Rompe con swell da N- NW (ma non troppo W!), quando Hookipa e’ piu’ di due metri. Un’onda principalmente longboard (anche se qualche shortboardista si avventura a farsi i 10 minuti di paddling necessari per raggiungere il break), alquanto lenta e mai troppo cattiva. Quando e’ troppo grosso (mast high), il canale chiude ed e’ meglio andare altrove (vedi Kahului harbor). La sinistra porta direttamente nel canale. La destra a volte e’ bellissima e lunghissima, ma se la swell e’ consistent (costante), poi e’ un incubo superare le onde per riuscire fuori... specie col longboard!
Kanaha is probably the most popular place to windsurf on the island. There are areas for all venues. Wavesailing can be found about a thousand feet or so from the shoreline. Kanaha is divided into two main sailing areas; Uppers and Lowers. The upwind launch and wave break is known as Uppers, the lower (downwind) launch and break is known as Lowers. Lowers is closer to the beach with slightly milder wind. There are zones set up for kiteboarding, windsurfing, and beginner windsurfing. All windsurfing other than beginner is not allowed until after 11am - most intermediate and advanced sailors prefer the afternoon trade winds. This area is popular for swimmers, and kayak/canoe paddlers, so be considerate of their limited mobility (wink). This is a windsurfing destination for most tourists on the island, and a regular spot for locals.
Kanaha is the full deal! Flat water blasting, mellow waves and hardcore waves all in one session. There is a big flat water channel that takes you out to the open sea which is perfect for blasting and freestyle (although a little choppy when 4.7m weather and above). There are also plenty of sheltered areas in the bay which make learning ideal especially in the morning before the trades really kick in.
For wave riding there are two reefs: Upper Kanaha and Lower Kanaha, both of which can get big waves in large swells. Upper is probably the most challenging whereas the waves at Lower’s line up really well. Kanaha comes complete with grassy rigging areas, silver sands and plenty of parking. For these reasons it is usually the most crowded windsurfing spot on the island.
Kanaha is actually quite a distance away from the other windsurfing breaks, it involves a drive into Kahalui and then driving through the airport, before taking a right turn to the beach. It also means that you will have to sit in the daily Hana Highway traffic jam on your return journey.
per alloggio e macchina a Maui: cammar@cammar.net