wildwahinepaddler

The day started out much like yesterday, with a slight breeze blowing from the North.  But today, ten or fifteen minutes into my paddle, the wind disappeared!  Conditions got very glassy and perfect.  While I was paddling past Kam I, two beginner paddlers went by me and said, “You look like a Pro”, so I laughed to myself and said, “No, I am not a Pro, but if you keep paddling, you will get the hang of it too!”  It was so funny.  I continued on paddling down to the boat ramp and was really enjoying the nice conditions, so smooth.  About  the time I got there, a turtle popped up to say good morning!  Then another turtle surfaced on one side and then another on the other side.  I was ecstatic!  But that wasn’t the end, two more turtles surfaced too and then dove under my board!  That was a total of five.  Suddenly I saw another turtle just out a bit further, so I paddled out to it.  When I got to where it was, it surfaced and I noticed a tumor or growth on it’s head!  I don’t like it when I see that.  Hopefully it will be alright.  Paddling back was smooth as well, with just a few interesting bumps to paddle over, what a beautiful summer day!

Started out so calm!

So this is how the morning started out, really calm.  Ten minutes into my paddle, up came a breeze from the North, which was fine since that is the direction I was going!  On the way down to the boat ramp I noticed the once very green mountain, had now turned mostly shades of brown.  Soon it will be fire season and I am not looking forward to that!  The island of Kahoolawe and Molikini Crater were very visible today, as you can see them in the photo.  Down at the boat ramp there was a group of kayakers congregating, but I never saw even one turtle.  Paddling back was a fun and exhilarating experience, as I paddled against the North wind and over lots of bumps!  Not much time for stopping to take in the scenery.  Well, maybe tomorrow!

A beautiful morning for the beach!  I paddled in calm water down to Cove Park, and when I made the turn to head south,  I spotted some dolphins outside of Kam I!  I really wanted to see them up closer so I paddled out where they were, but they were moving fast and I realized they were heading out to sea.  Maybe next time I will get to paddle with them!  By the time I headed into Kam III, I saw a turtle in front of me,  but it swam down when I got to it.  Then I  headed to the boat ramp and the water was crystal clear!  Luckily I had attached my mask and snorkel to my thigh today, so I went swimming and snorkeling!  I sure love looking at all the coral and watching the fish scurrying around and chasing each other.  It makes me feel like I am temporarily in another world ….. one free of any thing I need to think or worry about.  Sometimes I really need that!  When I paddled back, I had really good energy because of my swim, and just when I was heading into Kam III, I saw another turtle.  This time it was a large one and friendly too!  Ah, what a great day!

Although a beautiful morning, it was also a windy morning.  The wind was blowing from the south creating some chop, but it was still very enjoyable.  I paddled down to the boat ramp and when I got there, I spotted a turtle.  It was swimming just below the surface, so I followed it for a while. The water was so clear I could see its every move.  I was so happy to see such a healthy, vivacious turtle!  I paddled out further and paddled back from out  there.  The wind continued to blow and I took advantage of the boost!  I am glad that every day is different because it keeps things interesting!

Another beautiful morning here on Maui!  When I first went out paddling, the water was not as glassy as it was yesterday, but still very nice.  By the time I got down to the boat ramp, the wind backed off and it was glassy!  I decided to just hang out for a while down there, and as I was sitting on my board, a turtle appeared out of nowhere.  Then another one appeared, and then another one!  I was thrilled to see some turtles!  One of the larger ones started to swim right towards me so I stayed as still as I could.  It swam right along the right side of my board, then went under my board and then popped its head up behind me!  All three hung out with me for about ten minutes and then went their separate ways.  I love turtles!  My swim was just as nice and the wind stayed mellow.  I love Maui!

Another perfect Maui morning!

Wow, another beautiful Maui morning and the conditions could not have been more perfect!  The water is so clear right now, it is amazing.  As I paddled down to the boat ramp, I noticed that the top of Haleakala was completely clear and the sun was glowing above it.  In contrast, on the other side, the island of Kahoolawe was covered with dark clouds and it looked like it was raining like crazy.  The water was so calm and glassy, it was almost effortless to paddle! I was on the look out for turtles, but none of them showed up today.  During my swim down to the rocks and reef, I did see an array of tropical fish and even a crab scurrying along the ocean floor!  What an enjoyable morning!

Wow, what a perfect day for paddling and swimming!  Sunny skies and a slight wind blowing from the south and a current rolling from the north…. I couldn’t have asked for better conditions.  Paddling down to the boat ramp was really fun with the current pushing me and the wind kept me cool.  I still didn’t see any turtles today, but I enjoyed being out on the water anyway.  When I returned, the conditions were still perfect, so my swim was equally enjoyable!  I swam down to the point where the rocks and coral are and saw lots of  fish.  Thank goodness the water has cleared up again.  I loved it!

Beautiful Maui Sunset!

It was a beautiful morning for paddling with a breeze blowing from the south. We had intermittent sun and clouds and some  clouds were hanging over the top of Haleakala.  The island of Kahoolawe and Molikini crater were  in clear view, while Lanai was shrouded in a mix of vog and clouds.  I paddled down to the boat ramp and conditions were very nice.  I looked for sea creatures, but no luck today!  My swim was nice too, but the visibility was moderate.  The wind kicked up a notch after I ended my swim, and by noon it had become a sea of white caps.  I hope you enjoy the Maui sunset!

It dawned on my this morning that this month marks my two year anniversary with paddling!  It’s been two years since I first tried out SUP and got my own board and I still love it!  Today was a perfect morning as you can see by the photo, but ten minutes into my paddling workout, up came a northwest wind.  It was fine paddling down to the boat ramp since I was paddling with the wind, but when I got there the wind backed off.  It got really calm, and suddenly I saw two turtles!  One of them was only about 18 inches long and so cute.  The babies are really cute and spunky.  I decided to hang out there for awhile since it got so nice, and suddenly I was in the middle of a group of turtles!  There were about six of them all around me and I was in turtle heaven.  The wind stayed out further for most of my paddle back, and it was nice when I swam too.  Just about the time I was coming in from swimming, the northwest wind kicked up again and created a sea of white caps.  I was just in time!

It started out a perfect morning!

Yesterday was just as perfect as today.  Just a little bit of overcast which made my paddling  workout cooler.  The ocean was calm and glassy and paddling was a joy!  When I got down to the boat ramp, it was so peaceful.  I just sat on my board and enjoyed the moment.  I was just saying to myself that it would be really nice to see turtles today,  and then all of a sudden a turtle popped up on the right side of my board and almost immediately another turtle popped up on the left side of my board!  It was so funny.  Then I ran into a paddling friend and we chatted briefly.  Paddling back was so calm and serene with no jet skis interrupting my peace.  When I got back, my swim was just as nice and then the wind started to come in creating white caps.  I finally timed it all perfect today!