B'hamsters in Kauai
Denise Weeks Apr 1 #31330
There seem to be a number of us! We are having fun under M.Wood's fine tutelage.

In case you wonder what we're up to:

Paul Reavley Apr 2 #31337

D'Mow in the Vega Flex (GoPro Hero 5), Denise in the Swordfish (GoPro Hero 8)

Dan Mayhew Apr 2 #31343

That looks nice, but we had a pretty awesome westerly cross-chop with 45 degrees today on the Bay. #enviousinB'ham

Paul Reavley Apr 5 #31356

More from Kauai,

Denise and Dennis have been linking waves and runs in their surfskis - me not so much, but today was better in my surfski. Over the weekend - we didn't go out Saturday because it was a bit big for mere mortals, but Sunday it backed off some and we had our biggest condition run so far. I got to paddle an Ares OC1. The Kalihiwai run to Hanalei is wonderful. Multiple swell directions this time of year, not much rest or getting to put down your paddle while you sit on waves - at least not for me. I haven't managed much of the on ramp off ramp swell alternation that is possible here and that Michael Wood ably demonstrates, but I can see the smaller swell angling to my right and it is catchable.

Kalihiwai - Hanalei Downwinder:

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Dennis Mowry Apr 5 #31358

The waves look more like the one in the opening to me rather than how the Gopro makes them look.
:D'

Gregg Kravitz Apr 5 #31359

That is such a beautiful run whether in a six man or one man it is PONO. Glad you two are enjoying the north shore. The weather looks Outrageous too.

Gregg

michaelwood Apr 5 #31361

That day 4/3 was what's a usual sporty Northshore day in the winter/spring if you can get off the beach.. Wind was E25 plus gusts, NW swell 5', ENE swell 8' ( from Hanalei sea buoy). You do a beach launch north, paddle out north for 1.25 mi into somewhat large usually unbreaking waves.
Then you turn downwind west for a 6 mile run to far side of Hanalei “bowl”. For 5 miles you play on the wind and swell bumps. Then the last mile of the run is along a rock cliff which refracts all the swells hitting it. There's a few shallow shelfs that extend out from reefs and walls that can stack the swells on given days. It can be a heaving lurching rolling mass of confusion within which is the podium bump if you can find it.
From May-October it's a different run. Much more regular and mellow.Wind E 15-20 E Swell 3-5', 3' wind bump right behind you. No refracted waves on the wall. You can go right by Queens bath and impress the tourists.

The Bellingham ski folks are strutting their rough water chops and impressing the local canoe paddlers who all believe anyone who paddles a ski in those conditions is nuts.

Dennis Mowry Apr 6 #31364

We made it official what everybody already knows. Michael Wood “Offical Hammah Status”. He has had us out about 9 out of the last 10 days with another one tomorrow. He knows his big wave chops in the surfski and the 1 Man Outrigger. Shows us how it's done.
Thanks Hammah Michael for us all of us a great time.

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bflannelly50 Apr 7 #31366

Paul Reavley Apr 9 #31383

Somehow Michael Wood managed to save a special treat for our last paddle of our trip.

We did the Kauai southside downwind run from Poipu to Port Allen - approx. 9 miles and holy cow was it great. Michael rated it 10 out of 10 in his experience of that run. Lots of wind - local airport reported base of 25 mph with gusts to 34 mph. For every wave I missed (plenty of those) there were 3 more to catch. Fantastic run - smiles all around. Dennis M., Denise W., Me, Brian F., Michael, and 3 additional Kauai OCers - Steve, Mike, and Jeff. Some of the local canoers seem to only need about 5 strokes a minute or less when they are downwinding on a run like this.

(Denise has video on the way from her run)

Denise Weeks Apr 9 #31384

Yes to what Paul said, and here’s my documentation:

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Last one from me for a while, I promise!

I’m sorry that my GoPro pooped out before the exciting climax when Michael and I duked it out for half a mile or so before he shot ahead by three waves and took the podium we all carry close to our hearts. Thank you to Mike in the OC-1 for staying by me out there and showing me how zen the whole thing can be.

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David Scherrer Apr 10 #31386

Thanks Denise. Fantastic video, beautiful water and amazing paddling! And great to see Mike in his element. D

Dennis Mowry Apr 14 #31410

OK, Here's my Kauai video contribution: Kauai Grand Finale
It is pared down from 19 mins to 3 1/2 mins, my wife said cut it at 30 secs.
Thanks so much to Michael Wood the “Certified Hammah”.
:Dennis

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Ian Bolden Apr 14 #31411

Love it!! That is such a great run! Always gotta keep some in the tank for the last half…haha!
That Mike Wood guy is amazing and so fun to paddle with!
Thanks for sharing!
“Pipes” Bolden

Reivers Dustin Apr 14 #31412

I study these vids and just have to breathe. The stuff looks so different than anything.I've paddled. If I were to calm down through the gripping panic of how giant this stuff looks, then I'm seeing the stuff everyone talks about: use the littles to catch the bigs. But then don't feel like the wave is going to love you forever. That ride drops out, and you have to already be set up for the next (before it arrives). And you don't get to see it and catch it - that's way too late. You have to feel it before you see it and set up before. So like surf by sense of smell or something.

It's unlikely I'll get over there. Too bad because Michael W. and Richard Spork would be so cool to hang with. Lotta good folks over there. So fantastic vids. really interesting. rd

David Hooper Apr 15 #31415

Indeed, the waves have been impressive, but so have the video editing efforts from the Bham Kauai crew. From Denise's side-by-side dualing wave bros, to Dennis' fancy transitions, to Paul's imagined background monster waves, y'all have been upping the GoPro game.

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Dave H

David Scherrer Apr 15 #31416

Nice job Dennis. Amazing conditions. Thanks!
I thought that was you on the lead guitar.
D.

bflannelly50 Apr 15 #31420

Nice video Dennis-that was another great run. I might even be in there on the white OC1. The waves continue to be outstanding and Mike Wood is a joy to be around. I need to get him a “Shuttle Puzzle Master” hat.