Yesterday’s standout performance at the Maui Pro was undoubtedly ROXY team surfer Bianca Buitendag's 9.80 score in her first heat at Honolua Bay, the highest single wave score for the day!
As Honolua Bay marks the final event of an exciting year on tour for the women's elite, Bianca was eager to tick plenty of bucket list adventures from her list, showing us just what her perfect day in Maui consists of: underwater adventures, hiking unknown trails and a little Hawaiian shave ice along the way. Here’s her recap of her typical day when she’s not surfing in the comp:
photo courtesy of Willie Kessel
Maui has been hovering at the top of my bucket list for far too long. Drawing a large, red tick-mark in an empty box is fulfilling, especially since it gives you the courage to accomplish the next mission you decide to write down.
With the sound of the quickening rotations of the propellers, an audible vibration under my seat, and a glance out that oval airplane window, I could see the Honolulu airport becoming smaller and smaller as we took to the sky toward a new destination.
I wanted to share with you just one day in Maui, so that you can experience a place without the hassle of overnight flights, carpet sleeping, board bag dragging, 6-hour rental car miscommunications, or jetlagged midnight wake ups!
photo courtesy of Willie Kessel
I am woken by an alarm and opening the curtain with one eye still shut is enough for me to realize where I am and what is going on. I am in Maui for the Target Pro, the last event of what seemed like a long year on tour.
We grab some granola and yoghurt, jump in the rental and zoom off to the Bay, excited to find out if the rumors of the swell were true. A two-hour session with a close friend and very welcoming locals proved to be the best start to the day.
The sun was still hanging high, so a trip down the coast on a windy road was next, with ‘coconut and lemonade’ signs at every corner, and the corners were plentiful. At the 8th mile marking, close to the other side of the island, we head off to explore the trail and bamboo forest the locals had been talking about. We rock hopped, skipped and jumped over water for about a mile upstream, completely captivated by the beauty of the luscious greenery and serenity at the foot of this mountain.
photo courtesy of Willie Kessel
photo courtesy of Willie Kessel
For a change in scenery, it was time for a snorkel and snack at Airport Beach close to Lahaina. Walking through the streets of this colorful little town only added to the atmosphere of excitement which showing on the faces of every person walking by with a floral shirt and camera in hand. This atmosphere proved to be contagious as we swam only arms-length from a turtle, and the size of my smile caused water to flow into my goggles, making the visibility of the ancient creature only last a few seconds. With toes in the sand, feeling the saltwater lapping over your feet, the day had come to an end, and the sun was going down and past, on its way for another time zone to enjoy the day.
We ended the day with some shave ice and a quick stroll around Lahaina town before settling to watch the sunset.
My greatest desire on this tour around the world is never to lose sight of all that is around me, that my eyes and heart are filtered by gratitude, never taking a moment for granted – so in all these moments I delight, since delight is the only emotion that can come from a grateful heart.
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