XXL
When the winter swells hit XXL then it is a whole different ball game and the centre of attention is the world renowned Jaws or Peah’i. You can sense the buzz on Maui when a huge swell arrives. For one thing if you live close to the beach you can probably either feel or hear the giant swells detonating on the outer reefs. The gas station in Paia the night before is often congested with Jet Skis filling up their tanks since most of the surfers leave pre-dawn. Driving along the Hana Highway up past Mamas Fish House and Lanes on a big day you can’t help but be distracted by the surf crashing along the stunning north shore coastline. The unmade road down to Jaws isn’t signposted and follows a bumpy dirt track through the Cane fields before you reach the look-out point at the top of the break. Here you have a bird’s eye view of the break, which is about 300 metres away from the cliffs. When the swell is really pumping the track down to Jaws can be very congested and is sometimes policed; if it has been raining it can be a nightmare in a 2 wheel drive so watch out. I had a ‘wow’ moment many years ago as my wife and myself slid out of control in our car in the mud but fortunately came to a grinding halt at the edge of an overhang at the bottom of the track. Further down the coast at Spreks and Kanaha the waves are still spectacular and if Ho’okipa is maxed out and the pros don’t want to ride Jaws they can often be seen shredding at Kanaha on the bigger days. If the wind is not blowing on a high surf day it is well worth the drive to go check out Honolua Bay on the west side of the island. Unlike the reefs on the north shore, Honolua is a perfect peeling point break and the views of the surfing from the cliffs is up close and spectacular.