Windsurfing, blow holes, waterfalls and caves

Maui has been good but there haven't been any significant swells while being here and the forecast has still been a little on and off with the cloud cover and rain. Even still, I have sailed most days, had some good jumping practise and reasonable size Ho'okipa sessions. I also joined in on the International Simmer shoot at Ho'okipa 2 days ago, using the 4.5 new Icon, which I loved-nice and powerful but stable! Here are some shots from Jimmie Hepp and our gopro, and Sarah Hauser for the in water shot.

We also went on a snorkel boat trip to Molokai and Lanai, which was amazing! The water is so clear and there are so many tropical fish to see, plus turtles, eels and even a reef shark! We also saw dolphins and whales too. It was good to practise my free diving in warm water as opposed to in the UK with 5mm neoprene and weights!

On another no wind day we drove the long winding road to Hana, with stops along the way at waterfalls, blowholes, swimming in caves and of course stopping for the tastiest banana bread! It had rained a lot so the waterfalls were pretty full and we didn't end up swimming in them, but still had great fun exploring!

Only 3 days left on Maui! Time has flown by! Time to check the conditions...

Maui antics!

Well I have lots of photos to post, so I'll let them do the talking! Ho'okipa,shots from Jimmie Hepp and our new camera:

Bit of surfing too at Ho'okipa:

Jumping at Sprecks, was sooo windy I needed my 3.4 but only have 3.7 here!

Giving the Simmer Frugal a blast at Kanaha. I need to give it another go but first impressions are good! Early planing and good volume in the tail to rescue some late hits wave riding. I am going to move the fins a bit and try another day.

Beach party at Little beach, body surfing, nakedness and fire!

Also managed to fit in a sweaty run on a no wind day...

I'm ENGAGED!! .....and some shots from Ho'okipa!

Wow, I have had an incredible week and a half out here already, the highlight being getting engaged on my 27th Birthday on top of the 10,000ft Haleakala volcano! Stef succeeded in suprising me very well as he tried to persuade our friends to go up for my Birthday on the rainiest, cloudiest day. I didn't get the hints of Jade buying Champagne, his insistancy on going up, or my idea to ask people coming down whether we could actually see anything at the top...and his refusing to! When we got to the top it was pretty cloudy and there wasn't much light left, but he got down on one knee and asked the question...and I said YES!! There was an amazing sunset, people clapping and hooting their horns, Champagne (which we actually lost half of when it popped due to the pressure!) and drinks and a lovely meal at Flatbread afterwards. Here are some pictures:

Birthday Cake!

Jade looking smug on the way up...she knows what is coming!

So, Stef and I are pretty stoked!! We have been windsurfing and surfing too! Here are some shots from Ho'okipa from Jimmie Hepp and Tom Malin-thank you!

Some geckos outside our house...

Australia Video!

Here is a little edit from Australia, the spots sailed are Coronation beach, Sunsets and Margaret River. It is fairly gopro footage heavy as Coronation reef is quite far out to film! I hope you enjoy it, especially anyone learning backloops- remember back hand back! (Unlike I am doing! ha ha) I'll get one soon hopefully!

Sarah Bibby K349 in Australia 2014 a Windsurfing video by sarahk349

My video was also shared on Boards with a short article, HERE

Continent Seven, HERE

and Boardseeker, in a 'Beenen versus Bibby' playoff! HERE!

I had a nice couple of surfs in Newquay and Harlyn last weekend whilst visiting some friends and my new little nephew, surfing was a little different wearing full neoprene! I also had the chance to try the C-Skins Nx Gen gloves (like thick rubber gloves), and they were super warm! 3 weeks of work is almost over, and I'll be heading to Maui on the 18th! I'll keep you posted!