to Perth before it left.

Select to expand quote

choco said..
Were you guys at the Sydney airport Thursday night? saw someone with windsurfing gear trying to catch a plane back to Perth before it left.

That would have been Craig - he missed his connection and had to overnight in Sydney .

Select to expand quote

Hooda said..
Hi Mate,

Managed to snare a brief 10 day trip to Maui from the wife!! leave in a week or so.

Did you take your own kit or hire from a store? If so who would you recommend?

I've sent emails to a couple but had nothing back yet??...

Any other tips for a first timer??

Cheers..

Hey Hooda!

You're a lucky guy - Maui is the best place in the world to have a sail and it's also an incredibly nice place for your missus or kids or any other non-windsurfers. There is heaps of other stuff to do and the wind blows all day so you can still get a great sail in after 4pm if you have been out snorkelling, touring, looking at volcanos etc. all morning.

I leave a bit of kit on the island with a mate and use it when I'm there, but there is really no need to bring your own gear unless you want to sail race stuff, which most people don't. You can easily hire all of the good stuff as many people have mentioned above.

As far as advice, I have the following;

1. Stay on the North shore if possible, as it's a bit of a drive each day from the touristy areas in the South (Kihei / Wailea), or West (Lahaina / Ka'anapali), to the sailing spots near Kahului and Paia, so being close to the action is better. It is far less touristy too.

2. DO NOT bring any dressy clothes. Boardies, thongs and a singlet are perfectly acceptable attire wherever you go, and if you wear anything with a collar you'll look like a tourist. See below for my illustrated guide to packing for Maui.

3. Windguru gives you a reasonable wind forecast but you need to multiply the forecast wind by a factor of 2.5. I don't know why this is, but I am not exaggerating at all. If the forecast is 12-13 knots, you're looking at 4.5 weather. Maui is very windy in summer - the average breeze is around 25-30 knots and it usually peaks in the early afternoon before turing a little more east (cross-off) in the evening. You're not allowed to sail before 11am.

Have a great time mate and post some pics!

Aloha.

Select to expand quote

AUS1111 said..

choco said..
Were you guys at the Sydney airport Thursday night? saw someone with windsurfing gear trying to catch a plane back to Perth before it left.

That would have been Craig - he missed his connection and had to overnight in Sydney .

Oh ****, I saw him in the baggage check in line and the staff were calling for anyone going to Perth to come up to the front of the line so they could get them through faster, obviously not fast enough.He must have been on the same flight as me coming back from Hawaii which was delayed because they forgot to load the catering for the flight lol.

Thanks guys,

Really appreciate the advice, I can't wait.

Only wish I booked for more than 2 weeks.

I can't believe you didn't even take a T shirt AUS111, you must be in good shape!

Got a great rental deal through Kanaha Kai (Starboard & Hot Sails Maui) full carbon 2014 kit with 3 sails was cheaper than all but one other store for regular kit with 2 sails. They have insurance for $8 a day if you want that to.

They got back to me really quick and were really helpful. I'll post feed back when I get back.

Anymore advice or tips....keep it coming

hooda

Go to Charlies in Paia for brekky. Try the eggs benedict and the pancakes, sweet!!
Don't leave anything valuable in your car and get a key cut so you can take it on the water with you.
Sometimes if there is no wind on the North Shore its honking in Kihei. try Maui sunset and Pavillions on Sth Kihei Rd.
Buy lots of windsurf gear.
Try all the different beers.

Select to expand quote

choco said..

AUS1111 said..

choco said..
Were you guys at the Sydney airport Thursday night? saw someone with windsurfing gear trying to catch a plane back to Perth before it left.

That would have been Craig - he missed his connection and had to overnight in Sydney .

Oh ****, I saw him in the baggage check in line and the staff were calling for anyone going to Perth to come up to the front of the line so they could get them through faster, obviously not fast enough.He must have been on the same flight as me coming back from Hawaii which was delayed because they forgot to load the catering for the flight lol.

Have you just been in Maui too?

Select to expand quote

AUS1111 said..

choco said..

AUS1111 said..

choco said..
Were you guys at the Sydney airport Thursday night? saw someone with windsurfing gear trying to catch a plane back to Perth before it left.

That would have been Craig - he missed his connection and had to overnight in Sydney .

Oh ****, I saw him in the baggage check in line and the staff were calling for anyone going to Perth to come up to the front of the line so they could get them through faster, obviously not fast enough.He must have been on the same flight as me coming back from Hawaii which was delayed because they forgot to load the catering for the flight lol.

Have you just been in Maui too?

stopped over for 5 days in Oahu for some R & R coming back from mainland USA

I'm soooo jealous hooda.

I've got to wait until October before I get to go back.

As for packing, I take a day pack only.

But here are some serious tips.
Wear gloves.
Put new-skin on your hands before you go out. You can buy it there.
Get lessons. It's well worth it. Maui has the best coaches.