The new reinforcing south swell should increase today to offer surf in the 4-7 foot range along our better exposed south facing shores, potentially a little higher at the best breaks. The National Weather Service has continued the High Surf Advisory, effective through 6pm Saturday evening due to surf approaching and potentially exceeding 8 foot faces. Again, the direction of this swell will result in some island blockage, so use your head when deciding where to paddle out... local knowledge will help find the best surf. A combination of tiny to small north and northeast swells may be found along some of our better winter shores, offering surf in the 1-4 foot range, but select breaks could see some fun-sized sets rolling through if we're lucky. Upper West shores shouldn't see much of this action, but select breaks may see a little wrapping action in the 0-3 foot range, just don't count on it. Windswell on our east facing shores should begin to slowly increase over the next several days, possibly reaching 2-4 foot today. There should still be plenty surf left over for the holiday, but expect huge crowds out there. Small to low-end moderate background swell may continue next week, but confidence is low since much of the action sent up from the South Pacific over the past week has been aimed far to the east of the state. A minor northwest swell is possible around Monday, but the majority of the swell was aimed well north of the islands leaving us with not much more than an edge-pass, so confidence is rather low. Pray for surf...
Wind & Tide Info
The east to east-northeasterly tradewinds will continue to slowly increase into the 10-15 mph range today, increasing a little further as we enter the holiday weekend. Low tide at Kahului was -0.1 foot at 5:26am early this morning, rising to a high of 2.4 foot at 1:29pm in the afternoon, then fading to a low of 1.0 foot at 8:39pm later this evening and then rising slightly to a high of 1.1 foot at 11:06pm
Maui Weather
Dissipating low pressure will allow high pressure to build to the north of the state which will increase the tradewinds over the next several days, resulting in typical windward and mauka clouds and showers, but rainfall should be light. Our leeward areas should see plenty sunshine today while sea breezes develop later in the afternoon. Expect moderate tradewinds to hold through the weekend and well into the upcoming week although the models suggest a slight increase again next week. Little weather action is expected aside from the trades.
Joel Parkinson (AUS), 27, has claimed the 2009 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Snickers, defeating fellow Finalist Adam Robertson (AUS), 26, trials winner and event wildcard, in pumping six-foot (2 metre) conditions at Bells Beach.
The second stop on the 2009 ASP World Tour, the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach enjoyed pristine conditions for the business end of competition, with capacity crowds turning up to watch the current ASP World No. 1 battle the local Victorian in a historic Final.
Today's victory marks the second time Parkinson has hoisted the bell (the first being in 2004), and the reputation and acclaim associated with the iconic event is something every surfer dreams of.
"Winning at home is probably the most special win you can have but this is the most special trophy you can have," Parkinson said. "There is not another trophy in surfing that holds the prestige and honor list that this has. To be back on the trophy again and to hold it for a year is going to be amazing."
Silvana Lima (BRA), 24, claimed her maiden ASP Women’s World Tour victory today, defeating reigning two-time ASP Women’s World Champion and two-time defending event winner Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 21, to take the Rip Curl Women’s Pro presented by Ford New Fiesta and become the first Brazilian in history ever to win at the iconic venue.
Event No. 2 of 8 on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro culminated today with an action-packed Final that saw both athletes pushing the levels of high-performance surfing. Despite both surfers racking up high scores, it was Lima who would rise to the occasion and ring the bell for her inaugural win.
"This feels amazing," Lima said. "This is the first World Tour event I’ve ever won and to win it at Bells Beach is like a dream. To be the first winner from Brazil to ring the Bell, it's amazing. I am so happy. I hope everyone in Brazil stays up and parties big."
The high-flying Brazilian wasted no time in racking up scores against Gilmore, opening with a 9.17 before backing it up with an 8.17 in the opening minutes of the Final to put her opponent on the ropes.
"Steph (Gilmore) is so good out there in any conditions and I knew I needed to get scores on top of her quickly," Lima said. "I was able to get really strong waves at the start and my boards felt like they were working really well."
The win rockets Lima into No. 2 on the ASP Women’s World Tour ratings, once again cementing her position as a legitimate ASP Women’s World Title threat.
