No Eddie and Jaws Contest with Slightly Smaller Swell

By Carlos Rock

Huge swells didn’t quite materialize to the forecasted heights around the New Year’s period, but there were plenty of waves to go around. The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational and the Red Bull Jaws Contest didn’t go ahead as well due to the iffy conditions on the forecasted big days.

Although surf heights did not reach the expected 40 feet, Jaws was awakened once again for a crew of big wave chargers ready to stroke into the big blue walls at Peahi.

Honolua Bay, the best wave on Maui awakens with NW swells. Photo: Carlos Rock.

Among them was Maui’s own Kai Lenny who has tackled Jaws at the tender age of 18. He has ridden the place on a wide array of equipment ranging from windsurfing, SUP, and regular old paddle power. The kid has the whole package and is starting a new rise of athletes who can literally do it all.

There was also plenty of action on the west side of Maui as surfers flocked to the prestigious Honolua Bay to get away from the big size of the swell only to be greeted with head high walls and a hundred other frothing surfers. It got pretty competitive out there as the inconsistent swell produced long waits, but when the good ones came in, they were great.

New Year’s Eve was seeing some great surf as the outer reefs were breaking and Ho’okipa was still closing out huge. Light winds are also making some great conditions so get out there while it lasts.

There are plenty more swells on the horizon as winter swells are likely to persist until February and March.

No complaints from the surf department mainly because 95% of surfers aren’t trying to tackle the 30 footers. 10 feet is good enough for most surfers looking to fulfill the adrenaline rush needed from surfing.

One reason that the huge swells didn’t show up completely on Maui is because the swell may have been too westerly. This means that Maui could have only received the outside of the swell or Maui suffered from outer island blockage from Molokai and Lanai.

This is what happens when the swell forecast reads WNW instead of N or NW. No need for alarm as more NW swells in the 8-15 foot range are expected to come in for the rest of the week following New Year’s Day.

Looks like 2013 is about to start on a good note with great swells.

Happy new year everyone.