It all started with some crazy footage from the Teahupoo contest. The biggest swell of the decade was hitting the south Pacific right in the middle of the ASP contest, forcing the organizers to stop the competition and authorities to ban water access to any embarcation. Like most rules in France it was not respected by the public and several guys were getting towed into some of the the biggest waves ever ridden. On Maui we were getting ready for that same swell to work its way up the Pacific ocean. It was going to loose some size and power on the way but we knew, unlike in Tahiti, that the steady trade winds will be there to make a memorable windsurf session. For once we were not going to drive all around the island chasing a South Swell that would not live up to its promises.
This one set the whole coast on fire putting to life some breaks that hardly ever works. The wind was side off shore all day on the right spot and the place got so big and windy that hardly any surfer would remain in the water in the afternoon. I had it just to myself for couple hours like I never got it before. A day to remember, that is for sure!
Aloha,
Manu
Photo: Franck Berthuot