Monday, January 25, 2016

Kayak Tours and Kayak Rentals on Maui~



kayaking Tours and kayak rentals on Maui
 
Our most popular kayak Tour Package on Maui is the Whale watch and Turtle kayak tour. These adventures feature our double and single Ocean kayaks, that are stable and fun to ride. Each person is provided a paddle, seat back-rests, and sun shirts. Our paddlers are also provided with a complete snorkel set, including silicone mask, snorkel and fins. in a tote bag. beach chairs and cooler are also provided for a beach picnic after paddling.
Our package includes everything you need for a complete self guided or guided tour. of maui's best snorkel sites, and guaranteed sealife sightings.
Meeting Time 7:30am at Kihei location. our expert guides provide a safety briefing and land lesson, tips and techniques, and discuss the best location for the day, before you heafd out for your tour.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

New Years Eve 2015 Celebration~

Are you looking for something to do this New Years Eve? If you have not yet purchased a booze cruise or a dinner cruise ticket then don't bother trying to book one ~ theboats are all sold out. Also, most of the resorts with their New Years Eve fixed menus and expensive parties are mostly booked. I recommend going to the Grand Wailea or Four Seasons resort and having some pupus and cocktails in their lobby lounge. You can then head down to Wailea Beach (in front of the resorts) for the midnight fireworks show. the fireworks are amazing and the beach is public. You can also bring your beach chairs, pupus, champagne and create your own beach party! I recommend arriving early to find parking. Wailea is the only place on Maui with fireworks this year. There is a fireworks show on the island of Lanai at Manele Bay but they will not be too visible from Maui.  Also, keeep in mind if you purchase fireworks you can only light them from 9pm to 1am on New Years Eve. Firecrackers require a permit from the County office and all aerial fireworks are illegal! Have a safe and fun New Years Eve!

Monday, February 24, 2014

What SUP riders need to know for Safe SUPping.



SAFE SUPPING
 
 
What SUP riders need to know for Safe SUPping.

  • Always use a Board Leash
  • Write your name and phone number on your board
  • Never SUP farther than you can swim
  • SUP with a buddy
  • Tell someone where you are going
  • Wear a life vest
  • Take a cell phone with you (in a waterproof bag.).
  • Put your name and emergency phone number on your Board
  • Do not SUP in offshore winds


Your board is your life raft:
Your own board is the closest piece of "land". Your board is like a little floating island that can be your savior. Boards make the best life rafts, and they are your own rescue boat, and visual signaling device. Your board can give you floatation for extended periods of time (several days if necessary), your board is also the best way to get back to shore (even if you lose your paddle you can still paddle in the prone position surfing style. Plus your huge SUP board is much more visible than just your small little head swimming in a big ocean.

Stay with your Board:
Your Board can literally save your life, but not if you let go of it. Unless someone finds your loose board and reads your emergency phone number (see previous paragraph).

When you get separated from the board:
This can happen when the board leash breaks. If you get separated try to quickly get to the board. If the board is nearby swim directly to it, don’t worry about the paddle, the board is more important. Then you can swim the board back to the paddle. Boards will float away quickly if there is any wind. Boards will usually drift faster than you can swim. If the board is drifting quickly away from you do not waste all of your energy.  Instead, try to get help attract attention by shouting to people nearby and waving your arms. Stay Calm and tread water or float if you need to.
If the shore is nearby slowly start swimming towards shore. Pace yourself because it might be harder to get to than you think. People can often float for very long periods of time to conserve energy, all night if necessary. A lot depends on your swimming skills, fitness, stamina etc. 

When SUPping beware of wind:
  • Do not SUP in offshore winds (blowing away from the land)
  • Do not SUP in Strong Winds
Offshore winds can push you away from the shore. Even a light wind can have a profound effect on a SUP paddler. When SUPing you may need to paddle constantly into the wind, just to hold one steady position.
Come ashore before the wind gets too strong. The wind tends to get stronger in the afternoons (especially on Maui), this is due to the thermal effect of the wind, that cause the tradewinds and the seabreeze effect.

Your Body acts like a sail:
Your body acts like a sail when you are standing on the board. The wind pushing on your body will push you and your board along in the direction the wind is blowing. To reduce the effect of wind on your body you might have to kneel down to reduce your surface area to the wind. When you kneel you reduce the amount of surface for the wind to catch so you can have better chance of paddling against the wind. If you cannot kneel then you can sit legs forward, if you lose your paddle you can lay down and paddle prone (surfer style), this gives you the least surface area to the wind. Sometimes it may be necessary to slide off the side of the board and swim the board to shore. Hold the nose or tail and do a side stroke swimming motion. Only do this if you have the strength to do so.

Wind on the board:
The SUP board also acts like a sail, the whole part of the board above the water also acts like a sail. So boards will also get pushed along by the wind. If you are trying to travel across the wind the board will try to turn with the wind and become very difficult to steer.
When there is wind on eth side of the board you might have to paddle constantly on the opposite side just to keep the board steering straight.

Downwinded (blown away):
When the wind gets too strong you may not be able to return to your starting point.
Many times people get blown off course and cannot return to their starting place. Instead you should have a second chance exit point. A second exit option farther downwind, in case of getting blown downwind.
If the wind is too strong just try to get back to the land. Go across the wind towards land. You may be a long way from your starting point but you will be on dry land, and can walk back or come and get the board later.

In any Emergency call 9-1-1:
If you are getting blown away or your buddy is getting blown away, call 911 for emergency assistance. Tell them your location and your description and your situation,. The 911 dispatcher will direct your information to the appropriate responders, including lifeguards, and coast guard and local boaters too. It is better to call before you get into an extreme situation, and always better to start a search or rescue before dark. Police and emergency workers do not get mad at you for calling in a problem, they do get annoyed if they are looking for someone that is already arrived back on shore that didn’t inform anyone.

When you get back to land:
When you reach dry land call your buddy and tell then you are OK maybe they are out looking for you. then Emergency responders can stop looking for you.

What to do if you find a board floating in the sea:
If you find a loose board floating in the ocean it might mean that someone is in trouble, call 911 and look of the board also has a phone number. Call that number too and see if you can locate the person. Give a description of the board and the location to the 911 dispatcher. If you are in a position to do so try to look for the person that fell off the board. Generally SUP boards will tend to blow directly downwind. They will also get pushed shoreward by wave action, try to search the immediate area and search upwind from the point where you located the board. Retrieve the board if possible. Make a note of the time and location of the board. This information will help search and rescue efforts.


Be safe and have fun

Friday, February 21, 2014

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Self-regulation guidelines for Surfing and SUP.



Self-regulation guidelines for Surfing and SUP.

On Maui like many other popular surfing destinations we have seen a dramatic increase in people surfing. This includes Longboarders as well as SUP boarders.
This is cause for concern as many new surfers do not know the etiquette and rules of surfing, and also many new surfers do not have the control necessary to surf safely in crowded conditions.

Here is a set of Updated Surfing Rules to use as a guideline to help make the surfing experience safer and more enjoyable for all:

1) Know your level.

Newbies:
If you have never surfed or supped, get a lesson.
Do not try to learn on your own, unless you are far away from other people. A lesson will show you the basics, and hopefully teach you how to avoid getting stuck in the washing machine.
Beginners:
A beginner should stay at beginner breaks. Do not attempt to mix in to more advanced breaks until you have the skill to do so.
Intermediate:
Once you have mastered the basics, move away from the true beginner spots to make room for the beginners. Avoid beginner areas because beginners do not have the control to avoid you.
Advanced:
Advanced surfers should go find some advanced breaks, and again avoid beginners. Advanced surfers have the ability to catch all of the waves, but just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should.

2) Know your limits:
If in doubt, don't go out.
If the conditions are too big, or the paddle too long. Don’t push yourself. You should stay within your ability to handle the conditions. If you don’t have the skills to handle the conditions you will be a liability to yourself and others.

3) Avoid Crowds:
More people means less waves, unless you take more than your share. So unless you are there to socialize, you should avoid crowds. Take a drive and find a less crowded spot.
(Maui has 120 miles of coastline, go explore).

4) Respect others:
No matter how good you are, or think you are, every one else deserves the waves just as much as you do. And everyone deserves to be treated with respect. This means that you should not diminish their safety by cutting too close, or diminish their share of waves, even if they are going to wipeout on a few of them. Do not get into stressful situation by acting possessive or trying to take over a spot. That is disrespectful to the other guy.

5) Use a board leash:
Your board leash is for public safety. Because you cannot guarantee that you will not lose your board once in a while. A loose surfboard or standup board can easily hurt a lot of people. So always use a board leash. All Surfers; shortboard, bodyboard, longboard, and standups need to use a leash. Otherwise you better only surf alone.

6) Share the waves:
No one owns the waves, they are for everyone. So always share the waves with the other surfers in the line up. Maybe the other guy has two jobs and only gets one hour to surf a week. Get a wave, give a wave. Keep the circulation fair. You don’t cut in line at the store, so don’t do it in the surf. Even if you have the longest board or you are the best paddler, and can catch every wave, it doesn’t mean that you should. Surf with aloha.

7) Be Safe:
Being safe means that you must always be in control of your gear, and your actions. If you cannot take off on a wave in a safe way then don't do it. One wave isn't worth risking your life, or risk hurting someone. If it is risky, pull out and get the next wave instead. Never take off if someone is in your path. And do not let go of your board when you are close to anyone else.

8) Paddle Around the break:
Paddle around the break to get out, not through it. This gives the other guys more room to surf in on the wave, and less stress worrying about avoiding hitting you. Paddle a little further around the break and make room for the guys actually surfing the wave.

9) Don’t rest in the takeoff zone:
If you are taking a break, pull over into the channel. Do not hang out in the take off zone or on the inside. You will just be blocking the other guys from getting waves.
If you are not about to catch a wave, then pull over and let another surfer get close to the peak so that they can have their turn.

10) Avoid beginners and Children:
All surfers should avoid beginners and children. Do not surf through a pack of beginners. And do not surf close to kids surfing. They do not have the skills to avoid you, and you might force them to bail out, and risk injury. If you have the skills to avoid beginners then you should. Do not drop in, or cut through, or get close to a beginner, because you could create a safety hazard to them and you.

Please remember these guidelines, and don’t forget that we are all out there to have fun.
Be safe and surf with aloha,
Surf Club Maui

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Keiki Summer Surf Camp


 We have been having so much fun at our Surf Club Maui Keiki Surf Camps in Kihei. This week we had keikis visiting from Colorado, Florida, Germany, Alaska, and of course Maui!! We always have lots of local kids in our surf camps as well.  We are also luck to have many local surf instructors that were born and raised on Maui so they know the beach, surf, and conditions better than anyone! It is so fun to see the keikis progress over during the week. Our camps are focused on surfing, surf etiquette, ocean awareness and having fun!!Our camps are all summer June thru September and we still have spaces available! Call or text to make a booking 1-808-280-9753
 Land lesson
 Ethan
 Kaylee has great surf style!
 Grace paddling out to the surf break
Isabelle, Kaylee, Jackson riding a party wave.
Surfing with "Grace"
 
 Surf Couch and snack time!
Isabelle and Kaylee - surf sistas

 Will - soul surfer
 Phoebe droppin in

Leo doing the drop knee
Tierney gives a shaka!


Merman