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MFC: MAUI PRO-AM

Mark your calendars! From April 14th to 18th, the legendary shores of Ho’okipa Beach Park will once again come alive with the return of the Maui Pro-Am sponsored by MFC; a celebration of wave sailing’s roots, progression and future. With the likes of Kai Lenny, Marcilio Browne, Morgan Noireaux, Robby Swift, Bernd Roediger, Liam Dunkerbeck, Takara Ishii, Lisa Wermeister and Maria Andres already entered the action is sure to be epic when the event kicks off next Monday! Check below for more details from the organizers!

Photos: Fish Bowl Diaries.

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THE STORY

The Maui ProAm is more than just a competition;  it’s the birthplace of modern wave sailing.

First held in the spring of 1982 at Ho’okipa Beach Park, this historic event introduced the world to a new level of high-flying windsurfing action

The strong spring trade winds, mixing with lingering north swells, create the perfect conditions for radical  manoeuvres. It was here that early aerial attempts morphed into singles, doubles, and 360s on the wave face, fuelling the progression of the sport!

As we look ahead, the question becomes: will we soon see triples or backs off the lip? If the wind and waves cooperate, there’s no telling how high this year’s riders will fly.

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THE MAIN SPONSOR

MFC HAWAII (Maui Fin Company) was founded in 1986 with one mission: pushing fin design forward. Since pioneering CNC shaping in the early ’90s and introducing innovative prepreg technology soon after, MFC has remained closely connected to watermen worldwide.

“It’s a privilege to support the return of the Maui Pro/Am, the event that put Ho‘okipa on the map and propelled our sport into the future. Words can’t express how honored I am to give back to the community that has been my life and my family. Mahalo to everyone who keeps windsurfing alive and thriving!” —Pio Marasco

Ricardo Campello, Kai Lenny, Marcilio Browne, Sarah Hauser, Levi Siver, Jason Polakow, Kauli Seadi, Marino Gil, Victor Fernandez, Antoine “Titoun” Martin, Gollito Estredo, Marc Pare, Adam Lewis, Takara Ishii, Hayata Ishii, Josh Stone, Kevin Pritchard, Boujmaa Guilloul, Francisco Goya; the list runs deep. MFC Hawaii has arguably assembled the largest team and most decorated collective of world titles in windsurfing history.

Pio Marasco puts it best

“I never imagined the team growing to this extent. But what are you going to do when you’re surrounded by these incredible athletes—people who pour their love and energy into the same sports I’ve dedicated my life to? I’m starstruck every time I see them ride or they walk into the factory. And when I hear them talk about the gear, every word resonates. It brings us right back to the roots—why we do this in the first place. Over the years, those relationships naturally turn into friendships, beyond business. I’m really proud of each one of them—they’ve been the heart of MFC since day one.”

Pio Marasco reflects on supporting the 2025 Maui ProAm  and when asked—why take on sponsoring events when you’ve already got your hands full with work, family, traveling,…

“Events are where sports comes to life, where the community meets, where we share experiences, and the next generation gets inspired. It gives me and the team something to focus on—something that keeps us moving forward until the next one. This is what drives windsurfing. And honestly, there’s no better feeling than giving back to the athletes who’ve worked so hard—and shining a light for the youth coming up.”

MAUI FIN COMPANY

Maui Fin Company was founded in 1986 and it’s always been on the cutting edge of fins and accessories designs and technology. With 34 Windsurfing World Titles, 2 x WSL XXL Big Wave Awards title and 8 x SUP World Title, it is currently one of the most versatile and awarded companies in water sport industry. Most of the best surfers and windsurfers athlete are or have been riding MFC fins due to its advance molded technology and innovative profiles and design, such as Francisco Goya, Dave Kalama, Darrick Doerner, Kai Lenny, Keith Teboul, Marcilio Browne, Levi Siver, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Jason Polakow to mention just a few.

MFC has been “The First Fin Company” to introduce the CNC Machine shape technology in 1992, and an innovative Molded Prepreg Technology in 1999. Consecrated to merge the gap between design and technology on the manufacturing of products available to the market, MFC moved from custom fin development to mass production at the highest level of technology by conducting its production form overseas without loss of quality. This transition could not have been possible without Cobra International and its expertise in production.

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OPENING BLESSING

2025 Maui ProAm Opening Blessing:

Auntie Mopsy will open the event with a traditional blessing ceremony on Monday, April 14t at 9:00 a.m. at Ho’okipa Beach Park, sharing Hawai‘i’s cultural and spiritual values with the MFC Maui ProAm competitors, crews, and spectators!

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JUDGES:  

Luis Maria “Pick” Escribano: Widely regarded as one of the most experienced head judges in windsurfing history. Pick will lead the judging panel at this year’s MFC Maui ProAm. It’s an honour to welcome him to the event that started it all back in 1982—a “sleeping giant” of a competition that’s returning to Ho‘okipa after two decades, ready to showcase just how far our sport has come. With Pick at the helm, riders can rest assured their performances will be judged by one of the finest professionals in the sport.

Matt Pritchard is a multiple-time World Champion and a former Head Judge, bringing decades of top-level competition insight to this year’s panel. His combination of championship experience and judging expertise ensures a sharp eye for performance and progression.

Kevin Pritchard: As one of the most World Cup-winning riders across multiple disciplines and the 2000 Maui Pro-Am champion at Ho‘okipa, Kevin brings an invaluable blend of experience and heritage to the event. His inclusion in the judges panel not only honours the rich history of the Pro-Am but also brings the sport full circle—celebrating the culture and passion that we all live by.

Angela Cochran is the most decorated Aloha Classic competitor of all time, an avid sailor, and a two-time World Champion (1989 and 1991). Her deep expertise and history at Ho‘okipa and the World Cup make her a perfect fit for this year’s judging panel, bringing unmatched insight and passion to the event and the progression of wavesailing.

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MEDIA TEAM

Paul and Sofie (Fish Bowl Diaries) are award-winning photographers whose instantly recognizable style has been commissioned by leading windsurfing and surfing brands—including Goya, Quatro, Naish, and Fanatic. With over 30 magazine covers and multiple “Photographer of the Year” accolades to their name, they bring a wealth of expertise to the 2025 MFC Maui Pro/Am, capturing every wave-riding moment both on and off the water.

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KAI KATCHADOURIAN

We are thrilled to present Kai Katchadourian as the 2025 MFC Maui Pro/Am presenter. With the longest track record in windsurfing; dating back to the first Ho‘okipa events, Kai has been chasing the perfect ride all around the world. His lifelong passion for the sport, enriched by his love for music and family, embodies the true spirit and culture of our global windsurfing community. Welcome, Kai!

Feeling the Spring Maui vibe !
“Maui has not seen a Spring Event since the PWA Event in April 2005, two full decades ago. It is great to have it back on the schedule as The Maui Pro Am. If one goes back into the history of wave events at Hookipa, some of the most memorable competitions were held in the Spring during the long standing O’Neill Invitational which ran from the early 80’s to the mid 90’s. DaKine, Chiemsee, and even corporate sponsors like Jeep, sponsored events at Hookipa in the Spring. Maui always comes alive with abundant energy as we see the Worlds Best Windsurfers take to the water and challenge the elements.” — Kai Katchadourian

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It’s great to have the spring windsurfing event back at Ho‘okipa. Spring events usually offer better wind. It’ll be great to see the current generation of pros showing their stuff. Aloha, 🤙Robby Naish

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More details here:

Maui ProAm 2025 presented by MFC HAWAII

And enter here:

Hawaii: 4 STAR Hawaii World Cup – World Wave Tour (PWA IWT) | Liveheats