Maui - Hawaii - page 655

THE ULTIMATE WAVE
When this monster rears its powerful head, it's big, fast and mean enough to
crunch bones. What is it? Jaws , Maui's famous big-wave surf spot near Haʻiku
( Click here ). A few times a year, strong winter storms off the coast of Japan gener-
ate an abundance of energy that races unimpeded across the Pacific Ocean to
Hawaii's shores, translating into the planet's biggest rideable waves.
News of the mammoth swells, which reach as high as a seven-story building, at-
tracts gutsy surfers from all over the state and beyond. Unfortunately, there's no
legitimate public access to the cliffs that look out toward Jaws, as getting to them
requires crossing privately owned agricultural land.
When Jaws (also known locally as Peʻahi) is up, it's impossible for surfers to
paddle through the break to catch a ride. But where there's a thrill, there's a way.
Tow-in surfers work in pairs, using wave runners to get people and their boards
beyond the break. When a wave runner is outmatched, surfers get dropped into
the ocean from a helicopter.
There are myriad opportunities for big-wave surfers to get hurt or killed. The in-
sanely powerful waves can wash surfers into rocks, throw them into their wave run-
ners, knock them against their surfboards or simply pummel them with the force
of all that moving water. That said, these guys are pros and are very good at skirt-
ing the perils.
Beaches
Hoʻokipa Beach Park & Lookout BEACH
Hoʻokipa is to daredevil windsurfers what Everest is to climbers. The world's premier
windsurfing beach, it has strong currents, dangerous shorebreaks and razor-sharp coral to
offer the ultimate challenge.
Hoʻokipa is also one of Maui's prime surfing spots. Winter sees the biggest waves for
board surfers, and summer has the most consistent winds for windsurfers. To prevent in-
tersport beefs, surfers typically hit the waves in the morning and the windsurfers take
over during the afternoon.
The action in the water is suitable for pros only. But a hilltop perch overlooking the
beach offers spectators a bird's-eye view of the world's top windsurfers doing their
death-defying stuff. Hoʻokipa is just before mile marker 9 on the Hana Hwy; to reach the
lookout above the beach take the driveway at the east side of the park.
HA Baldwin Beach Park BEACH