Big Wave Surfing at Maui's Jaws

“Kona Days” –  High Surf, Temps & Humidity

January has turned out to be another amazing month for cycling here in Maui. The weather has been averaging about 82 degrees every day with little to no rain.

We also had what is locally called Kona for a few days. Kona days are when the winds are light and blow in the opposite direction from the normal trades. 95 % of the time here on Maui the tradewinds are blowing 15-25 mph from the Northeast. Keeps us cool, but also makes cycling here always challenging.

The recent Kona weather  changes up the riding conditions a bit. It allows you to ride different directions without battling the winds. The drawback is the humidity goes up and it’s a bit warmer than normal. I think all of us riding here have been enjoying the change in weather, though.

Road Paving Continues Past Ulupalakua

The state of Hawaii has been paving more of the road out past the Ulupalakua Ranch. The state has been adding new pavement over the patched asphalt and gravel for the past few years. They recently added two more miles of fresh asphalt. It feels like butter under the bike tires!

It has made this ride route a bit more demanding to do an out and back ride. It drops from 3000′ down to sea level and then we ride back up to 3000′ again. The total elevation gain is now about 4,500′ in just over 40 miles. If you’re on Maui and want to take this ride with Go Cycling Maui, let me know.

Tiger Shark Sightings Will Sometimes Close Maui Beaches

Surf’s Up … and Sharks, Too

This Kona weather is also welcomed by the surfers. The waves have been big on the north shore lately. “Jaws” has been breaking a couple of times already this month. Me included! I’ve had some awesome surf sessions before work in the mornings. I try to hit the water about 6:30am and be done by 7:30am to get to work before 8am.

It’s always a new adventure every time I go surfing. Saw a small 4-5′ shark on my way out to the surf break 2 weeks ago. I was on my standup surf board just paddling along and there it was. The water is so clear that it saw me and swam away. It does wake you up a bit when you see one even when it’s small. Had a great session that morning, but was thinking more about the shark every time I fell off.

 My Big Wave Wipeout

Then last week I went out on a big wave day to a favorite surf spot of mine and had it all to myself. This is fun but also not the best idea if you get in trouble. I caught a big double overhead wave and was able to ride it for a while, then it started to close out on me.

So I jumped over the back of the wave. My board went down with the wave and got pounded. I went to get back on my board and found that only half of it was there. It had snapped in half. I was attached to the back half of the board by my leash.

The front half was washed away with the wave. So, I laid on top of what was left of my board and paddled it back toward the shore. I found the front of the board and was able to paddle both pieces to the beach. The bummer was it was my favorite board (called “the secret weapon,” because it was so easy to catch waves). It was custom build for me about 12 years ago. No repairing it, but I’ll use if for a decoration or turn it into a chair.

Upcoming Cycling Events

Robbie Ventura

Back to the cycling here in Maui. Lots of upcoming events on and off road.

- April 15: West Maui Metric Century Ride
(contact South Maui Bikes at 808-874-0068).
- April 28-29: Maui Stage Race (http://www.mauistagerace.com).
- In May: (date will be set soon) I will be hosting a cross-country mountain bike race. All levels of racers will be welcome. Looking to do a summer mountain bike race series on some private land near Makawao. More details will come soon.

More Cycling Camps in 2012

Working on two more Cycling camps on Maui for 2012 in, addition to the Ryder Hesjedal December Camp. Robbie Ventura (Vision Quest) Camp in early November, and Jeremy McGrath (Moto Adventure) Camp (date is still to be determined). Details for all the camps will be posted soon.

Mahalo,

Donnie Arnoult