high wind limits

[JP4]

Wilco. Hope it blows.

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[headmount]

Funny I posted on this thread this morning.  Met La Perouse for a south side run hoping it would be stronger than it has been.  Got way more than I bargained for.  Wind was so strong, it threatened to rip blade out of my hands. 

I was inhaling.

[PonoBill]

Hookipa, 01-22-17. 

That's the Waialele in the background.  Length: 345 ft. Max. Deadweight: 5,621 LT.




Did a windy F-16 maliko with Admin back in 08 or 09 that was gusting over 40.  I remember falling at pier one, then trying to knee paddle.  But kneeling or proning didn't work.  The wind was so strong it would lift the tail as the crest came and spin me.  The only way to proceed was to stand up and get going.  That was wild.

You gotta admit, that looks like fun. And yes, most certainly, Pocahontas in high wind is a bad idea. You've got to stand and go for it. The harder you go, the easier it is. Stiffen up and get scared and you're in for a long day.

[808sup]

It's supposedly gusting to 50 here in the Hood today. Felt like it during my kite lesson--a fine day for lesson one. Didn't have any trouble getting the kite in the air. Control was just a little more of an issue. I did fine though, on days like this it's great to have an anchor. I make a fine anchor.
Ahh...So you're learning to kite. Better to learn now than when I did with 2 line kites. They had zero depower! Learning may be challenging but stick with it. It can be rough on your knees so when you learn to stay up wind switch to a foilboard. It's like riding on air and your knees will thank you. Good luck and keep us updated with your progress.

[covesurfer]

LPB's picture from Ho'okipa looks amazing, awesome and totally scary to me.  I'd love to see conditions like that, but I wouldn't even think about going.

Imagining being out there, far enough to stay outside the reef at Sprecks, that is my definition of total terror. Get caught by a breaking top and you're going for an open ocean Maytag ride. Trying to make your way to the harbor entrance, in swell that size, where the water shallows up? I wouldn't be surprised if those monsters dredged the bottom in places. Truly awesome power.

[LaPerouseBay]

^That's exactly the tight spot I was in.  We paddled out from the gulch for a seeming eternity, to stay away from reef action.  You could see it down the line and it was very, very big.  Eventually, you have to bite the bullet and zoom left or risk missing the harbor entrance.  I was in ski, my partners were in a 2 man. 

This guy in seat 2 in this six man had seen some big channel action, and he was comfy "that day."  I'd recommend someone like Sol - 40 years in outrigger, born and raised in Hawaii - as a guide.  Referred to by Hawaiians as a 'real' Hawaiian.  Vision like an eagle.  Those six man vets have seen some stuff.  You won't be alone. 



So, he and his girl lead the way, eventually we have to go left.  I zoom past them at warp speed, on a drop I never want to repeat.  They zoomed by in a few minutes and continued safely into the entrance.  We had a good line in, all was well.  But I did get mauled at pier one.  Lost grip on my wing too.  Not good.  Had to swim to it, dragging the ski behind me.  I'll never drop another paddle again. 

Not a fun day.  Notch on the belt, but not fun.  Ralf and Devin launched with us.  Ha, the parking lots were empty.  North shore veterans do that stuff.  I'm not in that group and not ashamed to say so.

[PonoBill]

Scares the shit out of me, but I like it. At the end I feel like I'm nineteen again. That's worth a bit of risk. By the way, Gregg, I saw Tats working at the Sand Bar Cafe. Great kid, you have every reason to be proud of her.  She doesn't know shit about pouring a beer, but she'll learn.

[LaPerouseBay]

Scares the shit out of me, but I like it. At the end I feel like I'm nineteen again. That's worth a bit of risk.
/

Hmm...  I half expected as much from you PB.  I don't know what the hell you are referring to. But if it's maliko on a day like I experienced - or HM on his forays into 50+mph - You sir, are full of shit. 

Apologies in advance if you are referring to windy days in the Gorge. 

Howling maliko?  No way.  I've seen you paddle many times.  The odds of you living to tell about a day like 1-22-17 are low.  Very low. 

Gregg knows the difference and isn't ashamed to say it.

PB, you are going to get a tourist killed one day.  They will take one look at you and think, "Hmm, he writes about windy maliko on the zone, let's go!" 

You've spouted off about attempting big Kaenae.  I called you out back then, same thing here, pal.

You are clueless about big, big wind, dangerous open ocean stuff,  have you ever done Kaenae or a channel? -  In any conditions?  Didn't think so.  Gregg and HM have channel experience.   
   
Wind events like that picture of Hookipa 1-22-17 are very rare.  I watch that stuff very closely.  No way you have the skill, strength or experience to handle.  Not even close. 

Normally, I just let your bullshit tales go, but this is serious stuff.  You are going to kill a tourist someday.  I call bullshit on you and huge windy maliko.  I've watched you make excuses and dodge lesser days than that over the years...  Admit it.  You've never done one and never will.  If you don't know the difference - just STFU already.

Stop weaseling into tales of horribly unforgiving conditions.  Be clear about what you are referring to.  That's what this thread is about.  It's not just another opportunity for you to boast and brag.     

[PonoBill]

You done? Good. You sure get a lot out of three sentences.

I like big Maliko days. Yes, we've pulled the plug many times, but always for big north swell. I don't remember ever not going because the wind was too strong. I rarely do anything on the north shore with you, so I'm not sure where you're coming up with this. If I heard this from Bill or Gregg it would cut me to the quick. From you it's just another weird rant.

Never have really figured out what your problem is with me Larry, but I notice it's always just in print. Next time you see me in person maybe you'd like to say some of this stuff to my face.

[cnski]

PB- I hope you enjoy your kite lessons and keep at it this summer. Super easy sport to learn, way fun, lots of power in the kite with minimal to no slogging and easy on the body(unless something goes wrong). Don't buy crappy kites built for fly weights at your size. Keep at it and you could be foiling soon on one!!

[PonoBill]

I picked up some stuff today so I can practice what I'm learning. Not cheap, but then not a lot of things are.

[LaPerouseBay]

/
Next time you see me in person maybe you'd like to say some of this stuff to my face.

It's a date.  You are correct, my views will take on added significance in person.  Particularly when I include the views of people who's names i would never put in print.  (And those names don't include Gregg or HM).

I don't shuttle with you because of your shitty racks on that red jeep.  They had no padding.  I can't afford to damage my stuff, so, no more downwinding with PB.  I'll drive you up on the south shore any time.  Your conversation is always witty and engaging.  North shore, I take Kelly's shuttle service.  Saves me over an hour.   

'Til next time, be safe and get back to Maui in one piece. 

[1tuberider]

Having wind surfed for many years in crazy conditions, I have a different perspective of the
conditions I see. I do notice in LaPerouse's pic that the wind surfer's sail looks to be 4.0 or 4.6
range. 
SUP in these conditions is just not the same. Those same conditions that might be fun windsurfing
will be knarly on your sup. I have a hard time recognizing the limits.
Some prior posts reflect that you have pretty much a down winder to head to the harbor.
We have to paddle from outside the harbor to the beach about a mile with the wind of your port side.
All I can say is no way when the wind is over 40.
Yeah this is not about macho, its about safety and recognizing your limits. I would say gorge conditions are not
even similar to offshore ocean conditions. 50 in the gorge still should only be for someone with
lots of experience. Even then you are on your own as most rescue resources are sidelined in these
conditions. 
BTW the conditions I posted about, the gusts were 59 at the airport. A little out of control. Sure glad
we did not try the run. Three experienced life long surfers made the right choice that day. Sure my buddy
said lets not go its over Jac's ability. He called it right just made the wrong story. It was over all our
heads.

[Area 10]

There are some phenomenal numbers being bandied around here. A wind of 50 knots average at sea - at least where I live - looks like the end of the world, with all manner of weird phenomena occurring. 35 knots average is still very strong, and probably I think the best practical limit for most people in open waters. At 35 you have some semblance of control (although you still won't be able to paddle upwind at all) and yet you'll still get blown into some bumps with minimal paddling. I'm not sure that over 35 the extra quality of the DW experience is worth the huge increase in risk and alarm. Mainly you are just buying extra trouble, not extra fun IMO. Of course, if you are in an enclosed area things can be different. But open sea? Hmm.

[LaPerouseBay]

Agree 100% with your numbers.  Knots, Mph and kph are often loosely mixed and matched here on this forum.

Here's the site I use to quickly convert numbers.

https://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/speed/?u=knot&v=50

I've watched big wind events here on Maui for 9 years.  They are very rare, maybe once a year, if that.  They usually happen in the summer.  That's when we get good East conditions.  Winter here on the north shore occasionally has a big East blow, but few if any people ever paddle maliko -  too dangerous in the winter.  There always seems to be something from the NW bouncing around the north pacific.  Anything from the NW is not good with a raging East wind.  Random, unpredictable pyramids of white water. 

We had a big one this December (not as windy as 1-22-17).  Lots of people paddled it.  Here's a nice blog about it, I think Suzi Cooney writes it.

https://www.malikorun.com/maui-maliko-run-ocean-safety-checklist-downwind-paddlers/

Here's Mike Owens grabbing Randy's board.  Gopros make everything look tiny.  Big day, but not a raging day like 1-22-17.  Those events are very rare - far more dangerous. Like Area 10 says, above 35 knots - on standup - what's the point?  Maliko? maybe the vets in summer.  Winter, very unlikely.



Sorry to come down so hard on you PB, but true blasters on the north shore are rare.  You are only here in the winter.  Nobody goes when it's like 1-22-17.  I'm usually working when the big ones happen.  i call a few of the usual suspect to get the scoop.  Must be a gas for those that can handle.  But I won't do one again.  Too scary.