Maui in May

G103 · Since 22 Jul 2014 52 Posts

My wife and I are going to Maui in May for lessons. Would love comments on were to stay, take lessons, and......
Thank you.

flying69 · Since 09 Jun 2014 7 Posts Kook

Head into the Naish store and they will hook you up with some great instructors. Usually lots of places on the North shore listed on Craigslist. Options for all budgets.

1surfer · Fri Feb 06, 15 7:10 pm **KSM**

KSM See Chuck.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4907 Posts Portland Unstrapped

Dave & Suzie are awesome - also direct you towards lodging

http://www.actionsportsmaui.com

1surfer · Sat Feb 07, 15 8:08 am No

Actions sports and its owners are not liked on Maui. They have done some horrible and unethical things to the instructors and they have ZERO credibility on Maui. If you don't believe this then search the Maui County court records under Dave Dorn. People who don't live or spend time on Maui may think they are great but the people who kite and teach kiting on Maui do not want them around anymore. They have no friends and a horrible reputation on Maui.

They can't get anyone to work for them there. They need to import instructors from other countries. When the instructors arrive and find out how disrespected Action Sports is, they either leave or move over and work for another school

The days of Action being a respected school on Maui are over and have been over for a couple of years.

They have no friends in the kite world on Maui. NONE.

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 853 Posts Seattle Opinionated

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 853 Posts Seattle Opinionated

headed to Maui April 24th-28th for a short kiting & wedding planning trip.

Plan to rent a surfboard from Action Sports Maui again since they have a nice selection of Cabrinha gear (my preference) available to rent.

Pray for big waves and strong winds!

C Johnson · Since 17 Apr 2009 853 Posts Seattle Opinionated

Last year we booked a condo in Paia through www.kitehousemaui.com

Paia is definitely one of the more fun, cultural and walkable towns on Maui.

I'd highly recommend it.

this April we are staying in Kihei in a condo we booked through VBRO.com We picked Kihei this time because were planning a wedding there next year and wanted to get a better feel for what its like to stay there. Otherwise we would probably book in Paia again.

jeffwestco · Since 21 Jan 2014 23 Posts

I'm a second recommendation for KSM specifically Chuck (Charles). I took lessons from him in 2012 and he was still there this October as energetic and friendly.

As for lodging we've always used VRBO and have found great places - sort of depends on where you want to be.

Have a great time!

sromano1995 · Since 22 May 2013 240 Posts Portland Stoked

Chiming in to also recommend Chuck (I am assuming we are talking about the same guy: Charles Edwards). I couldn't remember his name but I followed my great friend Helen as she took her first lesson back in October 2013 from him. If you want to get a feel for Charles and what a first lesson in Maui looks like, you can see him in action (and the teaching site in Maui) at the beginning of this video between 0:15 and 0:50.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4MNvm9i_cs

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2573 Posts The 503 METAL

Yeah 1Surfer fill us in. I rented a couple SUP's from Dave and Susie last winter in Kihei. They had the best prices, not the greatest boards, but were right across from the best break so I could leave my board there and not hassle with hauling it back and forth to the condo. My wife tanked her's right onto a coral head causing a major hull breach...Dave was reasonable about it.

I was always into staying on the north shore, but Kihei is SUNNY, easy to get around and convenient. Paia is cool but such a traffic cluster these days.

macgruber · Since 06 Dec 2011 490 Posts SE PDX volcano Obsessed

I learned on Maui with Aquasports Maui. They were very interested in my success and rescheduled for the best wind with no fuss. $650 now for a 3 day 9 hour lesson. I lucked out and got a good instructor who really gave me 11 hours with 9 actual water hours. I'd windsurfed for 20 years and flown a trainer for 10 hours which got me riding upwind by the end. I think I could have progressed even faster with wake boarding experience. Warm water, steady 12 meter wind, and new beginner gear helped too. The downside was crowds and the instructors just walked the beach and yelled to you. I was there at Thanksgiving though and had a long winter before I could get going in the Gorge. You should be able to take lessons in Oregon if you don't get it going on. Around Portland, Jones Beach is the best beginner spot I've seen. Air pirates? teaches there with radio headsets and no crowds. The wind is a lot steadier than the event site and the beach is a mile of sand.

I usually stay in Kihei too for the sun. The Maui Sunset condos has the best kiting in kihei but not for beginners. We usually stay at Keawaukapu beach at some 70's condos (Hale Hui Kai and the Mana Kai). It's the best kids beach with more sand, cleaner water, and less seaweed the Northern Kihei. Manaloha rentacar has cheap older cars that don't require an airport shuttle for pickup/dropoff, saves a ton of time and money.

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1691 Posts I give out bad advice.

Karen L is a great instructor and only hires certified instructors with experience.

Maui is not a bad place to learn, but not the best either.

Staying in Maui? Check out craigslist for vacation rentals and airbnb. Staying in Kehei is more fun and less driving.

Bring some good booties that stay on your feet! In general you'll be learning in spots that have coral and rocks under foot.

Bring your own long sleeve water shirt to keep the sun off you. Your own helmet might not be a bad idea either.

Good luck!

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

HST is awesome and so is maui kitesurf school (kiting.com). HST has been around forever for good reason and MKS has been getting really good feedback here.