PHOTOS: Hookipa Surfers Shred Late-Afternoon Waves

By Madeline Ziecker

A surfer at Hookipa Beach in early evening. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.

Several North Shore surfers convened at Hookipa Beach Park on Wednesday, January 11 to enjoy an afternoon surf session riding 8 to 12 foot waves.

Ho’okipa regulars were seen entering and exiting the water, including local band Freeradicals Projekt’s guitarist Rama Covarrubias and founder of The Butterfly Effect annual Maui women’s surf event, Tatiana Howard.

Spectators arrived near sunset to watch surfers from the cliff above Hookipa and from along the beach below.

At 5 p.m., approximately 20 surfers drifted in the water over inconsistent sets of medium-sized waves.

Underwater photographers were visible through the clear waves, handling their bulky, yellow, waterproof casings while snapping shots of surfers gliding on and off of waves.

When the larger sets rolled  in, some surfers had already spent their energy for the day and headed to shore, tired but content.

Late-comers and those who chose to stay for the day’s grand finale began to crowd in on big waves, one after the other until the sun faded and the water became cold and less inviting.

Despite the after-surf chill from the cold water, said Yoav, a frequent Hookipa surfer, “Today, I caught the wave of my life.”

See page 2 for more photos from Hookipa Beach Park on Wednesday, January 11.

A surfer stretching before entering the water. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD Two surfers checking conditions before paddling out. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.
Surf traffic. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	One surfer is on his way in, and the other out. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.
Tatiana Howard checks the surf. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	Photo by Madeline Ziecker.
Two surfers share a wave. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD Photo by Madeline Ziecker.
A stand up paddle boarder rips across a Hookipa wave. Photo by Madeline Ziecker.	Photo by Madeline Ziecker.