Tom Malin's windsurf, skateboard and surf blog

Maui update, 4 weeks into the trip (posted 09th April 2011)

So it’s been a mad couple of weeks here in Maui. About 2 weeks ago we had some pretty lush float and ride days at our hidden away spot and at Kanaha, catching beautiful waves until sunset. We then had some ridiculously windy days, fully overpowered on 4.1. If you're wanting to get some good wave riding in Maui then sometimes in can be best to wait until the evening when the wind chills out a bit. There are often less people on the water later on as well. Below are a few photos.

Sequence part 1 - bad place to be with my kit about to hit me

Sequence part 2 - game over!

Super windy wave riding

Unfortunately I then managed to injure my foot which put me out of action. No windsurfing, swimming, skating or anything for me.

A few days ago my foot was starting to feel better so I got back on the water to give it a go. An hour later and my board was snapped. DOH! Fortunately Quatro checked it out and straight away gave me a brand new 1 for no charge. They’re definitely living up to their high reputation.

Unfortunately though the shiny new board hasn’t been ridden yet because we’ve had a few days of no wind. Luckily my work has agreed to give me some extra time off due to my injury wasting a few weeks of my trip, so now I’m gonna be in Maui till the 03^rd May. STOKED! So with the lack of wind we've been off around the island jumping off waterfalls, swimming through caves, skateboarding the rain forest hills, finding blow holes and chillin with the turtles. There's so much to get up to in Maui. I'll try and get some more photos on here soon.

All we need now is some wind and waves. Bring it on!

Maui, almost 2 weeks into the trip (posted 24th March 2011)

I've joined Stef Hilder and Sarah Bibby for another trip, this time it's a month in Maui. It's a super fun time to be here because everyone's here for the manufacturers' photo shoots. That means maximum action on and off the water with old friends and new, and lots of Muzza getting trashed on the rocks at Hookipa!

We've been really lucky with the wind but we've only had about 4 days of propper waves. Here are the highlights of the action so far. Click on any photos to enlarge them.

Wednesday 30th March at a lesser known spot.
This was definitely the best day so far. A lot of the beaches were pretty crowded because of the big waves coming in, which is why we went to a lesser known spot on the north shore. The waves were really fast and powerful making for some super fun down the line action. I was pretty scared a lot of the time but loved it! The locals at the beach asked us not to tell too many people about this spot so you'll have to find it for yourself!

Tom bottom turning on a beautiful Maui wave

Tom bottom turn

Tom in the white water just down wind of the rocks

Tom getting out through the waves

Tom in the middle of a pretty big set!

Tom bottom turn

Tom top turn


Tom riding back to the little channel that leads between the rocks and back to the beach

Here are a few other shots from the other days.

Stef Hilder big backloop

Tom pushloop at Kanaha

Tom backloop

Tom throwing a little spray

Ibiraquera , Brazil, October 2010 (posted 16th December 2010)

Shortly before starting this blog I went on a trip to Ibiraquera in Brazil for a month with Stef Hilder and Sarah Bibby. This is the home spot of 3 times world wave champion Kauli Seadi. I thought I'd put some photos up because it was simply the best trip I've ever done.

We only got to windsurf half the days we were there but when that place was working, we got super super fun, logo to mast high peeling beach break waves amongst the most beautiful scenery with some of the friendliest, most welcoming people. The waves were powerful enough to give you loads of speed, but soft enough to let you try almost anything without trashing your kit. We stayed in a little pousada just across the road from the beach in the quiet little village. It was paradise! Click on any photos to enlarge them.

Checkout www.kauliseadi.com.br/?p=clube if you wanna find out more about Ibiraquera.