Birthday Dinner at Dalida

For my 58th Birthday, Inna treated me to a delicious dinner at Dalida Mediterranean in San Francisco's Presidio. She made a reservation for 19:30 (the earliest available for Sunday, October 11). 

We tried calling Dalida to see if we could dine earlier, but couldn't reach anyone. When we arrived about 40 minutes early, they told us we couldn't be seated earlier.

Since it was getting dark, we decided to park near the restaurant (instead of walking there from Crissy Field), a wise decision, as there was plenty of parking nearby.

After finally being seated at 19:30, we looked at the menu and ordered the following items:

• Appetizers: 
• Breaking Bread
• Tomato Fattoush Salad
• Arayes Kebab
• Drinks:
• 3 x Dry Apple Cider
• Wild Pistachio Coffee
• Mains
• 12-hour Lamb Shoulder Tandoor
• Kayseri Manti
• Dessert
• Chocolate Torte

I really enjoyed the Breaking Bread and the Arayes Kebab. The Wild Pistachio Coffee was delicious, but a tad sweeter than I'd prefer.

The main highlight was the 12-hour Lamb Shoulder Tandoor, and it was excellent!

Links

• Dalida Mediterranean Restaurant

Read More

North by Northwest at Toni Rembe Theater

A.C.T.’s North by Northwest (playing at Toni Rembe Theater, San Francisco) feels like a production whose theatrical ingenuity outpaces its storytelling: an accomplished cast, inventive stagecraft, and considerable comic energy, but an uneven relationship with Hitchcock’s suspense. Whether that sounds entertaining or frustrating depends on how much you enjoy seeing a familiar thriller turned into playful physical theater.

Plot and ending spoilers follow. Emma Rice adapted and directed the production, which runs at the Toni Rembe Theater through October 18, 2026, and runs about two and a half hours, including intermission. A.C.T. production information

The plot

Roger Thornhill, a New York advertising executive, is mistaken for George Kaplan, a supposed government operative. Foreign agents abduct him, interrogate him, and attempt to kill him by staging a drunken-driving accident. He survives, but neither the authorities nor his mother believes his explanation.

His effort to investigate leads to the United Nations, where a diplomat is murdered, and Thornhill appears to be responsible. Fleeing toward Chicago, he meets the alluring Eve Kendall on a train. She helps him evade the police, but subsequently sends him to a remote rendezvous where a crop-duster attacks him.

The central revelation is that Kaplan doesn't exist: American intelligence invented him to conceal its real agent, Eve. The villain, Phillip Vandamm, eventually discovers her deception. Thornhill attempts to rescue her, leading to the escape across Mount Rushmore. Beneath the elaborate espionage machinery lies a simple emotional story: a man deprived of his identity must decide whom he can trust. A.C.T. educator guide

Rice retains the famous situations but changes their dramatic temperature. Dance, lip-syncing, narration, and visible theatrical tricks repeatedly invite the audience to enjoy the performance. That can be delightful; it can also distract from what happens next.

The actors and their performances

The official cast involves extensive doubling. Opening-night reviews principally discuss the following performers: Sam Archer replaced Simon Oskarsson as Valerian and others for October 10–18. Official program

• Danny Collins — Roger Thornhill. Collins receives some of the strongest notices. BroadwayWorld praises his physical comedy, while Stage and Cinema finds him a convincing, charming successor to Cary Grant. His challenge is substantial: Thornhill must be funny while remaining someone whose peril matters. Collins’s movement skills suit Rice’s conception, although this more demonstrative version of the character inevitably changes the appeal of Grant’s restrained screen performance. BroadwayWorld review, Stage and Cinema review

• Patrycja Kujawska — Eve Kendall and others. Stage and Cinema praises her poise, mystery, and coolness. Those qualities are crucial: Eve’s attractiveness must coexist with uncertainty about her loyalties. The romantic partnership is more disputed. KQED finds insufficient chemistry between Kujawska and Collins, suggesting that the production’s constant activity can overwhelm the quieter exchanges on which the romance depends. Stage and Cinema, KQED review

• Katy Owen — the Professor and others, including the narrating figure. Owen appears to be the production’s most distinctive comic presence. BroadwayWorld celebrates her flexible physical performance; even KQED’s strongly negative review acknowledges her vitality. The disagreement centers on the material: a gifted narrator can enliven an evening, but constant explanation can weaken the audience’s pleasure in discovering the story on their own. BroadwayWorld, KQED

• Karl Queensborough — Phillip Vandamm and others, including Roger’s mother, Clara Thornhill. Stage and Cinema singles him out as the strongest supporting performer. Moving between the principal villain and the protagonist’s skeptical mother gives him unusually broad comic territory. My reading is that the doubling also embodies the show’s central tension: an actor’s transformation can be wonderfully entertaining while making the surrounding danger feel less substantial. Stage and Cinema

• Simon Oskarsson — Valerian and others, through October 9. Stage and Cinema describes him as an effective threatening presence. His contribution supplies some of the menace needed to balance the comedy. He is also credited as associate choreographer. Sam Archer, now performing these roles, should be assessed separately; the opening-night reviews don't indicate how his performance compares. Stage and Cinema, Official program

• Bryony Pennington — Anna and others. KQED identifies Pennington as a standout even while rejecting the production overall. That is a meaningful distinction: the ensemble’s execution can succeed independently of the adaptation’s choices. Her multiple roles contribute to the rapid changes of character and situation that underpin the staging. KQED

• Evangeline Dickson — Mrs. Townsend and understudy. Dickson is part of the officially credited company, but the San Francisco reviews I found offer little individual assessment. It would be unfair to invent one. Her supporting role serves the machinery of deception surrounding Thornhill’s abduction; her understudy duties also help sustain a demanding ensemble production. Official program

What works

The most persuasive positive case is the ensemble’s physical precision. Jean Schiffman’s review describes remarkably agile performers whose stylized movement becomes an attraction in itself. Their ability to turn ordinary transitions into choreography helps explain why audiences stay engaged even when the plot gets confusing. Bay City News review, republished by Piedmont Exedra

Rob Howell’s scenic and costume design, Malcolm Rippeth’s lighting, and Etta Murfitt’s choreography give the adaptation a coherent visual vocabulary. Revolving doors, clothing, and portable objects let the action shift locations without trying to literally reproduce cinema. BroadwayWorld’s enthusiastic assessment treats that inventiveness as a major achievement. BroadwayWorld

The crop-duster sequence is particularly promising. Richard Wolinsky’s KPFA review praises it while finding the later Mount Rushmore conclusion less successful. A miniature airplane and a performer’s reactions can make an impossible cinematic scene into a satisfying theatrical event. KPFA review transcript, syndicated on Amazon Music

What does not work as well?

The recurring concern is interrupted momentum. Suspense needs sustained attention: danger grows because an audience cannot escape the character’s predicament. Frequent musical diversions and comic commentary create opportunities to step outside it. Wolinsky finds the songs and choreography less effective as the second act proceeds; Schiffman also considers the production overlong. KPFA, Bay City News

The theater’s scale may compound the problem. The Chronicle argues that intimate prop effects—including a suitcase containing a miniature Mount Rushmore—lose impact in the large Toni Rembe auditorium. Its critic also objects to an added ending in which Eve becomes New York’s first woman senator. San Francisco Chronicle review

My concern with that coda is structural. A political future for Eve could be an interesting reinterpretation, but an ending needs preparation. Appending a declaration of empowerment after an evening of comic pursuit risks making a character serve a message rather than completing her dramatic journey.

The oddities

The lip-synced numbers strike an unusual balance between play and musical: recorded singers provide the voices while the actors provide the bodies. Schiffman finds the juxtaposition funny and sometimes affecting. KQED questions the soundtrack’s chronology, noting that some selections come from the 1960s and 1970s despite the 1959 setting. That is not automatically a flaw, but it makes the period atmosphere selective rather than historically consistent. Bay City News, KQED

Another peculiarity is the coexistence of elaborate explanation and reported confusion. A narrator can clarify names and locations without resolving the deeper problem of tone: are we meant to fear these villains, laugh at them, or admire the performers playing them?

My overall opinion

I would call this an impressive ensemble showcase inside a less convincing adaptation. The actors seem to deserve considerable credit, and Rice’s willingness to invent stage solutions is valuable. Fidelity to Hitchcock shouldn't be the sole criterion; theater has every right to take a different approach.

The more useful question is whether the new approach sustains its own emotional logic. Here, repeated concerns about pacing, romance, clarity, and the ending suggest the production delivers memorable moments more reliably than a satisfying whole.

I would recommend it most readily to someone who enjoys physical comedy, theatrical artifice, and Emma Rice’s exuberance. For someone seeking Hitchcock’s elegance, romantic tension, and accumulating dread, I would be more cautious. The attraction is watching a talented company reinvent the chase; the reservation is whether the chase still matters once the reinvention takes center stage.

Links

• North by Northwest at Todaytix

Read More

Back to Almaden Quicksilver

I hoped to wing foil at Coyote Point (one final time this season), but the wind didn't cooperate. Although the forecast called for 20 knots, I waited until 13:00, but the wind didn't reach the forecast speed.

I decided to unload my 2008 Toyota Sienna minivan and go mountain biking at Almaden Quicksilver instead.  I parked at the Hacienda entrance nd unloaded my 2011 Specialized FSR Stumpjumper. 

I started the ride at 13:30, and it lasted for 82 minutes. My pace was a bit slower than usual. All the grass has burned out, and the reservoir's water was quite low (as expected at the end of summer).

Here is a Google Maps overview of the Almaden Quicksilver Mountain bike ride.

Here are my vital stats, recorded with the iGPSPORT BiNavi Bike Computer.

Almaden Quicksilver

Road ride · October 10, 2026

10.70 miDistance

1650 ftElevation gain

1:22:24Moving time

Not recordedAvg power

7.8 mphAverage speed

1,253 kcalCalories

Elevation136–484 m

Elevation gain 1650 ft / 503 mMax elevation 1591 ft / 485 m

Speed0–31 km/h

Avg speed 7.8 mph / 12.5 km/hMax speed 23.1 mph / 37.1 km/h

Heart rate106–182 bpm

Avg heart rate 151 bpmMax heart rate 182 bpm

Cadence0–96 rpm

Avg cadence 71 rpmMax cadence 121 rpm

Temperature19–29 °C

Avg temperature 23 °CMax temperature 29 °C

Charts use 30-second averages across the full elapsed time (2:07:30), so horizontal gaps reflect stops. Session totals supply the headline and chart statistics.

Links

• Almaden Quicksilver Park Map
• Almaden Quicksilver County Park
• iGPSPORT BiNavi Bike Computer

Read More

SUP Surfing at Linda Mar

With a favorable (2-3 ft) forecast at Pacifica State Beach, I decided to restart my SUP surfing season. I woke at 06:30 (after loading all my surfing gear into my Toyota Sienna the night before).

After a quick fuel stop at Chevron, I drove to Pacifica State Beach and arrived at 07:53. Although it was early, the parking lot was already almost full! I found a convenient spot and put on my Feral 4/3mm wetsuit.

I attached a leash to my 2021 Fanatic Allwave 9'3", got the carbon paddle, and walked to the beach. Lots of surfers were in the water, plus one other SUP surfer. I surfed for 90 minutes and caught a few nice rides. It was a gorgeous, windless October day!

Here is a lovely surf guide to Linda Mar / Pacifica State Beach. I mostly surfed near Taco Bell.

A surf contest used up part of the beach for contestants. Very nice, loud Hawaiian surf music was playing too.

I enjoyed the SUP surfing and would have stayed longer if conditions had been better. Next time, remember to arrive early to get a parking spot.

Links

• Travelers Surf Club - Linda Mar
• Duotone SUP Boards (formerly Fanatic)
• Feral Wetsuits

Read More

Maui Experiences Camp

With a few "free days" at work and a birthday coming up, I thought about how to spend them. I considered flying to Bonaire, but late September does not offer favorable windsurfing conditions. I queried ChatGPT and Gemini AI and was advised to consider visiting Maui. 

While checking out Maui, I learned about a Maui Experiences Camp hosted by Robby Swift from September 20th to 29th. This 10-day camp was longer than I had intended, but it happened to coincide with my days off. I contacted Robby to get more details and learned the following about the camp:

• 10 days of on-the-water coaching
• 9 nights' accommodation (individual rooms on the North Shore)
• Shared accommodation in a 2-bedroom house at Camp 1 on Stable Rd.
• 10 days of equipment rental
• 10-day vehicle rental 
• (2 people per car) -> I would have to share a car
• Professional video from land every day
• Drone video on select days
• 1 session of water photography

Since the Camp started on Sunday and I wanted to maximize my time on the water, I considered arriving a day earlier, on Saturday, September 19th. I contacted Robby to discuss it further, and he recommended that I arrive on Saturday as well.

When I checked the available flights to Kahului (OGG), Maui, I found that Hawaiian Airlines operates nonstop service from San Jose (SJC) to Kahului (OGG), departing at 07:00 PST and arriving in Maui at 09:23 HST. This would be an ideal flight for me, as I would have time to either sup surf, wing foil, or windsurf on Saturday. I planned to depart Maui the following Sunday, Sep 27th, at noon, landing in San Jose (SJC) at 8:00 pm PST.

Robby explained that I would have to pay an extra $300 for the extra Saturday night stay. However, I could use Camp 1's house to windsurf or wingfoil off the beach. This would greatly simplify logistics, as I wouldn't necessarily have to worry about parking at Kanaha Beach. I could rig the sails and wings and let them stay rigged!

The daily plan, as far as I understood, was as follows:

• 09:30 - 10:30 - Meet at Robby's house to review the previous day's videos and discuss the day's plan
• 12:00 - 14:00 - Windsurf or wing-foil at Camp 1/Kanaha/Hookipa (depending on wind and waves)
• 14:00 - 15:00 - Take a break
• 15:00 - 17:00  - Windsurf some more, but need to finish at 17:00 as surfers start to dominate

Most windsurfers plan to buy groceries for breakfast and lunch (sandwiches), and go out for dinner in Pai'a in the evening.

Robby would supply the following gear:

• Surf SUPs:  
• JP Longboard SUP, which is 9'3", 130-liter
• Surf Pro 8'6 
• Wing Foils
• Neil Pryde Foils 1000, 1250
• Wings
• Windsurfing Boards & Sails
• JP Australia Freestyle Wave Pro
• NeilPryde Combat Wave

In case of no wind, the following activities are possible:

• downhill mountain biking from the top of Mt. Haleakala
• visiting local windsurfing factories
• snorkeling

Day 0 - Saturday, Sep 19, 2026

Since my Hawaiian Airlines AS953 flight was scheduled to depart at 07:00, I prebooked an UberX for 05:00 (a bit overpriced at $39.95) for the short drive to San Jose Airport (SJC).

I already checked in to the flight (and had prebooked seat 17G) and a vegetarian breakfast (Coconut Overnight Oats).

Upon landing in Maui (OGG) at 09:23 HST, I retrieved the minivan (North Shore Maui Rent A Car) from row C of the Airport's Public Parking lot. The key was in a lockbox inside the vehicle (they texted me the code before I arrived). Robby already picked up and delivered all of the gear, saving me time. I had no need to drive to Swift Sports (140 Hobron Ave, Kahului, HI 96732).

North Shore Maui Rent A Car 

Confirmation: NSMCCP15834
Car: 2019 Black Honda Odyssey
License Plate: LLK223
Airport Location: Row H, I, J of the Airport Public Lot
Key: inside the lockbox, inside the vehicle

I found the 2019 Black Honda Odyssey but couldn't open the lockbox at first. Eventually, Ian came by and helped to open the lockbox. From the airport, I drove directly to my rental house on the beach, located off Spreckelsville Rd.

Maui Home Rental 

Hookipa Room (East side)

582 Stable Rd.

Paia HI 96779

Check-in is usually after 3:00 pm

Robby was already there, waiting for me. He rigged the NeilPryde Combat Wave 4.5m sail and set up my JP Australia Freestyle Wave Pro 94-liter board.

Hungry, I drove to the nearby Whole Foods to buy groceries for the week. I purchased the following:

• Heirloom Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Granny Smith Apples
• Organic Eggs
• Skyr
• Blueberries
• Turkey
• Swiss Cheese slices
• Half-and-Half (for coffee)
• Ground Coffee (there is a coffee machine)
• Salmon & Rice premade lunch

I ended up eating the Salmon & Rice first, as I was quite hungry. Adrian checked in as I was finishing up, and I got ready for my first day of windsurfing.

The home at 582 Stable Road is a two-story, two-bedroom duplex (Adrian and I were in the "Hookipa" section). Each bedroom has a bed and air conditioning (Maui gets very hot and humid). 

While rigging sails, I felt sweat pouring down my neck. It was 84 degrees Fahrenheit, hot and extremely humid.

I did not expect the wind to be so strong. After stepping up to the 4.5m sail, I was shocked by how overpowered it was. I decided to lend Adrian my 4.5m NP Combat Wave sail while I rigged a smaller 4.2m NP Combat Wave.

It took me some time to change sails, as I was unfamiliar with the NeilPryde rigging procedures (which were quite different from Ezzy). Eventually, I managed to rig the 4.2m Combat Wave and sail out. 

Although the wind was still crazy gusty, I felt more in control with the smaller 4.2m NP Combat Wave sail and had many excellent sessions. I did have to pay special attention to the underwater reefs, which became visible as the tide receded.

We finished sailing at around 16:30, after taking many breaks to recuperate from the maximum exertion required to handle the gusts.

Here is a video of my weekly sailing at Camp 1:

For dinner, we ate at the Paia Fish Market in downtown Paia. We parked nearby and waited in a line to order our entrees. I ordered the following:

• Mahi-Mahi charbroiled with French Fries & Coleslaw
• Bottled water with Electrolytes

The Maui Camp includes the following windsurfers:

• Boris
• Adrian
• Nick
• James
• Jurgen
• Frank
• Robby

The Mahi-Mahi wasn't bad, but the meal wasn't memorable.

After returning home, I made some hot black English breakfast tea.

I spoke briefly with Inna (who was traveling through Lyon) and then decided to turn in early because I was falling asleep. The time difference and my lack of sleep were affecting me. I went to bed around 21:00 but had difficulty falling asleep because of the noise of jets taking off.

Day 1 - Sunday, Sep 20, 2026

I woke at 06:30, showered, shaved, and ate Skyr with blueberries for breakfast. I also brewed coffee in the Coffee maker (acceptable) and took my medicines.

I decided to stroll along the beach and take a closer look at the area. I saw a few dog walkers and fishermen casting their lines into the ocean. 

We planned to start windsurfing at 12:30, with the whole group at Camp 1 (our Stable Road residence).

Here is the Day 1 Video recorded by Erik Aeder & Robby Swift:

I made a large salad for lunch, using one heirloom tomato, half a red pepper, one medium avocado, and a few cucumbers. I also had a few slices of turkey.

When Robby arrived at 12:30, we rigged our sails and started windsurfing.  I windsurfed for three hours, with Robby giving me pointers on gybing technique.

Windsurfing Pointers from Robbie

1. When sailing a tri-fin board, like the JP Australia Freestyle Wave Pro

• On a tri-fin board, keep the sail upright and apply minimal pressure with your back foot. Basically, keep the board flat to accelerate.
• On a single-fin board, shift your weight on the back foot 
• Keep the front leg straight and lean back with your shoulders (not the buttocks)

2. On Gybing

• Move the front arm toward the mast and keep the mast upright
• When moving feet out of the straps, don't stomp on the foot — be gentle to avoid upsetting the trim of the board
• In heavy chop, push down on the boom to keep the board planted (and minimize bouncing)
• Avoid sinking the tail (as it drains speed) and try to keep the board flat and carving
• Before flipping the sail, move the hand closer to the mast

After my session ended, we put the boards away, and I took a shower.

Here is a GoPro Hero 13 video recording of my session:

We decided to have dinner at Milagro's Food Co. (a Mexican restaurant) in downtown Paia at 18:30. We parked nearby in the public Paia parking lot and walked over. Three of us arrived first, sat outside, and ordered a few drinks. I ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Lilikoi Cider
• Main: Paniolo Sandwich (white cheddar cheese, frizzled onions, brioche bun, lettuce, tomato, fries)

 The Lilikoi Cider was nice and refreshing, and the Paniolo burger was excellent. However, our waitress was a bit slow with the drinks (took 20 minutes).

Day 2 - Monday, Sep 21, 2026

In the morning, I woke at 06:30, showered, shaved, and dressed. After breakfast of Skyr with blueberries and freshly brewed coffee, I took a short stroll on the beach. The wind was much lighter than yesterday, foreshadowing a light-wind day to come (though the forecast was much more optimistic).

After the walk, I was still a bit hungry, so I made a smoked-turkey omelet. I had to find the right pan and oil. I made a decent omelet and enjoyed it with a cup of coffee.

After breakfast, we planned to drive to Robby's house (in Paia) to review the videos he and his associate shot during Sunday's windsurfing session. When we arrived, we went inside and met up with the other sailors. Robby put up several videos on the TV and gave detailed guidance on what to improve. I had to work on the following items during gybes:

• Clew-first sailing before the rig flip
• Moving my front arm to the mast, prior to flipping the sail
• Being gentle when placing the foot out of the footstrap, to avoid upsetting the board trim
• Keeping the board carving throughout the gybe (always being on the rail)

We returned home to 582 Stable Road and decided to try windsurfing. The wind was light, so I used Adrian's 5.0m NP sail while he rigged the 5.5m. I sailed out first and found it difficult to get planing as the wind was rather light. I returned and decided to wait for wing foiling instead. Adrian also sailed out on his NP 5.5m sail but returned early because of the lack of wind.

Robby came by around 14:45 and helped set up the JP XR Pro 99-liter wing-foiling board with a 1250cm NeilPryde front foil and a 4.0m NP wing. I sailed out but struggled to stay upright and get the foil flying. I found the board to be quite unstable (compared to my Naish 95-liter and Armstrong 1250 cm Medium-aspect foil).

Here is a video recording of Day 2 at Camp 1:

The NeilPryde 4.0m wing was excellent, with a built-in boom, and it felt similar to my Duotone SLS Slick. However, I had difficulty getting the NeilPryde 1250cm foil flying (Robby had no such issues), and the JP Australia board felt very tipsy (compared to my Naish Hover LE Carbon 95).

After a few more attempts, Robby came to help me and offered the following helpful suggestions.

Robby's Wing Foiling Tips

• Keep the back foot slightly off-center from the center line to counteract the other foot being on the opposite tack (where the front footstraps are usually attached)
• Pump the wing quickly in short, quick movements. Once adequate speed has been achieved, pump with the feet to get the board planing early
• During gybes, touch down briefly prior to switching feet (push on the front foot to do so)

I did manage to fly on the Neil Pryde foil (for a short duration), but the wind was very unpredictable, and I couldn't fly the foil consistently.

I practiced foiling until 16:15, when I got tired and called it a day. Robby borrowed the foil and showed me all the maneuvers (tacking, gybing), making them look easy.

After the sessions, we cleaned the gear, and I took a shower. I decided to make a quick drive to Whole Foods for a few more groceries.

For dinner, we met at 18:45 at the Flatbread Company in Paia. We ordered the following to share:

• Giant Salad to share)
• 3 Pizzas:
• Pepperoni & Mushroom
• Homemade Sausage
• Mopsy's Kalua Pork
• Boris: Cider

The pizzas were not bad, and I especially liked the Homemade Sausage. I didn't try the pork.

In the evening, I brewed some English breakfast tea and munched on a couple of oatmeal raisin cookies from Whole Foods.

I continued reading Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith on my Kindle Colorsoft and went to sleep at 22:30. However, the jet takeoffs made it a bit challenging to fall asleep.

Day 3 - Tuesday, Sep 22, 2026

Robby & most of the camp planned to windsurf at Hookipa today, but sailing there is challenging and requires advanced skills (which I lack). I decided to skip sailing there and instead sail at Camp 1.

At night, light rain continued into the early morning. I woke at 06:30, showered, shaved, and dressed.

I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blueberries, raspberries, and granola. Afterward, I strolled around the beach, noticing the strong morning wind (a sign of what was to come).

Around 10:45, we drove to Robby's house to watch the videos from the day before. He offered some excellent suggestions on my wing-foiling technique (which I already described earlier).

Adrian was going to head to Ho'okipa for more sailing, while Robby drove me back to 582 Stable Rd., where I would be sailing by myself.

When I got home, I made a delicious lunch of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sliced avocado, and I also cooked a small turkey omelet. The lunch was quick and delicious. 

I changed into windsurfing clothes and went downstairs to rig up my NeilPryde 4.5 Combat Wave, which I would use with my JP Australia FSW Pro 94-liter board.

After rigging, I sailed out and was stunned by the strong wind. After a few runs, I decided it was too much and returned to de-rig and re-rig the NP Combat Wave 4.2 (which turned out to be much better for the crazy conditions).

I went out a few times, but it was quite challenging, more like survival sailing. I took a break and noticed Adrian and Frank had returned from Ho'okipa. The waves there were too large, and they decided not to test their luck.

I offered Adrian my JP Australia FSW Pro 94-liter with NP 4.2 to try, and he ended up sailing most of the day. I took a few turns, but the wind was too much for me, and most of the time it was survival sailing. If I had known it would be this windy, I would have asked for a 3.7m sail and an 84-liter board.

Here is a video recording of Day 3 at Hookipa:

For dinner, we decided to meet up at Cafe Des Amis (a curry restaurant), where I ordered the following:

• Drinks: Bikini Blonde
• Main: Beef Curry with rice and chutney

The Beef Curry was not too bad (and not overly spicy).

I finished reading Bertie Plays the Blues by Alexander McCall Smith on my Kindle and started looking at new books to read. I had completed the first 7 titles of the Scotland Street series.

1. 44 Scotland Street
2. Espresso Tales
3. Love Over Scotland
4. The World According to Bertie
5. The Unbearable Lightness of Scones
6. The Importance of Being Seven
7. Bertie Plays the Blues
8. Sunshine on Scotland Street
9. Bertie’s Guide to Life and Mothers
10. The Revolving Door of Life
11. The Bertie Project
12. A Time of Love and Tartan
13. The Peppermint Tea Chronicles
14. A Promise of Ankles
15. Love in the Time of Bertie
16. The Enigma of Garlic
17. The Stellar Debut of Galactica MacFee
18. Bertie’s Theory of Ice Cream
19. The Prime of Bertie Pollock

Day 4 - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2026

I woke at 06:30 (I did not sleep very well and woke at least 3 times). I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blueberries, raspberries, and granola. Afterward, I strolled around the beach, noticing the strong morning wind (a sign of what was to come).

Around 09:15, we drove to Robby's house to watch the videos from the day before. He mostly showed the videos from Ho'okipa (for the other guys).

Here is a video recording of Day 4 at Ho'okipa

When I returned home at 11:00, I made a light lunch of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sliced avocado, and also cooked a small omelet with turkey. The lunch was quick and delicious. 

Since most of the crew were out sailing in Ho'okipa, I decided to sail out on my own. I rigged two sails: NP Combat Wave 4.2 and NP Combat Wave 4.7m. I started on the 4.7m sail, but later switched to the 4.2m as the wind picked up.

I had a long, excellent windsurfing session and attempted many jibes. I also tried to break through the whitewater but got slammed a few times. Overall, it was an excellent windsurfing day.

Because of the threat of tropical storm Nolo, Robby was delayed at Costco (I guess people are preparing for the worst-case scenario). Nolo might hit the Big Island on Friday/Saturday.

For dinner, we drove back to Robby's house, where he grilled enormous steaks, baked French fries, and made a large salad. I had a fantastic time catching up with everyone. We also watched the latest videos from today's windsurfing at Ho'okipa and Camp 1.

On the Kindle, I resumed reading Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain.

Day 5 - Thursday, Sep 24, 2026

I woke at 06:30 (I did not sleep very well and woke at least 3 times). I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blueberries, raspberries, and granola. Afterward, I strolled around the beach, noticing the strong morning wind (a sign of what was to come).

We are closely monitoring Hurricane Nolo and had plans to start windsurfing at Camp 1 at 13:00

When I returned home at 11:00, I made a light lunch of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sliced avocado, and also cooked a small omelet with turkey. The lunch was quick and delicious. 

Here is a video recording of Day 5 at Camp 1:

I had a long, excellent windsurfing session and attempted many jibes in the NP Combat Wave 4.2m sail and JP Australia FSW 94-liter board. I got through the whitewater and rode some of the whitewash. Overall, it was an excellent windsurfing day.

The wind was very gusty with lots of holes.

For dinner, we decided to dine at the Paia Fish Market in downtown Paia at 18:30. We parked nearby and waited in line to order our entrees. I ordered the following:

• Cajun charbroiled Mahi-Mahi with potatoes & coleslaw
• Bikini Blonde Beer (draft)

Day 6, Friday, September 25, 2026

A SEALY PROBLEM

I woke at 06:30 (I did not sleep very well and woke at least 3 times). I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blackberries and granola (I finished all the blueberries and raspberries). Afterward, I strolled around he beach, noticing the strong morning wind (a sign of the approaching hurricane).

I talked to Inna and Alex, who wished me a happy birthday. Inna is in the Dolomites (Urtijei) and enjoying her spa there. I made a light lunch of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and sliced avocado.

At 11:30, we drove to Robby's house to look at yesterday's videos. I got some more pointers on my jibing technique.

I closely monitored Hurricane Nolo and planned to start windsurfing at Camp 1 at 13:00.

Robby told us Ho'okipa is flat and that there are also concerns about water quality there.

As we started preparing to windsurf at Camp 1 at 13:00, our next-door neighbor (aka Karen) told us a seal was on the beach. Hawaiian law prohibits approaching a seal within 50 feet, so we couldn't launch from our usual spot.

We waited for Robby, and he managed to call Jason Polakow, who owns the house two doors down, and ask him to let us launch from his private property. He was kind and allowed us to do so, and we carried our windsurfing gear two driveways down.

Robby rigged an NP Combat Wave 3.7m sail — a brand-new sail he had never used for me. However, I felt wrist pain and decided to wait before sailing out. Everyone else had sailed out off Jason's beach. 

Here is a video recording of Day 6 at Camp 1:

Nick noticed the two seals had moved to a new location, and our usual Camp 1 launch stop was available again. We decided to move back there.

I carried the JP Australia FSW 94-liter board there and then the NP Combat Wave 3.7m sail. I decided to try sailing out. It was very gusty, and the 3.7m sail was sometimes too small and other times too large. However, I got going multiple times and had an excellent session. I sailed for about one hour before the wind started to fade.

After we finished at around 16:00, I cleaned the gear and ran a short errand to Whole Foods for a few groceries, including raspberries, half-and-half, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cookies.

For my birthday dinner, Robby initially planned for us to dine at Bistro Casanova, but could only get a 17:00 or 20:30 dinner time. We decided to dine at Marco's Grill & Deli.

At Marco's, almost everyone ordered lasagna, and the staff took 40 minutes to prepare it. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything special either (standard cafeteria fare).

Day 7, Saturday, September 26, 2026

I woke at 06:30 (I did not sleep very well and woke at least 3 times). I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blueberries, raspberries, and granola. Afterward, I strolled around he beach, noticing the strong morning wind. The sky was dark and looked quite ominous.

I made a light lunch of tomatoes and cucumber, and also cooked a small omelet with turkey. The lunch was quick and delicious. 

I was closely monitoring Hurricane Nolo and planned to start windsurfing at Camp 1 at 12:15 (after checking in for my Alaska Airlines flight back home).

The rest of the crew headed to Robby's house and then to Ho'okipa, but I did not want to sail there. When I checked the wind forecast on iwindurf, it reported 31 knots at Kanaha, with gusts up to 40.

I rigged the NP Combat Wave 3.7m sail and my JP Australia FWS 94-liter board. The conditions looked crazy, and only a few other windsurfers were out sailing. I sailed a few times, but it was very challenging and extremely tiring.

At around 13:00, Adrian returned. The Ho'okipa conditions didn't seem very favorable, so he planned to sail at Camp 1 as well.

The rest of the crew arrived shortly, parked at JP's lot (to avoid upsetting the nasty Karen nearby), and James went out sailing on my NP 3.7m sail, followed by Robby, then me.

I tried the 79-liter JP Wave board, but it was hard to get it planing and tail upwind. Robby swapped it back to the JP Australia FWS 94-liter. I sailed a few more times, attempting a couple more jibes, but without success.

Here is a video recording of Day 7 at Camp 1:

For dinner, we met in Paia at 18:30 and dined at the Paia Fish Market. I ordered the following for dinner:

• Ahi Cajun charbroiled with potatoes & coleslaw
• Lilikoi Cider

The Ahi was good, but I prefer the Mahi-Mahi. It was our last dinner (for me) and a bit sad, as this Camp was coming to a close. I discussed various windsurfing destinations, and Robby said that the clinic at Icaraizinho, Ceará, Brazil should be high on my bucket list. He also recommended the La Ventana Beach Resort. The La Ventana Demo Center has all the NeilPryde windsurfing and wingfoiling gear.

We also stopped by Artisan Ice Cream for a scoop. I tried the Salted Malted Vanilla Chocolate Fudge, and it was delicious.

Day 8, Sunday, September 27, 2026

I woke at 06:30. After showering, I ate a light breakfast of Skyr with blueberries, raspberries, and granola. I brewed fresh coffee and enjoyed it on the porch, with a beautiful view of Maui's beach. There were whitecaps on the water, and it looked windy. I checked the windsurf forecast, and it promised a lot of wind today, too. Unfortunately, I needed to pack for my flight.

Once I finished packing, I decided to complete one final stroll along the beach. It was a little less windy than yesterday, but still plenty for windsurfing.

I made a light lunch of tomatoes and cucumber and ate all my remaining vegetables. The lunch was quick and delicious.  I checked on Hurricane Nolo, and fortunately, it had moved west and away from the Hawaiian Islands.

At around 09:55, Robby drove up to say his goodbyes and offered me a lift to the airport. He dropped me off at the Alaska/Hawaiian terminal, and I quickly checked in. I hoped my flight AS954 (departing at 12:10 HST) wouldn't be delayed by the strong winds.

The Hawaiian Airlines flight was uneventful, and I landed in San Jose at 20:00. After collecting my luggage, I ordered an UberX and was home by 21:15.

Here is a video of Day 8 at Hookipa:

Day 9, Monday, September 28, 2026

While I was back at work, the rest of the camp was out sailing at Hookipa.

Day 10, Tuesday, September 29, 2026

On the last day of camp, there were some nice waves to sail at Hookipa.

Links:

• Maui Camp with Robby Swift
• Maui Experiences Camp Sep 20 - 29
• House on Stable Rd: Hookipa Unit TW - Dropbox
• Swift Watersports
• North Shore Maui Rent A Car
• Windsurfing Gear
• Neil Pryde Combat Wave (4.2m, 4.5m, 4.7m)
• JP Australia Freestyle Wave Pro (94-liter)
• Wing Foiling Gear
• JP Australia XR Pro board
• NeilPryde Fly IV Wing
• NeilPryde Swift Front Wing
• Restaurants in Paia
• Paia Fish Market (best value)
• Milagro's Food Co.
• Flatbread Company
• Cafe Des Amis
• Bistro Casanova
• Artisan Ice Cream
• Mama's Fish House
• Restaurants in Kahului
• Marco's Grill & Deli (not recommended)
• Possible Future Trips
• Icaraizinho, Ceará, Brazil 
• La Ventana Demo Center 

Read More

Bike Ride from Half Moon Bay to Purisima Creek

With beautiful weather in the San Francisco Bay Area, it was time for a nice bicycle ride from Half Moon Bay to Purisima Creek.

I met up with Alex in Palo Alto, and we loaded our two bicycles into the Toyota Sienna. We drove another 55 minutes to Half Moon Bay, parking in the empty parking lot across from Half Moon Bay Sportfishing & Tackle.

After unloading the bikes, we changed into our biking outfits and started the ride along Half Moon Bay, heading toward Purisima Creek. The ride was very, very pleasant, with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean.

At Surfers Beach, we saw many young surfers testing their skills on small shorebreak. There was also a surfing class on the shore. I even saw one lonely SUP Surfer trying his luck.

We continued our ride along the bike lane by the beach, encountering many pedestrians, dogs, and a few other bikers.

When we finally turned into Purisma Creek Road, we encountered very few cars. Instead, we saw many farms with horses, goats, cows, and other animals. The trail turned into a hill climb, and we struggled a bit to reach the top.

We saw lots of cars near the Purisima Creek Trail at the Purisima Creek Road Trailhead. We didn't stop to explore further, but I learned a bit more about this redwood preserve later.

Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is located on the western slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains overlooking Half Moon Bay. The centerpiece of this 5,412-acre preserve is Purisima Creek Canyon, with its towering redwoods, rushing creek, and understory of ferns, berries, and wildflowers. Magnificent views of the coast and Half Moon Bay are visible from the northern part of the preserve.

On the way back, we stopped at Half Moon Bay's downtown for a coffee at Cafe Society. The cappuccinos had excellent foam but were nothing special.

We continued our ride back to Pillor Point Harbor, encountering strong Northerly wind. I even saw a kitesurfer on the water.

After we secured our bikes in the van, we decided to eat a quick lunch at Barbara's Fishtrap. We hoped to dine inside, but the wait for a table was 25 minutes, so we decided to order from the to-go menu and eat while standing.

I ordered the following items for lunch:

• Fish & Chips
• Cup of Clam Chowder

The Clam Chowder was awful, but the Fish & Chips were decent.

Purisma Creek & Higgins Canyon Road Loop

Road ride · September 13, 2026

23.43 miDistance

1152 ftElevation gain

2:12:46Moving time

Not recordedAvg power

10.6 mphAverage speed

1,312 kcalCalories

Elevation-5–221 m

Elevation gain 1152 ft / 351 mMax elevation 728 ft / 222 m

Speed3–36 km/h

Avg speed 10.6 mph / 17.0 km/hMax speed 26.9 mph / 43.3 km/h

Heart rate85–184 bpm

Avg heart rate 129 bpmMax heart rate 184 bpm

Cadence0–91 rpm

Avg cadence 77 rpmMax cadence 112 rpm

Temperature19–23 °C

Charts use 30-second averages across the full elapsed time (2:48:10), so horizontal gaps reflect stops. Session totals supply the headline and chart statistics.

Links

• Cafe Society
• Barbara's Fishtrap
• Purisima Creek Trail
• Half Moon Bay Sportfishing & Tackle
• Half Moon Bay to Purisima Creek.gpx

Read More