Mission on
From the end of May to the beginning of June signals the return of south swells, the best direction for Tahiti but also a good time for wind forecasts too. It looks like we have an upcoming window of wind and waves for a few days, so it’s important we don’t waste time.
Jules and his mates had just arrived on Tahiti and after only two or three hours of sleep (due to jet lag), we all hit the road and embark on a boat at 09:30 for the neighbouring island of Mo’orea. On Tahiti, the wind wasn’t strong and according to Charly Boy and Baptiste Gossein, only Mo’orea could offer us a nice session. After 90 minutes by car, 45 minutes of boat then another 30 minutes of car, I confess that the view of our eventual spot was not encouraging. The wave is 1 km. from the shore, we send the Jet Ski to see if the wind has come in but nada. It’s flat calm. To add a little more good news, there is no more space in the evening boat back to Tahiti, so we will have to sleep here. The trip is beginning well. Fortunately a friend, Edouard, lives on a boat. He helms the Tahiti-Mo’orea ferries and has offered us bunks for the night and to take us back on the next morning’s first boat at 5:30 am. Winning! While we unpack the gear and consider swimming among the rays and sharks, a Mo’orea must do, Jules sees a gust of wind. We decide to wait patiently. It’s hot and humid so we look for shade; we did not even bring water with us! Then, suddenly, a refreshing slight breeze starts blowing and to our surprise, the sky clears. The boys go into the water and seem to have enough wind in their sails to get out to the wave offshore called Ha’apiti. Charly Boy brings me out there with his jet ski so I don’t miss any action. The guys are cranking out turn after turn on pristine walls of water with a few aerials. Our ‘bad’ day has turned into a perfect session in Mo’orea. We are in paradise.
The fact we are having to sleep here tonight on a boat is soon forgotten it was such a good session. After three hours of intensive play, it’s time for everyone to get back on the boat with the help of the Jet Ski before the wind drops. Little sleep from the night before + a big windsurfing session = tired bodies but smiles from having scored. To prolong the happiness, we end the day around a BBQ and a lot of Hinano (local beer) on Edouard’s sailboat. One by one the team succumbs to the tiredness and we go to sleep readying for our early start at 05:30, a boat we don’t want to miss!