Split Decisions

It has been another fun week spent on Maui. We kicked things off with a return trip to the other side of the island to partake in some mischievous friday nightlife.After the hour drive we quickly found we were the only ones in the club. Not to be derailed we managed to force a few Ketle One sodas with a splash of cran to make the trip worthwhile. We decided then and there that we would bring the party to us and Ian quickly planned a BBQ at his house for saturday night. With containers full of raw meats, coolers full of beers, and a handle of vodka in the freezer this was one well planned event. That was until the propane for the grill ran out with a full grill of undercooked meat. Luckily Ian is a cooking nerd and quickly moved various dishes to the stovetop and oven. A little time was lost but dinner would be served and impressive. The party would continue throughout the night with a cut-throught winner take all billiards tournament that I had neither the skill or patience to see who would be champion. When the parties were finished the waves were still mediocre so we decided to play a round of golf, Ian, Mark, and myself. A quick nine holes at the local country club and some quality shots made for a great time. Ian managed to luck out a birdie and a few pars and Mark even made a putt longer than most of his drives. Passing time waiting for swells is something common in the life of every surfer and often makes for some great adventures and experiences but it is still waiting. We are constantly searching the weather maps and swell forecasts in anticipation and finally found some swell. Monday morning and Maui was six feet and building and Honolua bay was good. Ian had the truck packed at six a.m. and we were on our way. We almost made it fifteen minutes of the hour drive to the bay when Walsh got the call. Tahiti had a huge swell coming wednesday and he needed to be there. A few calls to Shane and travel agents and the truck is turned around. Just enough time to eat some breakfast, discuss the swell and travel plans, pack, and off to the airport for an 11:00 a.m. flight to LAX. Only time will tell if this decision will lead to another groundbreaking session...

Tahiti 3/17/2010 from Justin Clark on Vimeo.

Relaxing Week on Maui

It is Sunday March 7, 2010 and I have already had to write these first few words over again as I keep misspelling them trying to type in a windstorm. The past few days on the valley isle have been some of the windiest in recent memories and not particularly great in terms of surfing conditions. Nonetheless, Maui is still a tropical island and we would not be denied a good time. We began the week with a few drinks at a local pizza bar which quickly became a few more drinks at a techno club on the other side of the island. Once the vodka hit low tide and the dancing (in ladies laps) had come to an end it was a tomato flying lap through Jack in the Box before heading home. Needing to wash the previous nights events off, along with the evidence, we snuck down to a waterfall just down the street from both of our houses. Walsh comes prepared like he is gonna tow us into the falls but I soon realize he is just making the climb back up a little easier with his fluorescent colored thick rope complete with a triangle handle. After a few jumps and good laughs we head home for some battles on the backgammon table. No money is ever won or lost, just pride and bragging rights handed back and forth. I decide to let Ian win this round but we both know it will not be the last. A few drinks, beautiful waterfalls, and time with friends, Maui is not such a bad place, even when the winds are blowing a gale...

Waterfall Jumping from Justin Clark on Vimeo.