Thursday, March 28, 2013

Cape Town Cold UK and Maui

South Africa

Once again I have been pretty lucky to get away to cape town this winter.  It gave me a good opportunity to really test out my knee.  Hats of to my Physio and Surgeon for all the help.   I even found I was sailing better with out the knee brace.  Winner!

It was a very different trip to last time I was in cape town.  Slowly getting back into full power sailing, then light winds for the latter half of my trip.  This led to me exploring the cape, surfing, climbing and venturing into the city more.  I highly recommend  the place to anyone looking for a varied amount of traveling as well as enjoy some world class sailing.  In one of my better moments, I  managed to destroy my hard drive!  So excuse the lack of  cape town photos.

 Final Sunset session 

Sunset
 Cape Point
Climbing Lions Head overlooking the city
Back to the UK

The days before I got back to the UK I noticed there was a decent NE wind. I was pretty excited as one of my home spots goes off for jumping in these conditions. So on my last day after bashing some balls off on a South African driving range in shorts and T-shirt I got on the the plan back to the UK . I was greeted by a snow blizzard and a flat battery in my van!! Ever the optimist I headed to the beach a couple of days later.  Not being able to feel my hands after 5 minutes, I took the elective decision not to go sailing and wait for Maui. Where sailing in board shorts seems to be pretty standard.


My home spot Bawdsey.  Not so inviting once it starts snowing!
Maui

I've been in Maui for a week now.  One of the most chilled out places I've visited. No wind at the start of the trip but plenty of surfing.   My first day the faces at Hookipa were a little over mast and glassy, perfect for surfing . Being a little intimidated I elected not to go for a surf, as the inevitable beating  I would take along with jet lag would not have gone well.  Since then we have had  few medium wave windsurfing days at Hookipa by Maui standards - pretty big if you ask me!  The swells finally kicking in next week.  Hopefully I wont be visiting Hookipa's famous rocks.





Hookipa on the second day with a little less swell



Getting started at Hookipa