Ever wondered what it’s like to have one of those days on the water when you’re windsurfing nothing but monster-sized waves? Jason Polakow tells us about a massive day at Lanes in Hawaii.
Windsurfing Kona’s infamous Lanes is really special to me because you only get a handful of days throughout the year, but when it’s on – it’s on. It’s also never crowded, which adds to my love for this spot and it means most days you’re just riding with a few close mates.
On this particular day, it was simply exceptional because of the wave and wind direction. And once I was out there I had fun wave after fun wave, and I lost count of how many I caught. Getting out can be a total disaster though, but I’ll get into that in a bit.
Jason travels the globe seeking the biggest waves
© EVGENY IVKOV/RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
The morning session was epic. It’s rare when all of nature’s elements come together to form the perfect day. But the surf gods were smiling on me and this day was exactly that. In the morning, there was a very low tide and that was coupled with rising swell conditions. Waves were well overhead and I basically had the entire spot with my best mate Robbie Swift. We were sharing waves and hooting at each other after riding them – there was some serious stoke.
A fine day on the surf
© ERIK AERDR/RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
One of my favourite things to do when a close-out sets come through is to drop-in as fast as I can and hit the lip as late as possible. Then, I try to fly as high as I can. I get a real buzz from this and it’s become a definite must-do for me when I’m in the water and those big sets roll through.
Like I said earlier, the morning session was epic but the afternoon session for me was a disaster. I broke a mast trying to get out through the channel and once that happens you’re in trouble. When the surf is big at Lanes, the current drags you from the channel into the Ho’okipa right-handers.
There’s no choice but to take one of these barreling waves on the head, which feels like someone threw a car on you. Trust me, it’s not pleasant.Jason Polakow
And, if you choose to avoid taking them, the current will just take you out to sea. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.
If things don’t go to plan get up and go again
© ERIK AERDR/RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
It took me an hour of swimming to finally get to the rocks, and then I got absolutely pounded and destroyed the rest of my gear. I was spent by the time I got back to the car. I told myself that was it for the day.
That was until Levi Siver showed up and convinced me to rig up and try again – good mates have a way of doing that, don’t they. Just before I said “OK” I saw that Robby had three-metre Lanes all to himself, so I just had to give it one more shot.
One more shot and persistence pays off for Jason
© ERIK AERDR/RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE
And, to be honest, I’m so happy I went back out because it was better than expected, even though I still had a few hiccups. All challenges, swimming, and broken rigs aside, it was a great day of big surf with good mates and, in the end, that’s all that matters.