Tuesday 3 31 20 morning call

Another Ridge Lenny barrel by OneMoreFoto.


4am significant buoy readings and discussion.
South shore
Barbers

1.9ft @ 15s from 210° (SSW)

Lanai
1.6ft @ 15s from 199° (SSW)
     
Good numbers at the local buoys, the Tasman Sea swell did fill in nicely. Check the Lahaina webcam if interested, for size, conditions and consistency.

North shore
NW101
2.7ft @ 13s from 288° (WNW)

Hanalei
1.6ft @ 14s from 307° (WNW)

Waimea
1.1ft @ 15s from 304° (WNW)

Pauwela
5.6ft @ 9s from 79° (ENE)
1ft @ 15s from 326° (NW)

Plenty ENE 9s windswell still in the water, while a new low long period WNW energy fills in. This is a classic example of a case where if you check the the NOAA Pauwela buoy page, you wouldn't know about the secondary swell, as the primary is much bigger. That's why I check the buoys on the Surfline page instead (link n. 11).

Below is the collage of the fetches maps of March 26 thourgh 30. As you can see (click on the image to enlarge it), the WNW fetch is strongest on the first one (the 15s energy we're receiving today), but the rest of days it's pretty weak. Considering how west it is (around 310, based on its position on the map), no spots other than Hookipa should see much at all from it. And considering that the windswell is still pretty high, not even there it's going to be particularly noticeable. I would then recommend to chase the easterly energy on east exposures, also because the wind should finally be good in this morning (and in the next few mornings).


Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


North Pacific fetches map (about 4 days travel time from the NW corner):
a couple of tiny/weak NW fetches, plus the windswell fetch.


South Pacific fetches map (about 7 days travel time from east of New Zealand):
a rare SSE fetch SE of Chile.


Morning sky. Thanks to this lovely clouds, the thermal onshores should be less than usual today.

Monday 3 30 20 morning call

This picture of John John Florence was on Mini Waves by Dom's page.


4am significant buoy readings and discussion.
South shore
Barbers

1.3ft @ 15s from 192° (SSW)

1.3ft @ 12s from 189° (S)

Lanai
1.5ft @ 13s from 180° (S)

Mix of small declining period southerly energy and possibly new low 15s SSW energy filling in at Barbers. Below is the collage of the maps of March 22, 23 and 24. The best part of the fetch in the Tasman Sea was heavily blocked by New Zealand, while the unblocked part was relatively weak and that explains why this is going to be the smallest of the three distinct swells we had in the last 7-8 days. Also notice the small SSE fetch on the 23rd that intensified the day after, but was aiming at Central America. I circled it in blue, but the chances for some angular spreading energy are pretty low.


It should be a fairly small day on the south shore, but not completely flat. Check the Lahaina webcam if interested for size, conditions and consistency. When I know there's waves, sometimes I leave in the dark to hit the water at dawn. In this case, I preferred to wait until the sun was out and it was probably a good idea, as this is the first decent wave I've seen in 10 minutes. Probably not worth the drive, but it's a personal decision, that's why you should always check the camera yourself before deciding.


North shore
Pauwela
5.3ft @ 9s from 76° (ENE)

Once again, pure windswell on the north shore. Hookipa will be relatively small (up to occasionally head high), slightly bigger sizes can be found on east facing shores.     

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).
     

North Pacific fetches map (about 4 days travel time from the NW corner):
A well positioned NW fetch and the windswell one, both pretty weak though.
     

South Pacific fetches map (about 7 days travel time from east of New Zealand):
A pretty strong storm aiming is aiming its winds to Central and South America, only a tiny portion of which seems to be oriented towards us. Not much to be expected locally.


Morning sky.

Sunday 3 29 20 morning call

The Corona virus made me lazy and I keep not taking pics of the waves on the Lahaina side. Fortunately, sooner or later, my Facebook feed offers something. Kai Lenny at Jaws by OneMoreFoto.


4am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore
Barbers
1.6ft @ 14s from 192° (SSW)

Lanai
1.5ft @ 14s from 190° (S)

Still 1.5ft 14 at the buoys, I'll take it. According to my fetches maps (I'll post a collage), tomorrow there could be another small, but long period pulse from the Tasman Sea. Check the Lahaina webcam if interested for size, conditions and consistency.

North shore
Pauwela
6.5ft @ 9s from 64° (ENE)

4.4ft @ 7s from 60° (ENE)

Another day of pure windswell on the north shore. We haven't seen any other significant fetches in the North Pacific, that's why. Hookipa will have waves in the head high range, bigger on eastern exposures.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


North Pacific fetches map (about 4 days travel time from the NW corner)
A couple of small/weak NW fetches and the windswell fetch (getting weaker).


South Pacific fetches map (about 7 days travel time from east of New Zealand)
Nothing today.


Morning sky

Satrurday 3 28 20 morning call

I almost engaged in this other solitary outdoor activity yesterday afternoon, but 3 hours of surfing in Lahaina (waist to occasionally chest high perfection all windless morning) were enough for my body.


3am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore
Barbers

3.9ft @ 9s from 164° (SSE)

2.4ft @ 15s from 204° (SSW)

Lanai
1.5ft @ 12s from 176° (S)

Lanai's 3am reading is missing the 15s energy, but just before it was 1.5ft @ 15s from 202.
The now small 12s energy is not going to contribute much anymore (it was 13s yesterday and nearly half of the sets were from it), so today I call for less consistency, but hopefully still waist high (with occasionally bigger sets). Clean conditions again all morning. Check the Lahaina webcam if interested.

North shore
Pauwela
7.7ft @ 9s from 61° (ENE)

Windswell only on the north shore, just like yesterday: Hookipa will have blown out waves possibly in the head high range, bigger on eastern exposures.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


North Pacific has a small/weak NW fetch and the windswell one.


Nothing from the south.


Morning sky.

Friday 3 27 20 morning call

I got lazy again and didn't take any photos of the Lahaina side, but here's a gem from OneMoreFoto (not sure from when). Ridge Lenny is a hell of surfer.



4am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore
Barbers

3.1ft @ 8s from 170° (S)

1.8ft @ 12s from 184° (S)

1.1ft @ 16s from 201° (SSW)

Lanai

4.9ft @ 8s from 160° (SSE)

2.2ft @ 13s from 198° (SSW)

1ft @ 16s from 202° (SSW)

SSW swell down to 2.2ft 13s at Lanai, while the other smaller one reads 1ft 16s. This time I also copied the significant SSE windswel (5ft 8s from 160 degrees), some spots will like that. The combination of all of the above should provide the south facing shores with another day of fun size waves. Check the Lahaina webcam if interested for size, condition and consistency.

North shore
Pauwela
8.7ft @ 10s from 77° (ENE)

Purely easterly windswell on the north shore, Hookipa will have blown out waves possibly in the overhead range, bigger on eastern exposures.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


North Pacific has a weak WNW fetch and the windswell fetch (getting more easterly).


Tiny inconsequential SSE fetch in the South Pacific.


Morning sky.

Thursday 3 26 20 morning call

As you know I like to post a picture from the day before, if I have one. I only took very few yesterday, so here's the best one.


But here's a much more impressive one of Robby Naish at La Perouse taken by Fish Bowl Diaries two days ago (Mar 24).


Paul and Sophie must have been shooting from different spots, this is the same wave from another angle.


5am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore
Barbers
2.3ft @ 13s from 199° (SSW)

0.7ft @ 20s from 191° (SSW)

Lanai
2ft @ 14s from 198° (SSW)

0.4ft @ 20s from 211° (SW)

SSW swell down to a couple of feet 14s at the buoys, which is a lot smaller than it was, but still far from flat. Notice the sliver of the 20s energy both buoys are feeling, sign of the start of another long period pulse of energy. Below is the collage of the maps of March 18, 19, 20 and 21. I put a red arrow on the fetch that has made the waves we've had so far and a black on a completely different one that is the one responsible for the new low long period energy.

It should appear immediately clear that this second swell won't be as strong as the first one. The second fetch, in fact, was first heavily blocked by New Zealand and when it then moved east of it and out of its shadow, it was a lot weaker and a little more distant than the first one. Still a fetch nonetheless, so there are still going to be (small) waves on the south shore for another week (there was yet another fetch after those two).


Check the Lahaina webcam for size, condition and consistency, this was a pretty decent size set and I've seen a couple of more head high ones while writing this post (love the split screen).


North shore
Hanalei
2.1ft @ 14s from 310° (WNW)

Waimea
1.6ft @ 14s from 311° (NW)

Pauwela

10.4ft @ 9s from 55° (ENE)

2.1ft @ 4s from 84° (E)

1.2ft @ 15s from 332° (NNW)

The NW buoys are "overwhelmed" by the strong easterly windswell and don't even report the very low NW energy that the more protected local buoys show. I'm impressed by the sensitivity of Pauwela, as that one is not protected at all (10.4ft 9s from 55!) and yet it still senses it.
Well, that small amount of NW energy won't be much detectable in the water by human observers instead, as the windswell is just too strong. Pretty useless too, seen the strong active wind on it, unless you seek and find a very sheltered spot.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


Small NW fetch and strong ENE windswell fetch in the North Pacific.


No more good stuff from the south.


Morning sky.

Wednesday 3 25 20 morning call

Pretty massive day of action on the south facing shores yesterday, I did a bit of reporting effort.


Wailea side by James Flynn.


Ricardo Campello posted this photo of La Perouse. A windsurf mast is 4m=13ft.


These are some pics I took. Not the best direction for Maalaea, but a swell this big will get pretty much everywhere facing south. Just too windy to be good, in this case.


Love the no grab glide.


First time I see this spot surfed.


Surfing is officially OK. (from this page).



4am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore
Barbers
4.5ft @ 15s from 193° (SSW)

Lanai
3.1ft @ 15s from 199° (SSW)

Pretty good numbers at the buoys also today, the swell only went down a second or two in period (so it's going to be smaller than yesterday). Check the Lahaina webcam if interested for size and conditions. Looks smaller than yesterday, but how about this set at 6.05am?!


North shore
Pauwela
12ft @ 9s from 54° (ENE)

Pretty big windswell will provide blown out waves to the north and east facing shores.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).


Those NW fetches are small/weak, the most significant one is the windswell fetch.


Decent fetch in the Tasman Sea down under. Fiji is having a great early start of the season. Must also be uncrowded because of the travelling restrictions.


Morning sky.

Tuesday 3 24 20 morning call

On this page it seems that starting Wednesday everybody is required to stay home unless for essential activities. Among those, there's "Doing solitary outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running". Water activities are not listed, but they're obviously solitary outdoor activities too, so I think we're good there. But... can you drive to the spot of your preference? If you drive on your own, I don't see why not. The problem will be getting to the water. This is the sign posted outside the beach parks. Many spots don't require any trespassing, so I'm still not sure if surfing will be banned starting Wednesday.


Meanwhile, let's milk it as long as we can. Donovan executing at Guardrails.


This extremely fickle spot had half an hour of perfect wind and a couple of absolute gems.


4am significant buoy readings and discussion
South shore Barbers
5.4ft @ 17s from 191° (SSW)

Lanai
3.4ft @ 17s from 204° (SSW)

I confess that when yesterday I wrote I'm expecting to see even longer period and more south energy tomorrow, I wasn't expecting this much! The reading at Barbers is truly impressive (Oahu might be bigger), but the one at Lanai is pretty solid too. There will be big waves on all the south facing shores. As usual, check the Lahaina webcam before going.


North shore     
Pauwela

7.7ft @ 9s from 42° (NE)

4ft @ 12s from 337° (NNW)

3.9ft @ 8s from 57° (ENE)

2.1ft @ 6s from 72° (ENE)

NE windswell on the way up and pumping already, with a surprisingly still decent NW energy on top, but the waves on the north shore will be blown out by the strong trades.

Wind map at noon (the other ones can be found at link n.-2 of GP's meteo websites list in the right column).



Nothing other than windswell waves are made in the North Pacific today.


Small S fetch down under.


Morning sky.