The smokin spring and summer Maliko report

[headmount]

And from the same spot this morning... my porch.  Like last night's sunset you can see Molokai behind the tip of West Maui

[headmount]

Wind was back yesterday.  Classic summer type conditions with almost zero swell and perfect grain.  Launched at 2:30 to oil tanks (9m). Was stoked with time (1:06)  Almost two miles more than Kanaha run where I only did 1:02 last sat at race.  Had a feeling I wasn't going to fall yesterday and didn't but many wild balancing moments where I almost fell.  Practiced my JM  imaging (see JM stroke in technique) and praise Oden, it worked, worked well.  I had been averted to bending at the waist but it really wasn't bad and my back feels fine this morning. 

At home, before my run, I had a flash to take my blade to the top of our stairs.. bent my knees, hips out a little to opposite side of stroke, top arm roughly in line with my back and placed the blade tip about half way down second run of the stairs  which had the neck of the blade even with the floor my feet stood on.  Then I pulled for 10 secs in an isometric combo stretch I could really feel especially in my shoulder joint.  Felt good. Then switched to other side.  That felt great and imprinted the body feel of what I saw in JMs stroke pic. 

I drove to Kahului to renew my drivers license (now very complicated with three forms of ID needed) and had given up on the idea of going for a run.  A pal calls me inside the DMV, I look outside and see the palm trees bending and say 'hell yes'.  He drives into town, we drop a truck, stop at my house to pick up my gear and before I know it, I'm putting the JM image practice to real time use out in the wild blue.  Perfect day and now I have this comical looking new pic for my Maui driver's license I've had since 1967..  wish I had all those pics to see how I've aged.

[LaPerouseBay]

NIce to be back at maliko after 2 weeks on the south shore. 

[1paddle2paddle]

Unreal that Oscar won...again!  At 49 years old.  Not even three minutes behind Greg/Zvolt.  Wow.

[LaPerouseBay]

Yes indeed the big O. is amazing.  I followed the race on facebook, couldn't believe he did it again.  Oscar was with the double for a long time. Then he fell off, lost a few places then busted a big move to crush everyone at the end.  What a beast.   

What an amazing talent in the waves.  I think I read he was at 275 less than a year ago.  Then he started training in earnest with this race in mind.  Amazing.   

A friend of mine did it and said the conditions were brutal.

[headmount]

Went today and it was as east as I've seen it for quite some time.  Everything including the current was pulling me offshore and I had my 14 not my Bullet with what would have been my very helpful...rudder.  Escorted a father and son from the SF area.  Solid paddlers but it was a wrestling match to keep inside to make our finish point. 

Strong winds forecast as far out as they make predictions.  Today had everything from light post squall to frothing 40+.  If the moisture upwind of the state dries out, we'll be in for some great runs as each successive day gains a bit of easterly roll.  But with moisture the offshore component is strong.  Real strong.  Check your leashes.

[peterp]

Someone here said Oscar was 120kg's then he decided to give the Molokai another go - after having won 11 times, the last in 2007. He went down to 105kg - and won - at 49yo.........Apparently he also excelled in pretty much any other sport and got national colours in 3 or 4 of them - probably the greatest athlete ever to come out of SA!

[Tecpartner]

Incredible feat of athleticism.  We know Oscar can talk the talk...now he proved he can walk the walk.

[supdiscobay]

Thanks to Headmount for a great couple of Mailko runs.  Had a great time and Bill is a great guy.  Nice to finally meet. We ended up meeting several zoners over here the past two weeks.  For those who haven't done any downwind runs, this was my first and now I am hooked.  We flatwater at home in the Delta, and SUP surf in Santa Cruz.  It will be tough to find something in Nor-Cal to compare with Maliko.  My 19 yr old son didn't really want to go, but after the first one he was hooked too!  He is a strong prone surfer, going to school in Irvine.  Monday was a nice 20-25 day and a good first Maliko.  Bill described the Wednesday run well.  Bullitts are the norm out here.  It seems like thats all we saw, and we could have used a rudder on the 5/24 run. If you get over to Maui, get in touch with Bill and enjoy. Thanks again Bill  !!!!!

[PonoBill]

Maui is Da Kine for downwind, but Hood River is pretty tasty too. You won't fall in as much. The stuff I do to stay on the board must be pretty funny, I had TJ laughing like a loon when he and I made the mistake of trying the line over by the railroad tracks yesterday--it was like paddling in a log flume. Steve And Doug were over close to Wells Island and it looked almost like a cartoon they were disappearing so fast.

Hood River is a lot closer than Maui.

[LaPerouseBay]

Forgot to install the memory chip yesterday.  Today's run was much windier.  
Got nailed at Spreck's and the camera mount got loose.  All the good footage went missing.  Oh well, summer is just beginning.  

This clip is the best section of the first half.  Very exciting run.  East swells over the reef are the bomb.

1:01:22 with 3 falls and minimal effort.  Man, when the wind blows 40 all you have to do is steer.  

No news on the V-10.  I'm cool with it, the sport is still rocking.

 

[headmount]

Thanks for the call LPB.  Did two today.  Video first, then run and gun the 2nd.  From the road above Hookipa, it appeared grey and rainy and smooth.  We were anticipating a trudge paddle but as soon as we got out of the gulch, we were blown away.  It was rainy and smooth but the wind was screaming.  The net effect was smooth faces and huge troughs.  Felt like powder skiing.  You could point er anywhere you wanted with absolute control.  Best condition I've ever had.  Wasn't like that the whole run but to Paia it was incredible. 

First run was good but in comparison to last several days it was unremarkable.  I know I'm getting jaded when 30mph is unremarkable.  That was an 11:30 launch.  2nd was about 2pm with the heavy black squall.  2nd double in 3 days.  It's just fantastic.

[SEA]

Bill , You are a truly blessed man !!!  Keep it up !!

[headmount]

40 is the new 30....mph that is.

[PilonSUP]

40 is the new 30....mph that is.