www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297568-d639780-r8751685-Safari_Island_Lodge-Rakiraki_Viti_Levu.html

Although I appreciate the response ka43, I do agree a lot can and does happen in 7yrs......

It'd be great to hear from someone who had been there recently?

Really keen to hear about the Aloha Clinics as well.

How hit and miss is the weather in Hawaii? I went to Fiji twice and the wind seemed to go for a few days, then nothing for a few days, and then back again. I figured this is probably the normal pattern, but I can't say for sure.

Is Hawaii more consistent?

I'm not a beginner, more a low level intermediate (if there's such a thing).

Just after good instruction from people who know their stuff somewhere where I have the most chance of wind (and a tan).

Be great to hear from someone who's been to Safari Lodge even better both!

Always fancied going to Maui though....

I went in October last year. Best trip ever. Matt and Shawna rock.

Check out my review. I'll dig out the link.

i had massive advances in my skill level.

loved it so much I took the family back in April and had some one on one lessons with Matt. He taught me to forward loop.

going back again for another aloha clinic.

if y are wondering what the wind is like in October check out internationalwindsurfingtour.com/

Some me answers below that hoody asked me. Hope this helps:

I'm considering going in October on my own and as it's not cheap I want to be sure it's worth it.
Definitely worth it. Especially if you have a day job, kids, work stress. It's a holiday by yourself to treat yourself.How did you find it?
Awesome. First trip introduced me to wave sailing. Second trip taught me the forward loop. This trip is the duck jibeHow were the rest of the group?
40 to 60 year olds. Mainly solo people. Some couples. A variety of skill levels.If you don't mind me asking what were the costs associated with the trip? Clinic, accommodation, rental etc? Basically what should I budget for all up for the 7 days including food etc?
Email Matt and Shawna for a quote. They are responsive. Is it good value for money or would going and booking in 6 or 8hrs of 1 on 1's with Matt be better?
Clinic is better. It's more structured and you learn a truckload from other sailers and hearing the tips they get.Did you rent kit through Matt direct or Vela? Their quote seems more expensive than Matt's advertised one and he provides 3 sails?
I rented through vela. Great kit. They give you what ever you want. We chopped and changed heaps.Is there anything you'd do differently?
Go more often.Any tips you can give me?
Wear gloves.
Do lots of chin ups.Cheers mate, I'd really appreciate any advice you could throw my way. Cheers,

I also rate the Aloha clinics, have been on 2 now. The location is fine for your level, there was a couple at similar level at last clinic I was on, and their improvement rate was rapid, they got just as much tuition as the other advanced sailors. Age groups ranged from late twenties to 60's, but you didnt really notice that, everyone in the windsurf group bonded quickly and the ages and levels didnt matter at all.

The beachside accomo is excellent. Most stayed there, a few stayed in other places and drove to the site each day. I would say if you're travelling on your own, there's more social interaction by staying in the beach accomodation.

Whats the wind like in New Cal in October time?

Is you son up to date on his PL insurance?

Hey searcher your level is perfect for aloha.

Dezza is spot on with his comment on accom.

Here are some prices I got last week for sprecks per night :

Studio?$255.19
2BR Makani?$396.96?
????
Last week there was one studio and one two bedder left for oct.

Searcher said..
Thanks for the info Yuppy.

I suppose I could ask Mr Pritchard / Vela to pair me up if there was another solo?

Mate of min stayed at some place called Plantation House, it was about $100+ a night cheaper than beach front and only a min stroll to launch at Sprecks. Could be an option???

Beach front with everyone else would be heaps better though....modern day problems....

Gotta make a decision soon before I miss out or the wife changes her mind and I have to stay put in beautiful Mascot!

I'd definitely recommend staying on the beach. It makes for a much more relaxed holiday. Your gear stays rigged and ready to go. The place I stayed on Sprecks also had a nice spa tub right in the edge of the beach, so you could watch the action when too tired to sail. :)

Try VRBO.com & you can search by zones in Maui. search 'cold and windless' and there are posts from beachfront Maui.

It's about $US 600 p.n. I think.

So no one has been to Surfari Lodge in Fiji?

Thinking Aloha Clinic is the go, just gotta try and make it work financially, more expensive when you can't split the accommodation with someone.

Do the clinics start early or at 11:00 when you can get on the water? Or is it a full day for 7 days?

Keen to check out a bit of Maui as well.

Probably the best advice yet Mastbender....thanks

Just did.

Check yours

Searcher said...
So no one has been to Surfari Lodge in Fiji?

Thinking Aloha Clinic is the go, just gotta try and make it work financially, more expensive when you can't split the accommodation with someone.

Do the clinics start early or at 11:00 when you can get on the water? Or is it a full day for 7 days?

Keen to check out a bit of Maui as well.

The clinics start about 11. There is no time restriction at spreaks (unlike hookipa) it's just that the wind is not usually up until 11. A couple of mornings you might surf on sups.

Also. You will be Rodgered after about three days. Learning to ride waves is very exhausting

The mornings are spent reviewing videos and on land tuition. .

Searcher said..
Cheers Sunday,

I appreciate your input.

I don't suppose you got to check out the windsurfing kit whilst you were there did you?

As I am going there purely to sail (not kite) the launch issues won't effect me, I hope!!

That said and assuming I wouldn't be kiting, would you still advise against going there?

Cheers.

Searcher, to give you my unbiased advice for that location, the problem is with the coral. At low tides, its fine as you know exactly where the coral heads are and you just have to walk a bit to get past them. At high tide, you clear them easily. Its in between where a person new to that spot is unsure about how deep they are, and if you are like me and my companions on the trip, you break fins on the reef. At least they were powerbox so the fins broke instead of the board. I wouldn't try the same with a tuttle box fin.

I know Ral Inn runs kiting trips there, as do a number of other groups. It sounds like for kiting, the boat trip is needed, obviously not for windsurfing.