Hauling with Honu at Kailua, Oahu
August 10, 2006
I spent last week on Oahu doing a family trip with the little ones, my sis and bro and his kids. We stayed in cabins at the beach on Bellows Air Force Station
Bellows is on the Waimanalo bay and is restricted from public use so its like being on a outer island right on Oahu. It's the next bay south of Kailua bay on the windward side, which of course we all know as the birthplace of modern windsurfing, and home of precious Robby and Josh. By Friday (August 4) the trades had built to a point where I was pretty sure it was time to take the 15 minute drive over to Kailua and rent some gear.
(Looking at the archive, the Kailua sensor was down but you can look at Bellows although it is stronger on the water at Kailua than what the Bellows sensor shows). I've been to Oahu 5 times and this was by far the best, windiest day I've ever seen at Kailua Beach Park (most beach goers might call it the worst day....in fact, my brother's wife and little island kids wimped out because it was too cold - give me a break, it was over 80F!!!).
So it feels like a solid 20 at the beach, but I rig big because I've sailed there several times before and the winds are usually pretty light. Rented a 6.6 Pryde 'generic' and a RRD freeride board from Hawaiian Watersports right there on the beach. On my first couple of runs out it was clear that I'd waaay over-rigged, as if watching dudes go out on 5.0s didn't clue me in, and it blew my arms out pretty good trying to hold it all down. So I went back in for a sandwich and some more downhaul and outhaul. Having detuned the rig to at least 6.0 power, I went back out and proceeded to haul some very serious ass. Fully dialed now, blasting way faster than all the kiters and other windsurfers, headed out into the bay far enough to cruise over the big open water rollers. Pick a steep one and wham...throw it into a big jump and slam down into the trough. Jibe off the face of one and let the swell push you back on to a plane. Some of them were even breaking a little and were sorta surfable. I wanna estimate 4-5 foot top to bottom (there was a serious south swell in all week - 8-12' wave faces on the south shore).
In Spennie terms....Wooo-Hooooo! All this with crystal clear warm water
and the Koolau range in the background makes for a pretty spiritual session. To top off the session, on one run out deep into the bay, I see a large dark spot on the surface out ahead and at first I think 'coral head' but then I realize its a precious sea turtle. A little closer and I can see the whole turtle just sort of floating at the surface and possibly diggin Kailua bay as much as I am. I jibe by Honu and continue to haul ass until I can't hold on any more. It was my best day this year and best ever sesh at Kailua. Also stopped by Diamond Head on Sunday and watched the wave sailing for a bit. Saw some dudes get some HUGE air. Winds are way better than the sensor would indicate and there's plenty of room on the water for everyone to get lots of rides...looks very doable and I'd be stoked to try it out.
Da Kine
