Chris woke us early after a fantastic nights sleep. The sun was rising over the mountain and just peeping into our windows. The beach and sea outside looked very inviting so we all headed straight out for a run along the beach towards Kihei. We ran east and then south along Sugar beach. The beach itself was marrow and the sand was soft, making it hard work.
On the return run we followed a board walk at the back of the beach that passed next to a series of nature conservation ponds where we saw stilts and coots.
Back on the beach we ran along the back of the sand, dodging the waves at high tide. A small sanderling was busy scuttling up and down the beach, just above the edge of the waves.
It was very hot and sticky so back at Kana'ia Nalu we dived into the sea for a quick swim, out round the buoy and back, and then home for a sumptuous breakfast of bacon and mushroom muffins with fruit salad.
Mike then embarked on a search to find windsurfers to hire. This seemed to be going well when he discovered the web site for Matt Pritchard, former world windsurfing champion. He had equipment to hire very reasonably but his website had no address and the phone number was continually engaged. Mike sent an email without any expectation of a reply. We packed some lunch and were just setting off rather gloomily to browse the streets of Kahului for windsurfers to hire, when an email pinged in - Matt was living in Haiku had a 'Garage full of toys' for us to hire!
Great news. We set off for the north coast and arrived just a couple of minutes after the agreed time.
Matt did indeed have lots of toys in his garage including two windsurfers, four sails in a range of sizes and all necessary accessories. He was a thoroughly nice chap and very happy to advise us and give the boys tips on windsurfing.
All equipment loaded onto the roof and into the boot we set off for Kanaha beach, just north of the airport.
Despite a lukewarm mention in our 'Maui Revealed' guide, this was a stupendous beach. Miles of golden sand, back by trees and bushes and by a large shaded grassy area, ideal for rigging windsurfers etc.
The afternoon was a blast. Literally.
The car park was full, the grassy area covered with windsurfer sails and the whole place was buzzing with people of all ages and sizes going windsurfing. There were lots of youngsters but also a strikingly large number of men and women in their 50s and 60s, clearly a group who had windsurfed here regularly for many years.
Kanaha was described in the map as a beach for 'Windsurfer beginners'. Compared to Ho'okipa, maybe, but compared to the rest of the world, these people were experts! We watch as they strolled down the beach, board and rig casually hoisted onto a shoulder. They dropped it onto the water, hopped on and effortlessly flew away! Quite amazing and humbling.
Whilst B&K enjoyed the beautiful beach and considerable people watching opportunities, the boys got to grips with their hired boards and were soon flying across the bay in style. The wind was about force 6, so there were plenty of white horses and distant surf visible. Looking down the beach, the more expert windsurfers were further west and the kite surfers were beyond them. Dozens of them, all looking like a cloud of fast moving coloured butterflies.
Bill hopped on for a quick go but the wind was too much and he returned back to beach camp after a few metres. At least his brief windsurf was captured on film!
The boys paused for picnic lunch, water and snacks and posing for endless photographs. B and K watched, swam and read, until the light faded, most other beach goers had gone home and Mike and Chris were exhausted. We packed up and headed back to our apartment for steak and salad.
After dinner we browsed our photos, played 'Maui!' and made plans for the next couple of days.