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Mark Hollenstein off to Switzerland via Oahu 
14.06.04
Sadly Mark Hollenstein, the founder of the Wellingtonwindsurfers
website and co-organiser of the Taranaki Wave Classic and the Wellington
Freewave has left New Zealand permanantly. Mark is returning to his
native country Switzerland to focus on his career. The Wellington
Windsurfing community and in fact the whole New Zealand windsurfing
community will miss Mark's enthusiasm for the sport, the energy he put
into organising events, roadtrips, and providing us with Plimmy reports.
Mark has left a huge gap and we hope he and Simone return someday soon.
On a brighter note, Mark will be keeping us in touch with what
he is up to, starting with this postcard from Oahu where he is stopping
off on his way home.
Mark in one of his favourite positions at Plimmy - B. Zuur
DAY 1
Hello guys,
First day here, sailed logo high on 5.0, the wave is really grunty,
EXTREMELY gusty on the inside, you would be history with the small
board. I rate it way more than Hookipa. The island is nice, bloody
Honolulu is mega packed with people, its all a bit urban here, the
hostel is one hell of a dump, not sure if I can hold through until
Monday with this accom. I cant believe them americans are driving
around
with US flags hanging from their cars and all, you can see why there
is a chance G.Bush might get elected again unfort. Would be A LOT
more fun if you guys would be here also !!!!!!!
DAY 2
Today I took a beating !, M#$!therbit%$#
There was 6 guys out only, same as yesterday. one of them was ScottCarvill.
Again, 5.3 weather, logohigh, bloody excellent. Gazza
is right, the big board is a pain in the ass on the wave, but with
small board you wouldnt be able to sail it. Going out you really need
volume,
once on the wave you want a 65 liter board !!!! Even Scott C. is using
something like a 80 - 85 liter board. (And yes, he too misses the
occasional gybe or gets flicked !!!) Very relaxed atmosphere, as all
windsurfers are locals of our age, you dont get the aggression like
on
Hookipa, everyone is relaxed its really cool. Got absolutely trashed
a few times, and I am consistenlty going too late for the bottom turn,
the
thing is pretty fast.
It's a great place to sail , and I have had two excellent days, it
really does look like in the mags and on movies when you are on the
wave and all, but to be honest..... my best waveride in last 7 days
was still over at TORA. Also, I am missing NZ sailing already as it
is very versatile, one day its jumping, then its downthe line and
all, in a place like here you sail exactly the same conditions year
in year out and I could see how that gets a bit boring after a few
years. I have NOT seen anyone do a jump or anything in 2 days ! NZ
rules !!!
DAY 3
Cool. 3 out of 3 !! Sailed "Toes" today, which apparently
is Josh Stones favourite spot, it was small but its a wicked little
wave. Definitely carnage on a big day. Great place, definitely good
Maui alternative. I am hearing some way off the scale stories about
the northshore, and it seems anyone who sails backyards etc. on a
big day must be out of their mind. (No punters who are telling these
stories.)
DAY 4
Sailed Toes again today, again, super light, but once on wave its
like being on a freight train. 4 out of 4, its insane, they are predicting
a
big swell for the weekend (Help !!) I have yet to check out the northshore
beaches, which will of course be flat at this time of year. Kailua
is nice, havent spotted Robby yet, windsurfing is extremely low profile
here on Maui, I see the same 6 dudes at the beach every day, and thats
about as many guys there is here at the southshore. Unbelievable.
The accom remains to be a total dump, but I will be holding out (Dave
!!)
DAY 6
6th day, and 6 out of 6. They are telling me I am quite lucky. Sailed
Toes again today, getting a bit used to the tack now. Happy with conditions,
as drove to Northshore to check out famous pipeline and sunset and
all, but theres more swell on a calm day on the Pahatanui Inlet than
there was there today, so it must be ABSOLUTELY FLAT on Maui, whilst
I have been sailing head to logo high 6 days in a row here on southcoast,
fantastic !!! Teamed up with Pascal B. an ex swiss dude who has been
living here for 7 years, and he is one of the hottest sailors on the
island, easily pulling off every Wave 360, Gu screw, one handed-aerial,
aerial-into-forward loop etc. very impressive indeed. Other not so
notable sailors out there are ANY american sailors, as they are always
the ones sailing with gloves and sunnies. We did some watershots today,
and if there is anything worth scanning I will do so in Switzerland
and forward on to you guys. Tomorrow is my last day, hopefully I will
get one more in (to make a pig out of myself), leaving tomorrow nite.
My body is hurting, good time for some R&R back in Switzerland,
its been a fantastic week, and if you are into down the line, light
wind, relatively uncrowded wavesailing you will like this place. BRING
FLOATY BOARD !
DAY 7
motherb%^
7 out of 7, I am truly rooted now. I today learned a valuable lesson
that its not good to get cought on the inside. The remainders of my
beloved 5.4 are now in a garbage bin at Diamond Head. Its been an
epic week, loggin off now from here, and wish you guys all the best.
See you soon!
Aloha
M
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