Last night saw the opening registration and party for the Makani Classic (hosted by Neil Pryde & Maui Ultra Fins) which marked the start of the 2012 AWT finale. A season which kicked off in Maui in California and took stops in Oregon, Mexico, North Carolin and Peru not focusses on the traditional home of wave sailing. With big surf projected to hit the Hawaiian Islands sometime tomorrow there could be no better way to conclude this pure wave riding tour. 119 competitors now await the draws to be published by Head Judge Matt Pritchard and you will see quite a list of riders when they are published. All divisions are packed with talent and as typical seeding from mainland events will give little protection to the tour leaders as the Maui based crew turn out to challenge for the title.

There really is no easy heat during a Ho’okipa contest and with 6-8ft surf (this will potentially result in mast to mast and a half surf at Ho’okipa) expected to arrive Ho’okipa will be turned into a arena and produce an amazing specticle for our sport which will showcase the talents of all and with Live Streaming (also archived) the world will be watching.