NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic
With another lay day called on Day 7 of the NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic we decided to have a quick catch up with Marc Paré (99NoveNove / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins), who sailed Ho’okipa for the first time in his life at the start of the contest in extremely challenging conditions — when even some of the locals were having a tough time. Read the interview with Marc below:
PWA: You sailed Ho'okipa for the first time in your life when there were double mast high sets... How were you feeling before you heat and what was it like when you were on the water?
MP: “The truth is that I was really scared, I didn’t know the place at all: the power of the waves, the current, the rocks and there was no channel, Ho’okipa was closing out... So, everything was new for me and going out in those conditions was really not a joke! I was happy that Klaas and Kai Katchadourian helped me out with some tips that allowed me to go over the massive sets. Once I passed the brake I calmed down a little bit and waited on the outside for the start of my heat (had to go out 1 heat early). When my heat started, I had one of the most magic moments I’ve ever had on a windsurfer: going down on a double mast high bomb. I really have this first wave stuck in my mind: feeling the power of it and going for a full speed drop in. Was completely a big adrenaline rush!!!”
PWA: You managed to win 2 heats at your first ever Aloha Classic - how do you feel after your first Aloha Classic?
MP: “I can’t really describe how happy I am… Advancing two heats in those conditions without having sailed Ho’okipa before, for me it’s one of my biggest achievements. Now I’m feeling really motivated to improve on this tack!”
PWA: Loads of people ended up on the rocks and suffered some broken gear... What gear did you break?
MP: “Guess this was the toughest part… It’s really not a great experience ending up on the rocks when it’s big like that. When your gear goes to the rocks, the probability that it survives is REALLY low! I broke two masts, one sail, one boom and one board, so yes, full rig!”
PWA: It looks like you are improving really quick here… Landing aerials and some nice turns – have you sailed starboard tack much?
MP: “Before Maui, the last time I sailed starboard tack in windy and wavy conditions, was a year ago in La Torche for the PWA event. So, really I haven’t trained starboard tack at all, but I’m feeling really excited to learn and sail more on this tack!”
PWA: Apart from windsurfing what do you think of Maui and have you been anywhere else on the island yet?
MP: “I love Maui, it’s such a magic island! At the moment I haven’t visited much of it, apart from windsurf spots and Ho’okipa surroundings. But I really look forward to doing a tour around the island and discover those mythical places!”
PWA: Thanks, Marc, enjoy the rest of your trip on Maui.
A lay day has been called again for tomorrow and like the past couple of days an announcement will be made at 7pm tomorrow evening, but at the moment it looks as though the competition will resume on Friday with the grandstand finale taking place over the weekend for Super Saturday and Sunday. As always stay tuned to www.pwaworldtour.com to stay up to date with all of the latest developments from the NoveNove Maui Aloha Classic.