DIALING IN!
The outside peak at Cloudbreak is big and fat as it pulls off the deep water, then builds up speed, power, and cleans up as the wave wraps in along the reef. By the time it reaches the inside section it is a roping hollow wave with almost straight offshore winds. From my very first wave I felt at home, surprised that my board, fin setup etc. felt so comfortable after so long standing the other way. It’s like riding a bike. You can take a break, feel a little apprehensive at first, but after a few minutes you are back to riding wheelies. Although I was not smacking the lip or doing aerials, I had a blast. I laid down some bottom turns that felt like they were pulling several G’s. If I got the second or third wave of a set, the wave was so smooth it felt like you could almost ride without fins at all and still be fine…just carving off your rail… no bumps, no chop at all, and a perfectly peeling and predictable wave with no closeouts or sections. It is almost too easy, yet at the same time extremely intimidating because you know that if you do go down or get caught behind the section and have to straighten out… your day is likely done. Most waves were in the five to eight foot range, but a couple of sets looked like small Peahi turned into a left…something I normally only dream about.
DREAM SESSION!
I sailed for at least a couple of hours. In fact I sailed longer than I should have. I shared the waves with the kite crew, but was having so much fun that I didn’t want to stop. As with many waves around the world, the tide plays a big part in determining when it is good, bad, or even un-rideable. I windsurfed right through the best period of the day, even though I was there to shoot a kitesurfing film. The photos don’t really do it justice because with one photographer sitting on a boat, you can only capture one part of the wave…from the peak…and everything inside of that can only be shot from the judging tower on the reef. The crew was shooting video from there, but not stills. Eventually I had to call it a session, and headed to the boat, de–rigged, and set up my kite for round two. That afternoon and the two days that followed were kite only…but that couple of hours of windsurfing all alone (except for some good friends on kites) at one of the best waves in the world was one of my best ever windsurfing moments. At 52, and with 41 years of windsurfing under my belt, it’s pretty awesome to be able to say that. Aloha, Robby Naish.