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Hawaii, HI - the Big Island Surfski
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Ian Foo Downwinding
As the name, “the Big Island”, implies, Hawaii Island is the largest of the state of Hawaii's islands. But it has just 13% of the state's population. Though it is not as well known for downwinding as its sister islands, there are opportunities to downwind if you can find a vessel (probably easier to find a SUP or Outrigger Canoe to paddle than it is to find a surfski)
Rentals
- Kailua-Kona (west side of Hawaii, usually less windy - leeward side) - where the Queen Liliʻuokalani OC6 Races are run and where the Ironman Championship Race begins and ends.
- Hyprnalu http://www.hyprnalu.com/ 75-5663A Palanai Rd. Kailua Kona,HI 96740 T: 808-990-7776 or 808-960-4667 - Surfski Rental and Lessons available. Not particularly inexpensive. Best to text to arrange for the rental (Ian Foo) (SUP, Surf Rentals and Lessons also).
- Local Knowledge (no surfskis)
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Downwinding/Paddles
Downwind
- North End
- Northwest
- Anaehoomalu Bay to Mahaiula Beach 14 miles
- Puako Run (Wailea Bay) - Men's Journal Description
- Waikoloa video “ if you live in waikoloa you'll notice that the winds are very weird. where the wind is one place is totally different 2 miles down the road… for us, July to the end of the year is always the best for this run.” - JF808 on standupzone.com
- West
- Mahai'ula Beach - Honokohau Beach 10 miles video (leash break & long swim)
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Waikoloa Downwinding (click to zoom) photo: standupzone.com JF808
Surf
- Hilo Bay as you can read in the trip report below, there are sometimes waves out in the bay that can provide long, fun rides. Be careful, as always, about riding waves too close to where they break before you try to peel off.
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Flatwater
- Best Places to Paddle (SUP oriented but applies to all paddlers, 1st section is about the Big Island)
Conditions
Robert Stehlik: “Hawaii’s location in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and its predictable pattern of Easterly (&NE) trade winds make it ideal for downwinders…. The trade winds are most consistent in the summer months and can also be very good in spring and fall. Trade winds are least consistent in the Winter months (November through February), when they are often replaced by Kona wind and variable winds…”
- Hawaii Webcams
Trip Reports
Videos
- Not a ton of videos from the big island
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Races
Clubs/Associations
- HIPA Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association
- Moku O Hawai'i Association of canoe clubs on Hawai'i
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Wildlife
Other Islands
Uncommon Strong/Challenging Downwind Conditions on Southside
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