Great to be back on Maui this is like my 18 tour of Hawaii here for like 8 weeks. This was Kihei the other day, nuking 30+ knots
Got me a Custom 9ft x 21"inch Barracuda from Dave Kalama "super lite" (me a beginner KOOK foiler)
Went Jeremy Riggs flat water Pop-Ups yesterday at Kahului Harbour, very educational. I have been good friends with Jeremy Riggs for like 15 years already. Jeremy is the GOAT when it comes to being a coach his mannerism is Legendary 12/10
Even got me a sticker from DA FOIL MONSTA he film the session so you can work on your mistakes.
Hanging out with some great Maui friends, Kihei Run. Randy, Kathy & Tomoko
I'll be doing a lot of island hopping between Maui & Oahu as I still do Prone Paddleboard from a Surfers point of view Prone Paddleboarding complements Surfing especially when the sweep is firing on the Gold Coast Points you need to be a Strong Paddler.
Teaming up with My Brother From Another Mother Blair Thorndike for this years M20 - NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
I always travel with my surfboards the South Shore has been Pumping "I love Rice Bowls" that reef break is world class I've got it at 6ft & Pumping AND I always catch up with my Oahu friends at Ala Moana Bowl.
An old photo of me surfing the Burleigh Rocky photo by Wilba a professional photographer - So you can see I still love riding a Surfboard.
My old Boardriders Club Catherine Hill Bay (I was a member for like 20 years surfed for Catho against other Boardriders Clubs) are having there 50th in late August so looking forward to flying to Newcastle for that Night.
I enjoy Maui so much, I luv The People, The Place and The Vibe - I Named Both My Dogs Maui & Maliko, I luv my Dogs.
Been having a lot of FUN since Landing on the 10th June the wind has been NUKING 30-40 knots every day.
Been going to Jeremy Riggs Pop-Up class every week been 3 times already going to have a one on one next week "first Time I have ever been coaching in my life"
This is Kane one of THE BEST Downwind Foilers on Maui, him and his girlfriend Gaby are the best and I am very thankful for Gaby letting me borrow the AXIS 1201 wing as I only have the 1401 wing (me a Beginner KOOK) I should have grabbed the 1201 of Guy from SURF FX on the Gold Coast but I will be buying the 1201 when I get back home in August.
Parking at Kihei it's an 8 mile 12.8km Epic Downwind Run to Ulna Beach - I'm the ultimate beginner KOOK, slowly working SUP Downwind Foiling out, got a few awesome One Minute Glides yesterday a challenging journey. it's been great catching up with everyone.
Spoke with good mate Chris Pagdilao about the SUP Downwind Foil Journey "everyone suffers when learning at the beginning" Chris Pagdilao teaches Wing Foiling.
Here's an old photo from like 2014 when Mark Raaphorst, Chris Pagdilao, ironphil. Teamed up for the M2O Race Fun Times.
Kathy Shipman is a Weapon on a Water-women. Swam for State of Hawaii Butterfly, held the recored for some 25 years a young girl just broke Kathy's Butterfly record. Kathy's a great surfer I surfed with Kathy at Honolua Bay in 2017 it was pumping 6ft Kath is also a weapon on the SUP Foil super fast, BUT like me Kathy also is not into Winging.
These two women are weapons Devin & Big Wave JAWS Surfer Paige Alms. I have always luv'd hanging out with Devin she's a Hardcore water-women, smashes a lot of guys ego's You Go Girl.
I'll be bringing my 18ft SIC Downwind SUP back home to Australia going to hang her up in the Celling of the Lounge Room (Great Memories) YES Unlimited SUP Downwind is DEAD. SUP Foiling is where it's at. It's faster more Surfable and MORE FUN.
The Wind on Maui for the next 6 days
Yesterday Kihei was all time there was like 30 foilers paddling out to the wind line. Yesterdays Kihei Run has gave me some of the best Glides in my short Downwind foil journey, too date.
Been Super Blest this Maui Trip with Kihei turning on more so than ever. Kihei is a FUN PARK for the Elite foiler and also great for Learning to foil Downwind. Been going so fast Gliding on the Kihei Bumps with the AXIS 1201. I've had to learn to slow down to go fast, it's a Buzz Surfing the Kihei Bumps.
Been getting my Gluteus Maximus handed to me on the Maliko Runs, Maliko is so technical for the Beginner Kook foiler, super hard to get started. The young guys & girls get up super fast with the pump. If you Can Flat Water Pop-Up it makes Downwind Ocean Foiling so much easier to pump start. At this point I need the Swell to get me started that helps me pump to get Bump to Get Me Up on foil.
The good guys are doing Maliko in sub 30 minutes. Kane DeWilde did a Milko Run in 27 minutes BUT there's a fun Story behind that, why he went so Fast - But they are saying soon Guys will be doing a Maliko Run in like sub 25 minutes "LIKE WOW" how fast can one go on a Foilboard Downwind "LUV IT"
Also there's a Big South Swell on the way could get Ma'alaea firing again I'll have to borrow a surfboard of a Maui mate Legend John Gangini, John's surfing in Tonga at the moment, but will be home on Maui before this swell hit's Ma'alaea I'll be asking for a board in the 8ft+ range Ma'alaea is like KIRRA on Steroids. As I donated my old Black & White Sam Egan magic surfboard I'd leave under Mark Raaphorst place, to Clare Seeger Albino for the Youth of Molokai. in 2 weeks.
WOW, pretty heavy what happened to Zane Kekoa Schweitze. I have known Zane since he was like this 17yo Grommet with ADHD he's just a frother when playing in the ocean. I see a bit of Zane in me especially when the Waves Are PUMPING. I too froth like a little grommet with ADHD that's had a glass of Red Cottee's Cordial. The day of Zan's accident we ran into each other at Maliko Gulch just before his accident. It was great catching up with Zane we talked story for a while, Zan's full of ALOHA. I too had a similar incident with Dolphins but didn't get run over. Zane is very lucky not to be in a chair. He's going to make a fully recovery STOKED, Legend.
A Short Story while training for M2O in 2010:- From Snapper Rocks I'm just paddling along then all of a sudden this 3ft brown sea creature came from nowhere I s##t myself for a split second until I realized it was a short beaked common dolphin, then about 20+ short beaked common dolphins appeared out of nowhere. Size 2 1/2 - 4ft in length, light brown in colour with a thick white stripe down each side) Anyway what an awesome sight, I'm catching these little runners & the dolphins were riding the bow of my SIC f16 & then jumping out of the water and squeaking, then they'd come up beside my SIC f16 and do it again. This was just all-time for like 45 minutes. I only wished I had my GoPro camera on the nose of my SIC f16 just to film it, as that was National Geographic stuff. I haven't seen anything like this since I was surfing Jeffery's Bay, South Africa in 1994 - where there was around 150 Bottle Nose Dolphins surfing the waves in the line up - you've got to see that to believe it. It was a very humbling experience.
Classic I wonder where they got inspiration for that looks good though. Looks like you are scoring big time & Zane is already back in the gym wearing a back brace which just amazing.
Had a great Talk Story with this Guy after IMUA, seen him at Molokai2Oahu over the years mate what a Inspirational/Legend he got a top 3 finish in the Prone Paddleboard Division. Life's hard even when you've got everything going for you. Yet he's lost 2 legs one hand, 4 fingers & a thumb, Still Surfing.
It was great catching up with Kai Lenny. One of THE GREATEST WATERMAN Of All Time.
And a World Class Champion in like 6 different water disciplines. "I'll bet there's a 7th or even 8th"
1. Surfing
2. Windsurfing
3. Kitesurfing
4. SUP Surfing
5. Foil Surfing
6. XXL Big Wave Surfer
I have known Kai Lenny since he was this little Grommet Kai took me on my very first ever Maliko Run when the 12ft Prone Paddleboard was the in thing to Downwind on. I still love to go Downwind on a Prone Paddleboard it's just the Surfer in me (it's great fitness) but slow as in 5 minutes 50 seconds for a kilometre. Doing Molokai20ahu this Sunday on a 12ft Prone Paddleboard.
I did like 10 years on Naruto island Fiji as a Surfing/Lifeguard/Boatman (unreal gig) for a traveling surfer like me, loved it. Most of the years Kai Lenny and his family Martin, Pamela & Ridge would be holidaying on Namotu. So I get to know the Lenny family, great family - Got invited to the Lenny's Residence at Sugar Cove for a BBQ.
Kai has given me one of his JAWS Surfboards for the Gold Coast Surf World Museum for Public viewing STOKED. Kai had to rush off to South Africa yesterday so hears a photo of Kai's father Martin Lenny handing me one of Kai's JAWS surfboard.
And some Good NEWS Kai Lenny is riding AXIS, I'm a Big Fan of AXIS.
"I did like 10 years on Naruto island Fiji as a Surfing/Lifeguard/Boatman"
I've lived a pretty unique, rich life- no complaints here, but what a freaking dream that is. A testament to things working out when you're simply being authentic, doing what you love. Being able to live "that" isn't on most peoples radar- ain't no school guidance counselor is going to pitch that as a career option.
"I did like 10 years on Naruto island Fiji as a Surfing/Lifeguard/Boatman"
I've lived a pretty unique, rich life- no complaints here, but what a freaking dream that is. A testament to things working out when you're simply being authentic, doing what you love. Being able to live "that" isn't on most peoples radar- ain't no school guidance counselor is going to pitch that as a career option.
Life has been Great Holoholo:- done some amazing things and have been on some amazing adventures. Here are the Keys to Los Angeles City (in the form of Beer Coasters, I inherited them when my father past away). Mayor Tom Bradley gave the keys to LA city because Tom Bradley and my father were Great Mates. Mayor Tom Bradley (December 29, 1917 - September 29, 1998) was an American politician, athlete, police officer, and lawyer who served as the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles from 1973 to 1993. Tom Bradley was Los Angeles' first Black mayor, first liberal mayor, and longest-serving mayor. I have been drunk with Mayor Tom Braley he was Very Good Mates with my father Ric P Gregory. When you fly into LAX you'll see Los Angeles Airport named after Tom Bradley. I scattered my fathers ashes at Redhead Beach Newcastle and all over LAX as my father loved America. While I was on my way to southern Mexico good some great uncrowded waves down souther Mexico. I bring those coasters out when I have friends over for Dinner and a few Beers.
It was Great catching up with good friends Mark Raaphorst and Livio Manelau. Livio is great for a laugh when ever you talk story with him the blokes a Legend. Also it was great catching up with Armie Armstrong I've know Armie for like 12 years already. I remember when Armie was working on his Armstrong foilboards & Foils on Maliko in 2016 Armie has come along way Good Job Legend.
Even got to meet Keith Teboul of KT foilboards at Sugar Cove a very humbling nice guy.
Big Thank You to Gabriella for letting me use her AXIS 1201 as all I had was the AXIS 1401 for learning
This Maui trip was more of an Educational Downwind foil Holiday, I learnt a lot. I found the V2 Barracuda hard to stand on at first very tippy as I am used to having more foam in the tail BUT after a few weeks I found my balance -( I will order another V2Barracuda for next year with less litres & a few inches shorter) Kihei was the best for learning, Got some great Bumps/Glides. Ready now to go down to the AXIS Art v2 999 But I wanna try the NoLimitz V2 72cm Foil Mast as well.
I knew I was going to come last at the IMUA foil race "One" my paddle broke so I had to baby sit the shaft "two" I have a sports injury it happened about 2 weeks before I jumped on the plane to come to Maui, going under the knife when I get home. "three" me beginner foil kook (if you wanna catch the Bump you gotta learn to pump) hard to Pump with a Sports Injury. So I came second last in the race.
Going to do more Downwind foil practice runs at this sport a little over an hours drive south from home.
awesome man. good luck with the surgery and getting super fit after !!
G'day eppo if your ever on the Gold Coast contact me. I have a spare room at Burleigh, walking distance to everything.
Hanging out at the QANTAS Lounge Honolulu watching the Olympics, [eating like a Gluttony Pig]. I had to become a QANTAS member to save on Excess Baggage, the funny thing is, it cost $700 to become a QANTAS member plus a $150 dollar Joining fee "F@#en Scammers" just to save on Excess Baggage it still cost me like 2 Grand in Excess Baggage now Because you can't fly direct from Brisbane to Honolulu anymore since Covid they've cancelled all flights so now you've goto go via Sydney "PUNISH" Plus a Double "PUNISH" because I have to pay Excess Baggage Twice. = Try luging all your Gear around from Domestic to International, Like (Help Me Please Mr Wizard) OH Well, If You Wanna Play You Have To Pay.
Being Greeted By My Dogs, Maui & Maliko. After being in Hawaii for 8 weeks.
Nothin like coming home to your dogs. They love unconditionally. I saw you a few times on my weekend downwinders. Foil Downwinders are challenging to learn. Similarities between the big 17' boards we all rode a few years ago. The difference is now we are going warp speed above the surface. Reading the bumps is an advantage however decisions have to be made faster. Stick with it. The payoff is amazing. I'm 65 and loving it! Cheers ??
Nothin like coming home to your dogs. They love unconditionally. I saw you a few times on my weekend downwinders. Foil Downwinders are challenging to learn. Similarities between the big 17' boards we all rode a few years ago. The difference is now we are going warp speed above the surface. Reading the bumps is an advantage however decisions have to be made faster. Stick with it. The payoff is amazing. I'm 65 and loving it! Cheers ??
G'day SupMaui & 65 awesome, I had a lot of fun getting my Gluteus Maximus handed to me; some days I even invented some new swear words while I was out there floundering around Maliko on my lonesome hahaha. Spoke with many of my Maui friends who are Good at Downwind Foiling it took them a while to workout; like 2 years even good friend Alan Cadiz said it took him around 80 Maliko's to work it out and Alan is a weapon. Alan even kept a Diary we both laughed about the Diary Because I'm doing the same thing (what are we shiela's). In the end I was getting up to 5 minute Glides then I'd breach and eat s@#t, so slowly working it out (one guy I met took him 2 years to do a dry Maliko run) Looking forward to seeing where I'm at on day 80. See ya next June/July SupMaui.
After wanting to do it a while, I finally just bought a used board and am starting my DW journey now. I've seen some really talented guys struggle. 1 flatware session, a few quick shore runners. Really daunting, humbling... gonna take some time and pain, but looks too free and fun not to not give it a good crack. Guess I'll get to work and learn to embrace the struggle...