Maui Experiences Camp

With a few "free days" at work and a birthday coming up, I thought about ways of spending the time. 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 at work. 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)
• Sharing 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 planned 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 1 - 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 inside the vehicle in a lockbox (the code was texted to me prior to my arrival). 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 was initially unable to open the lockbox. 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 

582 Stable Rd. 

Paia HI 96779
Your room is the east-side unit (HOOKIPA) on the right-side door on the ocean side.
Check-in is usually after 3:00, but you could check in at noon.

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.

As I was hungry, I decided to drive to the nearby Whole Foods and purchase 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 (and it gets very hot and humid on Maui). 

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 going on the 4.5m sail, I was shocked by how overpowered it was. I decided to lend my 4.5m NP Combat Wave sail to Adrian, 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 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.

For dinner, we decided to dine 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 Mahi-Mahi wasn't bad at all, 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 due to the noise of jets taking off.

Day 2 - 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 encountered a few dog walkers and a few fishermen who had cast their lines into the ocean. 

Our plan was to start windsurfing at 12:30, with the whole group at Camp 1 (our Stable road residence).

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 minimum pressure on the back foot. Basically, keep the board flat to get it to accelerate.
• On a single-fin board, shift your weight on the back foot 

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

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

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 were there first, and we sat down outdoors 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 3 - Monday, Sep 21, 2026

Links:

• Maui Experiences Camp Sep 20 - 29
• House on Stable Rd: Hookipa Unit TW - Dropbox
• Swift Watersports
• North Shore Maui Rent A Car
• Neil Pryde Combat Wave
• JP Australia Freestyle Wave Pro
• Paia Fish Market
• Milagro's Food Co.