For a long time now I have tried to connect with Robby Naish to do a story but prior engagements or unpromising conditions have tainted our attempts to pull something off. It wasn't till we were at the Hookipa Beach Park, staring miserably into a blistering northerly, that a revelation hit us. It seemed so perfect that we both looked at each other wondering why the other did not think of it sooner. You all may be asking yourselves "where", but, at the time we were asking ourselves "how"! To disappear without being noticed amongst the vultures and hyenas seemed more of a task than actually getting to our spot. A plan of escape began immediately. Any irregular activity in the car park is quickly channeled down the Hookipa guardrail and then echoed around the car park. We had to depart unannounced! The last thing we needed was an armada of windsurfers following us to a place where a definition of a crowd was a couple of guys. We had excuses ranging from a sudden death in the family to Rob's idea of a new Taco Bell opening. If you know Rob like I do, then you know it's the perfect alibi.
After a few small technicalities at the airport we were on the plane bound for Oahu's infamous North Shore. It's great to see Rob so motivated towards sailing again! Don't get me wrong; over the last year Rob has put more sailing days on the water than just about anyone. He strayed slightly from the windsurf industry when kite surfing was born, but the man of steel seems to be back, re inventing himself in the sport that gave him so much. Windsurfing made him famous, but it's the world of commerce that he may have been most successful. Over the last 10 years he has evolved from windsurfer to business entrepreneur. Rob has always had great drive and plenty of determination, but these qualities have been made more valuable by his inclination to learn from his mistakes and from others, and to continually shift and adapt along the way, all the while moving forward. It was a great chance to finally catch up between his impossible schedule and hopefully score some uncrowned waves at one of North shores most epic sailing spot; "Backyards."
There is no denying that the North Shore of Oahu is surfing's epicenter. Thousands of surfers make the pilgrimage every year to the Hawaiian Islands, which are tips of volcanic mountains that rise precipitously from the ocean floor. There's no continental shelf or barrier reef to dampen the force of the powerful swells that come thundering out of the North Pacific and slam into the world's most famous surf zone - the 7 mile stretch between Haleiva and Velzyland. The locals call the North Shore of Oahu "Country". Lush dairy farms about the ocean, and the smells of the manure and cane grass rise from the furrowed fields along the narrow Kam Highway.
With surfing having such strong ties to this area, it is no wonder that windsurfing has taken a back seat to the amazing imagery that surfing provides. On any given day there are packs of local and professional surfers littered amongst the various banks and point breaks. Trying to find an uncrowned wave to surf is about as unlikely as finding a snow flake in hell.
Backyards is a stretch of beach hidden between two of the heaviest waves on the North Shore and on the right day can provide clean cross offshore winds and hollow tapering right hand waves. Simply put, it's a windsurfer's paradise! But don't get too excited! It is about as hard to score as getting a hole in one. But if you're lucky enough to be rewarded a classic day at Backyards, it will be forever etched into your memory as one of the highlights of your sailing days.
