Hi,

I am toying with the idea to go to Maui over Easter for Matt Pritchard and Shawna Cropas' Windsurfing Clinic (March 28 - April 3) (pritchardwindsurfing.com/clinics) to get some exposure to wave sailing and improve my technique. Accommodation (on-site) is quite expensive and I was wondering if there is someone who would like to go and to share a room? Flights are 1050 return with Hawaiian. Here is the quoted package - the accommodation cost would be cut in half.

PACKAGE #1: MAUI - PRIVATE GROUND FLOOR STUDIO
TOTAL: $3,707.60

HOTEL Sprecks Beach Estate COUNT: 1 ($2,211.60)
ROOM/ACCM: STU MANINI ACCOM.: STUDIO
CHECK IN/OUT: From: 03/26/2015 To: 04/05/2015
Each of the 4 guest-house Studios offers a great home away from home with all you will need
during your time on Maui. All located on the ground floor with 1 Queen bed, Sleeping Couch, private bathroom,
living and dining area, kitchenette, and patio with BBQ. Maximum 2 guests
LOCATED DIRECTLY ON SPRECKS BEACH WITH ON-SITE STORAGE AND LAUNCH IN FRONT OF PROPERTY.

CUSTOM Windsurf Rental - 09 Days COUNT: 1 ($496.00)
VALID: From: 03/27/2015 To: 04/04/2015
ARRANGED BY: Maui Vela Windsurfing Center
INCLUDES 1 BOARD, 2 SAILS , 1 COMPLETE RIG, PLUS SOFT-TOP SURF RACKS FOR YOUR RENTAL CAR.
FULL-CARBON RIGS $10 DAILY. EXTRA RIG & SAIL FOR $20 DAILY. STAND-UP PADDLE FOR $40 DAILY.

CUSTOM Aloha Windsurfing Maui Clinic COUNT: 1 ($1,000.00)
VALID: From: 03/28/2015 To: 04/04/2015
REMARKS: REQUIRES SEPARATE GEAR RENTAL.
ARRANGED BY: Shawna Cropas -Aloha Clinics
The Aloha Clinic includes 6 full days of windsurf coaching (Sunday - Friday) in both group
and personalized instruction led by Shawna Cropas and Matt Pritchard, plus happy hour events and
evening entertainment with your hosts and guides on Maui. For more information please see ...
velaresorts.com/index.php

Lessons each morning on the grass

Hey MrSpinout, I think you can do much better on all those quotes.

There are enough hostels and other accommodation options around (Rainbow at Paia, Northshore and Banana Bungalow at Wailuku, and others up at Pukalani) where dorm rooms are $30 or private room $80 (probably cheaper by the week). Also check craigslist for other options advertised, usually down at Kihei.

Van hire with Sergio at Manaloha is $190 per week. Well worth having a car on Maui, there's plenty to do other than windsurfing.

Flying Hawaiian you can take your own gear for $150 each way. They are pretty generous with that too, you can bring back plenty more toys.

Not doing the clinic, but I'll be there at the same time for 3 weeks.

obenebo said...
Hey MrSpinout, I think you can do much better on all those quotes.

There are enough hostels and other accommodation options around (Rainbow at Paia, Northshore and Banana Bungalow at Wailuku, and others up at Pukalani) where dorm rooms are $30 or private room $80 (probably cheaper by the week). Also check craigslist for other options advertised, usually down at Kihei.

Van hire with Sergio at Manaloha is $190 per week. Well worth having a car on Maui, there's plenty to do other than windsurfing.

Flying Hawaiian you can take your own gear for $150 each way. They are pretty generous with that too, you can bring back plenty more toys.

Not doing the clinic, but I'll be there at the same time for 3 weeks.

Thanks! I'll check out the hotel and the van hire. Which area do you reckon is the best?

When it comes to the equipment I'm still probably better off renting. My smallest sail is a 5.0 and my board is a 111fsw - I probably would need to buy a 94 board and at least a 4.5 to make the most out of Maui. Given that the rental is 200 more expensive but then I so not have to worry about breakage on the plane and can swap boards and sails as I please depending on conditions.

Hi Mr Spin...my 2c worth.

Yes Hire gear over there...Mat Pritchard has all the latest boards and sails, and from what the sounds of it the Tabou 3s's that he has will be perfect for you.

Hire a Car/Van...I can tell you the wind doesn't always blow at Kanaha...sometimes you may need to travel to other spots to make the best of the conditions, I sailed everyday there that I was there in Dec and not once at Kanaha!

As also mentioned above, Maui is beautiful and there is heaps to see and do, not just windsurfing..so wheels IMO are a must.

Maui Van,car, hire rentals are well priced and pick up drop off at airport with little fuss great service..there aging fleet is also windsurf/sand/salt friendly!

if you were desperate you could hire a van and sleep in it with your gear to save $$ There are some camp grounds around.

The other Accom option is Keihi, you can sail here too, in fact a great spot for learner/intermediates, Accom options are plentiful more basic and older but quite well priced, more food options(reasonably priced), (an unreal authentic texas smoke BBQ bar/grill which I can highly recommend) shops nearby if you want to self cater, 30 min drive to Nth Shore..but like I said you could possibly be sailing here also.

Maui is great...it's not really 'resort like' its more of a 'lifestyle' destination, every bend in the road as new and different sailing/surfing spot to be explored, and if you have wheels you won't miss out. There are also some great drives, Road to Hana, Maui up country, The West coast resorts side, the Volcano bike ride...new mountain bike park/track, diving snorkelling the list goes on.

My tip is go there with an open mind to enjoy everything and all the windsurfing is then bonus! It does have periods of a few days at a time without wind on the shoulder seasons, so if your mobile you will have a blast no matter what the wind does. I can't wait to get back...I actually think I'm part Hawaiian, I fitted really easily into the lifestyle! Including the local Kona Coffee with Macadamia.

Go for it, have a great trip.