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Stand Up Paddle => Fish Tales, Stand Up style => Topic started by: tallguy on October 25, 2015, 02:57:33 PM

Title: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 25, 2015, 02:57:33 PM
Aloha all,
Quick question for those who are familiar w/ the South Side.  How common is it to encounter big tigers on the South Side?  4 days ago we wer 250-ish yrds off from Kihei Boat Ramp and a 15ft+ possibly pregnant female checked me and da wifey out.  Swam directly under us both, about 5-6 ft down.  Clear water, light chop, so got a REALLY GOOD look at her, we were on 14ft boards, so my size estimate is not exaggerated.  No bumps, but couple of sideways curl moves to check us out, then she cruised off.  Needless to say, we made the boat ramp in record time..... Still cleaning my boardshorts out......
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: covesurfer on October 25, 2015, 03:37:58 PM
Yikes, we did a light wind, downwinder yesterday afternoon from the boardwalk in N Kihei to Sorrento's, just past the boat ramp. That is a big shark. I once saw one that size just outside of Maliko, that was on a summer day about 3 years ago. It was cruising fast along the bottom in crystal clear water and the girth was enormous.

Have seen a handful of tigers while downwinding on both sides but not that up close and personal. The Maui Tiger Shark Tracking Project, http://oos.soest.hawaii.edu/pacioos/projects/sharks/ has mapping that shows just how intensely concentrated Tigers are on the south side. Bottom line, they are everywhere, all the time.

You happened to get a good look a a big one that checked you out and swam away. I suspect strongly that they see us ALL the time, almost whenever we're out but are, for the vast majority of pass by's, uninterested. However, there was a woman with extensive water time in south Maui killed last Spring while swimming by the Dumps, if I recall. She was out a ways but was not flailing around and knew how to handle herself in the water from everything I read. And, last winter, some friends were harassed and chased all the way into shore off of Keawakapu while paddling around looking at whales on a flat, windless day. 
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 25, 2015, 04:05:39 PM
Covesurfer,
Thanks for the info. Have looked at the tiger tracking site before, very cool.  Ya, we are starting to figure out the downwinding on South side from Boardwalks, working towards a North side glide.  But we just went out from Kam 3 for a quick exercise cruise upwind 'bout noon, which was south that day, wanted to check out where we had been snorkeling the day before, out front of the Mana Kai.  Didn't expect to see that, but have always known that if the water tastes salty, then there be shark potential.  Find it interesting that we get the honor of having such a close encounter w/ the Man in the Grey Suit, yet we are pretty new to the Maui SUP scene.  We live in Colorado, where sharks are only found on the dinner plate, but we average 6 wks a yr for the last 3 yrs on Island, on the water almost everyday.  That is small kine compared to some of our local friends, who are grown not flow on Maui, who have surfed, SUPed, and worked as snorkel/dive guides most their lives....both in their late 40's.  They told us they have never even seen a tiger!  Wow!

As you suggest, tigers are probably there a lot, we just don't know it.  Have also heard this is the time of yr for more incidents, possibly due to "birthing".  Very grateful "Hawaiian shark ancestors" were so generous with us and allowed us to pass unscathed....   
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: PonoBill on October 25, 2015, 04:19:11 PM
Covesurfer,
Didn't expect to see that, but have always known that if the water tastes salty, then there be shark potential.  Find it interesting that we get the honor of having such a close encounter w/ the Man in the Grey Suit, yet we are pretty new to the Maui SUP scene. 

That is small kine compared to some of our local friends, who are grown not flow on Maui, who have surfed, SUPed, and worked as snorkel/dive guides most their lives....both in their late 40's.  They told us they have never even seen a tiger!  Wow!..

There are a lot. And the water doesn't even have to be salty, there's a lot of sharks that are very comfy in brackish to fresh water. Bulls, for example.

Not hard to see Tigers in Hawaii, but I'm always surprised how few people see them, though I understand how it works. after you've seen a few you see a lot, in part because you know what you are seeing. A few weeks ago driving back from Cali I pointed out in a field and said "look at all the elk" to my wife. As a longtime elk bowhunter, if they're there, I see them. She didn't see a thing, even though some of them were no more than 50 yards away, and there were at least ten. I stopped, pointed them out so she could see them, And showed her how to look for the yellow heart-shaped butt with a darker vertical line and stub tail. Or the dark head and chest with lighter body. And then she spent the rest of the trip pointing out elk to me.

(http://icons.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/q/quickeye/929-800.jpg)
You'd think anyone could see something like this, but when you're not used to pulling an elk out of the background, it's just an amorphous field.

"Where are they all coming from" says she.

They were always there, she just didn't see them.

Congratulations on seeing such an amazing sight. Something to remember. If you ever see a big shark underwater, it's even more unforgettable. They look like huge jet aircraft.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 25, 2015, 04:31:08 PM
Very wise words PonoBill, ya the elk pic is very familiar to me, we do see lots of them here in Colo, and like you suggest it is because we know what were looking at.  Good comparison to Sharks.  As I mentioned we are new to the Oceam Maui SUP scene, so they have probably been there once or twice and we just didn't know what we were looking at.

Also, thanks for posting to this, I have been meaning to say thanks to you for the very cool south side DW vids you have posted in the past.  As newbies, those vids have really help us learn a bit about it before hand, and we have had some very fun short runs from the boardwalk down to Cove Park or there 'bouts.  Just getting our feet wet on the south, hoping to work up to the North side, Maliko.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: covesurfer on October 25, 2015, 06:11:06 PM
You'll want to pay close attention to the swell forecast on the north Shore this time of year. It's easy to get in over your head (hahaha) in a hurry. Also, worth hiring a guide for your first run as there is a lot to know about. Not like the kihei side. Pick your day, go with local knowledge and you'll have a great time.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 26, 2015, 09:28:09 AM
Covesurfer, Thanks for the heads up, will definitely look at swell before any north shore attempt.  Actually want to dial in the "eaiser" south side first before moving up north. Also the first couple times on the north, we will certainly go with folks that have local knowledge, there is a lot to learn!  Thinking a good first time on the Maliko run may be next spring, at Olukai w/ all the people and safety patrol, also a great place to met da locals. 

Been a skier and worked in the ski industry 40 yrs+ w/ 100 days/yr on snow, so we are well aware of folks who "get in over their heads" in conditions that they have no business being in.  Have seen it too often, here on the slopes while skiing, and while SUPing on rivers and flat water in Colo, have assisted in a couple rescues using our SUPs.  Alcohol, inflatable dingy's, no lifejackets, cold water, lack of knowledge, and stupidity were the culprits.  We have great respect for the Ocean and the power it holds, perhaps now more than ever, after seeing that big 15fter up close and personal!!  Certainly an experience to remember...still hard to believe, sitting here back in my comfy snowy home, that we were THAT close to a very large Alpha Predator, and didn't get taste tested!!

 These posts are one great way to gleen info on ocean adventures.  Like anything, it takes time/knowledge/conditioning to get better.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: PonoBill on October 26, 2015, 12:51:33 PM
Yea, Maliko is a whole different thing. sometimes it's so easy and so friendly you'd wonder what all the fuss was about. and then you have a grad level day, and wonder why everyone is trying to get you killed.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 26, 2015, 05:29:14 PM
Speaking about the south side, can anyone suggest a good source or website to get the true realtime wind direction/speeds in Kihei and/or Makena?  Some sites seem to generalize and lump Kihei in w/ the observation at the airport.  Have seen many times that its full North or even NNW at the Kams, yet the sites are saying ENE, which is what it's doing on the north shore.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: nalu-sup on October 26, 2015, 08:00:01 PM
If you buy a membership, iWindsurf has a site that gives you real time wind strength and direction for Ho'okipa, Kanaha, Kihei, and the upper west side. Up to the minute, with daily graphs, and tons of background data. Forecasts are okay, but should be balanced against other sources.
Just go to www.iWindsurf.com. The airport readings are free, but you have to buy a membership for the rest. Get the app on your cell phone, and its worth it if you want to regularly score on Maui. By the way, the site does cover many other areas like California and the gorge, so it might work for other trips as well.
If you want to pass on that, here are some rough tips to give you some educated guesses about Kihei based on the airport reported wind direction. Less than 40 degrees, Kihei will start blowing fairly early and blow all day at roughly double whatever the airport reads though the direction may be a little offshore sometimes; 40 to 50 degrees the wind will fill in to Kihei between 10 and noon, and will blow north straight down the beach, somewhat harder (up to 50% harder) than the airport; over 50 degrees the wind has trouble wrapping around to Kihei so it will come in late, maybe around 1:00, there will likely be some very strong gusts, but the wind line will fade in and then back way out, nasty stuff. Obviously none of this is set in stone, but it is fairly reliable.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 26, 2015, 08:36:19 PM
Thanx much Nalu-sup, excellent info!!  What you say makes a lot of sense.  We stay near St. Theresa's church, right on the ocean, and have observed many times what you are saying .  Glad you put wind direction to the conditions.  Understand these parameters are generally the case, but we will also be wary of changing conditions.  Have seen/paddled in the shifting wind line you mention, and yah, it can be dicey if it starts blowing hard offshore.  That said, have had lots of fun when its cycling the right way, down the coast, just paddling out to the wind line, shooting downwind 1/2 to a 1 mile, then paddling back inside to the calm and back up to do it all over again, merry go-round style, 3-4 times.  Short DW's w/ workouts rolled all into one, and makes it easy to come in for lunch & beer!   Gotta watch the reef and rocks at low tides tho.  Will look into iWindsurf...thnx!!
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: covesurfer on October 26, 2015, 09:49:00 PM
http://weather.mhpcc.hawaii.edu/wrf/maui2/wind.html

The Maui County at 2km site is usually incredibly accurate but only for the day-of-forecast. If they are updating the site, usually around 6 am HST, it is a great tool to figure out where to surf, where you might do a downwinder or go windsurfing or kiting. There will be two or three days of wind forecast available on their site but again, it is typically very accurate on the day of the forecast with decreasing reliability the further out you go. It is good for both direction and strength. I have been using it for a couple of years now and have had very good luck with it. It's also free, which I like too. ;D
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: PonoBill on October 26, 2015, 10:35:50 PM
maui 2K comes about as close as you're going to get. The wind changes on the SS very fast because of Haleakela. The clouds up top slow the wind wrapping around from sheer weight, if the slopes are clear and it's sunny the thermals bloom and pull the wind mauka (in towards the mountain). If they're cloudy they slow the wind and push it out. Those conditions can change in fifteen minutes
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 27, 2015, 10:36:11 AM
Just checked out the Maui 2K site....Wow!!  This really looks accurate compared to what I have witnessed across the SS at different times of day.  The wind shadowing areas around the Kam's, the gusting up at Sugar Beach area, the shifting from calm then south then north then onshore down at Makena, all these look very familiar to what my observations have been.  Thank you much for this, very informative and useful. 

Now, to get back on topic, if only there was a website that gave real-time positioning of all the sharks bigger than 6ft within 1 mile of your current position....and, of course, their estimated trajectory ....shark radar??
Sharkdar.com
Or a portable unit attached to da board that weighed under 2 lbs, wirelessly connected to display screen on the IPhone on your armband........something for the TV show, Shark Tank, no pun intended...........well ok, maybe it is intended.....
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: PonoBill on October 27, 2015, 11:22:34 AM
Really the best way to find out what's going on for the southside is the very sophisticated method we all use--text Larry (La Perouse).  Then there's the highly sophisticated "meet at the top of Kilohana road and look", or the more sophisticated "gather at Hale Hui Kai, trespass a little and take the elevator to Boyum's lookout, to see what the wind is doing and look for the dreaded bubble."

2K always looks definitive, but it's a long term look at a short term phenomenon.
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 27, 2015, 04:32:39 PM
  Sounds a lot like the "Ye Olde Licked Finger held up in the Wind" method......I like it!!
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on October 29, 2016, 04:12:24 PM
Well, we just returned from a month on Da Rock, and glad to say no shark sightings of any consequence for us this trip.  Unfortunately while we were there, 3 shark incidents happened, 2 on the southside and 1 on the north shore. Thank Pele no fatalities.
We did see one 5-6ft reef shark down deep in 30-40 ft of water while out in a 6 man canoe, down by the Fairmont, however.
Sharktober time....keep ur head on a swivel boyz n girls....
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: PonoBill on January 31, 2017, 03:55:28 PM
A marine biologist I was talking to about shark sighting said "the ones you see have already decided you aren't food".  I'm not sure that's always true, but it's certainly so a lot of the time. The are ambush predators an have had a few zillion years to perfect their gig. 
Title: Re: 15 foot+ Tiger at Kihei Boat Ramp..
Post by: tallguy on February 15, 2017, 08:23:59 PM
Kinda flies in the face of the old adage: "What you don't know (or don't see) cant hurt you..."
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