Best Windsurfers Here for Maui Makani Classic

By Rodney S. Yap

Every household name in windsurfing has, at one stage or another, come to cut their teeth on Maui’s north shore playground. To sail here is a right of passage and every grom, amateur and hopeful pro alike dreams of one day being inducted into the much coveted Ho’okipa hall of fame.

The American Windsurfing Tour (AWT) presents the Maui Makani Classic, the final leg of their six-stop 2012 tour, starting today at Ho’okipa Beach Park. The one-week holding period concludes on Nov. 3.

Maui and Ho’okipa are synonymous with images of windsurfers flying high at the world’s most infamous and challenging windsurfing beach. This relatively small stretch of Maui’s north shore coast has captured the imagination of thousands of hopeful wave sailors who dream of having the opportunity to train and ultimately prove themselves here, the true Mecca of windsurfing.

The Maui Makani Classic 2012, the final tour stop of the AWT this year, is only in its second year, but has already served notice as the potential Super Bowl on the windsurfing calendar.

One hundred of the world’s top competitors, representing 23 nations, will be vying for more than $5,000 in prize money. The talent will be divided in six divisions:  Pro, Amateur, Women, Youth, Masters and Grand Masters.

Among the notable pros are Kai Lenny, Josh Stone, Levi Siver, Kevin Pritchard, Camille Juban, Kai Katchadourian, Robby Swift, Levi Siver, Graham Ezzy, Camille Juban, Ann-Marie Reichman, and Junko Nagoshi.

The Pro division is neck and neck between Levi Siver, the Maui local, versus Guadalupe national and last year’s Ho’okipa champion, Camille Juban.

For the first time at an AWT event there will be live webcasting of all the heats. The heats will be streamed through the AWT website; www.americanwindsurfingtour.com with live commentary and guest chats with the stars of the event.

Ho’okipa Beach Park, the site of the Maui Makani Classic. Photo by American Windsurfing Tour.

Schedule of Events

Today

Opening Ceremony at Ho’okipa 10 a.m.

Flatbread: Dinner 10% off for competitors and friends

Charley’s After Party

Friday Oct. 26

Open Night

Saturday, Oct. 27

Kanaha Kai Windsurfing Party II (Hot Sails Maui & Kanaha Kai Party)

Sunday, Oct. 28

Quatro/Goya Party at Pauwella Cannery

Monday, Oct. 29

Open Night

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Colleen’s in Haiku. Burger and Beer night.

Happy Hour all night

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Halloween in Lahaina

Thursday, Nov. 1

Open night

Friday, Nov. 2

First Friday in Wailuku

Saturday, Nov. 3

Closing Ceremonies for Maui Makani Classic at Maui Tropical Plantation 7-10 p.m.