The latest from mauiwindcam

Mauiwindcam Captures the Tsunami Action in Time Lapse Videos.

ray — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:36:50 +0000

Well it wasn’t as bad as we though it might be…thankfully. But we did manage to capture some pretty impressive tide surges on our Camp One cam and West Maui cam. We have posted the time lapse movies on YouTube so go here to view the action.

If you double click on the image you can go to YouTube and rate the video and leave a comment. It really helps our site. many mahalos!

Local Boy Lenny Takes Sunset Beach Crown!

ray — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:58:13 +0000

photo by Hankphotos

Congrats to local boy (and Mauiwindcam fan!), 17-year-old Kai Lenny, who won the Waterman League’s, Sunset Beach Pro last weekend.

Although Kai may be better known to many, for his windsurfing talent (he won the PWA’s Rookie of the Year in 2009), his SUP skills gave him full advantage in the 6-8ft (and bigger!) sets.

As Champion of the first ever World Championship event, stop one on the Stand Up World Tour, the future is bright for Kai. His talent, humble nature and focus has allowed him to take the world by storm and place him firmly at the head of the ratings after the first event, and crowned him the Sunset Beach Pro Champion for 2010.

He is proficient in all watersports and at seventeen years old competes with Adults in World Class competition. Surrounded and supported by his family, Super Parents, Martin and Paula, as well as having Wonder Brother Ridge, following his footsteps.

This family atmosphere takes him to push his limits everytime he gets on the water. But the most impressive thing is seeing his smile when he gets out of the Ocean. He’s having the time of his life.

During the latter stages of the 3rd heat, the knock on effect of the buoys jumping up to 17 ft at 17 second interval impacted Sunset Beach, with a series of monstrous sets that washed through the Bay and turned the conditions ugly, forcing organizers to cancel for the day and go back to a holding pattern until conditions improve.

Head Judge Leleo Kinimaka introduced the beach start for the Final heat, providing entertainment for the assembled crowds as the riders not only had to focus on the waves, but also the fearsome Sunset Beach shorebreak!

What followed was one of the most spectacular finals imaginable, with all riders pulling out the stops to be crowned Champion of the Sunset Beach Pro, presented by Red Nose: Kekoa Uemura was on fire and putting it all on the line, to the point that he also earned the award for the most radical wipeout! Kamaki Worthington, fresh from an epic semi final (where he was presented with the Single biggest move award by Da Hui and a $1,000 for his efforts), was still charging hard, with critical turns and fluid riding at his homebreak.

Frenchman Peyo Lizaruzu was still demonstrating his exceptional ability and demonstrating that his position in this prestigious final was more than deserved. But all this talent and performance riding was not enough to stop 17 year old Kai Lenny from dominating from start to finish, with an incredible display of performance riding and event maturity that was way beyond his years.

FINALS Results:
1st Kai Lenny (HW)

2nd Kekoa Uemura (HW)

3rd Kamaki Worthington (HW)

4th Peyo Lizarazu (FR)

Mauiwindcam Surf Expo 2010 Report

ray — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 01:45:58 +0000

Mauiwindcam just got back from the 2010 Surf Expo and we think it should have been called the SUP Expo, tons of SUPs on the floor and in the pool. Overall the show had a very positive vibe and it looks like the industry is ready to come out of the recession and have some fun.

Maui was very well represented, Naish (www.naishsurfing.com) of course had a huge selection of SUP boards, windsurfers, and kiteboards, while some smaller companies like Neptune Paddles (www.neptunepaddles.com) made in Haiku, also were at the show showing off their goods. Mark from Neptune says you got to try his new paddles to believe them. Jimmy Lewis (www.jimmylewis.com) had some great boards on display, and a new really fun looking short wave SUP, along with some great kiteboards and regular surfboards.

Kai Lenny and Zane Schweitzer, both Maui boys were at the show talking up products and having fun.
Many other Hawaii companies were at the show, and it shows why SUP development continues to come from Hawaii. The Big Islands Hyper Hawaii (www.hypernalu.com) had some great looking boards, as did Oahu’s Kai Mana (www.kmboards.com) and C4 Waterman (www.c4waterman.com).
Mainland companies were coming on strong with new companies and boards from almost every state. Surftech (www.surftech.com) has sooo many shapes and styles and technologies that it makes your head spin. You wish their booth was your quiver, something for absolutely every condition.

Of course there were tons of other companies selling everything and anything related to surfing, skate and beach. The resort section is always good for a walk through as the bikini companies all exhibit their goods, that’s right bikini models everywhere.

One of the more interesting products was SNP (www.surfnanoproducts.com) a Nano formula that is supposed to reduce the friction on your board and make everything in the water faster and easier, from your paddle out to your coast run. Not sure how it works, but will have to give it a try and see if it really does make a difference. Not a product but something we all like – waves. The Waverider Club (www.waveriderclub.com) officially opened for business and was showing off its first rental properties.

The party at the Hilton was a hit with the DJ mashing up everything and anything from Johnny Cash to Guns and Roses. Volcom handed out free beer again, and free beer is always a hit.

The best show at the show happened to be the worst thing. A sprinkler way up in the ceiling burst and showered tons of water down on top of about 20 booths. Soaking absolutely everybody and everything in those booths. A few hours later after the cleanup, everyone was back selling and happy that it was just water.
Check out the video on our facebook page.

Surf Expo 2010

ray — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:56:16 +0000

Ray Masters Sporting T-shirts

The mauiwindcam crew is heading to Surf Expo in January 2010 and will report back all the latest goodies in the SUP and surf world. We excited to be attending this show and will let you know about all the cool stuff we find. We have heard rumors of SUPS and Surfboards boards being built with recycled coffee cups, we got to find out more about that. If you are in the Orlando area and can get a pass you should make an effort to go as there are always some really cool new gear plus the clothing exhibits are worth the trip alone. Bikini babes anyone

Kona winds change the look of Maui and mauiwindcam.

ray — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:05:02 +0000

Winter on the north shore of Maui usually brings big waves and a change in our regular wind patterns.
Named after the Hawaiian word for Western Side, Kona winds are associated with cyclones with central pressures below 1000 hPa which pass within 500 miles/820 km northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. Strong Kona winds usually last from a day to a week. Considerable damage can be caused to boats lying southwest of the islands. Because of the change in direction, trees and other items used to bracing Trade winds can also suffer at the hands of a strong Kona wind.
On the north shore of Maui, mild Konas are welcomed by surfers who enjoy the effect that an offshore wind has on a wave. Windsurfers also may take advantage of these conditions to sail on the south side or experience north shore sailing on an opposite tack than usual.
Regardless, Konas bring a fresh look and feel to our island and as with all natural things we welcome them with Aloha.

Seasons Greetings from Sevin and the MWC Gang!

ray — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:58:29 +0000

Wow…it’s that time of year again!
So Sevin asked us to send you all his very best Woof for a great Holiday Season and a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
He also wanted you all to see him in his swanky Holiday Costume.
So here is the star of mauiwindcam dancing with joy. Just for you.
Woof from us all at mauiwindcam.
Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

Do not adjust your set!

ray — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:28:25 +0000

Well for those of you who have not been lucky enough to be here during a big swell, the haze you see is actual Salt Mist. The waves break so hard that they throw huge amounts of water in to the air, as the waves continue a haze like mist covers the whole North Shore. Everything that is near the shore has a nice thick layer of salt on it after a good swell. Great for killing TV’s, phones and most anything made out of metal. But we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Big Guns out at Sprecks!

ray — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:33:04 +0000

Included in this who’s who of wave riders was Robby Naish, Dave Kalama, Jason Polakow and Levi Siver.
According to reports after the session they all had some great rides before the rest of the world showed up!
We will be seeing more of these great watermen and women in the next couple of days and mauiwindcam will keep you up to date on all the happenings.
Stay tuned!

Big Waves Coming!!!

ray — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:02:24 +0000

If the rumors and forecasts are true we are in for 2 days of huge waves Monday and Tuesday.
Our Windguru chart is showing wave heights of about 18 feet but it was showing 24 feet the other day.
Historically they are VERY conservative with their ratings.
A 12-15 foot forecast can see 25+ feet on our outer reef at camp One.
We have heard that Kanaha State Park beach will be closed and that evacuation plans are in place for some low lying areas.
Of course this spells fun for our 4 cams and in anticipation of this we will be cleaning lenses and moving them to the most advantageous directions to bring you as much of the action as possible.
We will also be updating our news pages several time per day to keep you informed of all the big wave happenings.
So stay tuned to mauiwindcam.com and our FaceBook page….and if you are brave enough to be a player out there….please take care and have fun!

Sevin Goes Windsurfing!

ray — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 07:34:42 +0000

Of course our favorite Water Dog, Sevin had to be a great windsurfer.
And as this short video proves, you can jibe first time out!
At least if your name is Sevin.
As usual, the footage is not sped up….he really is moving out.
A big nod to some crack sailing by Dougie Miller.
We shot this in May but I’ve been a bit busy, sorry
Enjoy….Woof!

Music: Bumble Boogie by B. Bumble and the Stingers from Nut Rocker / Bumble Boogie