Hawaiians have a saying, ‘Maui nō ka ‘oi’ – Maui is the best – to praise their beloved island of Maui. Since modern windsurfing began, Maui has been viewed as one of the best windsurfing spots in the world and the unofficial capital of our sport. Its consistent trade winds, huge Pacific swells, and tropical weather have attracted many of the world’s most famous sailors to make this magical island their home. Ask any of the locals and they will tell you it is not just the amazing conditions that make Maui such a special location, there are many other reasons why the saying Maui nō ka ‘oi rings true – read why as John Carter and a selection of pros pay homage to the island.I am up on the hill at Ho’okipa, a place I have spent many hours over the past twenty-five years keeping a beady eye on the weather. The sky over the break is clear but up towards Haiku the approaching clouds are jet black, while over the horizon there is a kind of luminous glow forming. I know from past experience it’s time to run to my car parked up by the guardrail as within five minutes I am pretty sure the heavens are about to open! But before that, the mysterious glow has now grown into a huge rainbow, perfectly framing the view from the sugar cane fields and the point at Pavilions. ‘Wow!’, what an awesome piece of nature! I snap a few shots off before dashing up to the car as the heavens open. Out on the water, none of the sailors are particularly bothered and within five minutes the sun is shining again, the trades are still blowing and the waves are pumping.
Words & Photos John Carter
Originally published within the October ’17 edition.