Certain surf breaks transcend the others. Just say the names and you can evoke wistful and faraway looks in the eyes of other surfers. Even if they've never been there, names of places like Cloudbreak, G-Land, J-Bay, Pipeline, Ulu Watu, have the power to lure us into introspection. Who hasn't fantasized riding large heavy waves in these places? And if you're lucky to have actually done so, who doesn't long to return? Who can forget their memories of past sessions at these breaks that exist at the top of the pantheon of worldwide surf breaks?

Such a spot is Ho'okipa, sometimes called WHOO-keep-ah, but more properly pronounced Hoe-OH-kee-pah. Smack in the middle of the north shore of Maui, it's a world-renowned wind surfing spot as well as a heavy commitment board riding break. Actually it's a collection of breaks along a stretch of coast to the east of Paia. Typically, mornings are when the surfers dominate the lineups, while the afternoon trade winds bring the sail and kite boarders.

Like any surf break, Ho'okipa has good days and bad days, big days and small days, beauty days and ugly days. DogMan's seen them all, ridden them all. Many a DMC column has featured this spot, one of the heaviest, tingliest, and ultimately most rewarding surf breaks there is. Earlier in the Maui holiday the place was small, calm, nonthreatening, and crowded. Anyone with a board can paddle out on such a day. A DM column from a few weeks ago featured pictures from that day.

And then a major NW swell hit the shores of the Valley Isle. Still beautiful, the lineup was now also very threatening. Commitment and skill were required for the paddle out. Consequently the number of surfers in the water diminished to a small handful of top watermen (waterwomen too, but there weren't any on this day). And that's the source of these pictures.

The next day saw the swell just as large, maybe a tad bigger, but conditions turning ugly. Pictures from that session will be the subject of a future feature. Also some comparison shots from the three episodes will be included. Nothing can match the sensation of being there, feeling the breeze and the salt spray, hearing the roar and crash of the breakers, watching the hellmen doing their thing. Should you actually paddle out to try it yourself, you'll never forget it, guaranteed. It's one of the highlights of my surf experiences, and I can't wait to return for another chance at it.

CU Out There,

DogMan