The Ho’okipa season has officially started. The wind and the swells are here, which means, windsurfers also are back.

It looks like Ho’okipa is going to have an eventful season this year. With AWT announcing that PWA will be joining them at Ho’okipa for the 2013 JP Aloha Classic from the 24^th of October until November 6^th, Ho’okipa is going to be the spot to be again this season!

The contest will feature Hot Sails Maui riders Kauli Seadi, Morgan Noireaux, Chris Freeman, and a host of other local riders like 2011 masters’ winner, Jeffrey Henderson.

When wind and swells are reporting their arrival, it is not only the windsurfers who are being spotted. The popular photographer Jimmie Hepp makes his daily arrival on the spot.

“The season is starting early this year and we have the Aloha Classic coming so it is getting over crowded already, and the pros aren’t even here yet!!!   Conditions have been so so, but workable with around 35-50 sails out at high session. The riders are serious about their jobs.  They have a contest coming and they have me watching them so they are going big…as I ask them to do.”

Jimmie started his career back in 2010 when be moved from Lahaina to Makawao. For the fourth year in a row, Jimmie has been catching every windsurfing move, and he is not stopping!

“ I usually get to Ho’okipa between 11-12 and shoot until as late as 4.  In that time if it’s a good day I’ll shoot up to 1200 shots but lately the average has been closer to 800.

That is step one.  Step two is the download and edit.  That takes up to 6 hours so I’m usually sitting here from 7-1AM with a few breaks for dinner etc.  I usually finish the entire day in that time but during the high season I sometimes have to get up early to finish the previous day. 

Everyone is stoked that we are finally getting away from the sucky summer.  For me it was awful!!  No waves and nothing else to shoot so I spent a lot of time working at home.  I couldn’t be happier!!”

And Hot Sails Maui is defiantly also in the lens of Jimmie Hepp’s camera:

“Hot Sails Maui, has increased their presence a lot.  I see many more this year so far than last year.  The sails are attractive and easy for me to see and shoot.  The riders, like team rider Morgan have stepped it up a notch or two. I expect him to be on most of the podiums he’s reaching for.”

Team rider Morgan also had something to say about the season starting at Ho’okipa:

“September was a pretty slow month for waves and wind in Maui standards. If we’re lucky we get a few early swell. This September has been good. There have been a few days without wind and waves but some real swells have begun to role in. I’ve been sailing regularly. I’ve basically used the same set of gear this whole month. a 4.5 QU4D and an 85 liter JP quad board.”

Authors: Louise