Windsurfing Maui

Photo by: Ellen Black Wylde

By Olaf Mitchell
Last week we had a Monk Seal visit us at the beach that I live at on the north shore of Maui.

My friend Tracy Harrap was attempting to launch her windsurfer as the seal was trying to come on to the rocky shore.

They had a delightfully playful little encounter that was miraculously captured by Tracy's friend Ellen.

Tracy sent the images to me in an informal email and I am posting the text in the message just as I received it.

Tracy wrote,"Olaf.... here are those photos of the seal and me that I told you about."

Tracy also wrote,"if its not a dolphin its a seal.... pretty funny..... he came really close to me.. i wanted to give it a hug!" but instead i said hello gourgous and gave it a playfull splash.... in return i got splashed back...(in photo) that was the funny part and the face expression it gave me when i did that... and of course my face says it all. I wanted out.. it wanted in ...who was in the way?.... the playfull splash may have been taken as..... "hey you..you in my way.... and the splash back... "what?..who u think you are... I want in"

Photo by: Ellen Black Wylde

By: OLAF MITCHELL

Photo : Six Sences Water/Wo/Nen2011-

I have known Pascal since he moved To Maui.

Pascal and Olaf Mitchell

He has proven himself to be a very modest man that leads by his example and lets his actions do the speaking for him.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

I have found him to be rock solid whether he is on the ocean or not.

Pascal and Fynn Merlin Bronnimann

albus aslan weston

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Pascal seems to thoroughly enjoy windsurfing and is a brilliant inspiration to everyone that comes in contact with him.

In fact, I would call him a true ambassador for our sport and for our aquatic life style for that matter.

Original water color by Tracy Harrap

Pascal Bronnimann" i send everybody to kuau and tell them that ho'okipa sucks, lol! no, seriously, it isn't my fault if most people know me from the shop and say hi... doesn't mean i sent them - why would i, i hate crowds as well and want to find parking for myself ;)"

Pascal has proven himself to be a master at expressing himself in substantial waves often with the lightest wind imaginable.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

He is renowned for his fluid style when port tack wave sailing !

If Pascal were to hold wave sailing clinics I would be one of the first to sign up.

He has graciously honored Windsurf Maui with an interview so here we go.

WM: Hi Pascal let’s start out with where you’re from

PB : Olaf, I am originally from Switzerland

WM: How long have you been wind surfing Pascal
PB : I have been an avid windsurfer since 1981

WM: That’s a very respectable amount of time to be involved with the sport! I’ll bet you have visited many great destinations to practice the craft. Could you comment on some of your most memorable destinations to wind surf?
PB: Olaf I don't want to mention specific names of spots but I really like to sail in Australia, Mauritius, Oahu, Fuerteventura and Maui.

WM: Thanks Pascal I can totally respect your reluctance to direct the masses to your secret stashes.

WM: I am sure you have many highlights in your wind surf career. Would you mind sharing one with me?
PB: Well Olaf my biggest highlight is that I still have so much fun most of the time when I go sailing - and there is no end in sight!

WM: What‘s next on your list of destinations?
PB: I am hoping to get to Peru, Fiji- and I have a list of many other small islands around this world.

WM: What about your goals?
PB: Olaf I intend to help raise clean water awareness globally through +H20.
And of course to keep on having fun!

WM: As a person totally committed to the sport of windsurfing, how do you feel about The American Windsurfing Tour?

PB: I am absolutely stoked to see a revival of wave sailing events! Big kudos to Sam!

WM: Are there other sports that you are mildly or passionately involved in?
PB: I really enjoy surfing when it isn't crowded and I like snowboarding when I get to a place with good conditions.

WM: Who are your sponsors?
PB: I sail for Quatro, Goya, Blue Planet, MFC, Chinook, Zeal Optics and Aloe Up

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

WM: We have touched on this briefly but would you like to mention any causes do you endorse?
PB: Again I am passionate about clean water and sustainable living for everyone on this planet. In fact I am one of the four founding members of +H20.

Photo: Olaf Mitchell

Grace Delivers

April 7, 2011

Come meet the founders of +H20 and help us clean up one of our favorite spots! Announcing the +H2O and Surfrider Foundation- Maui Chapter APRIL BEACH CLEAN UP, Ho'okipa, Sunday April 17, 8 am. Free lunch by Flatbread! North Shore represent...let's show how much we care about our playground!

— with Matt Lane, Jake Miller, Keith Teboul, Pascal Bronnimann, Levi Siver and Matt J Deehan.

From Pascal Brannimann collection

WM: Pascal other than being a professional windsurfer,and environmental activist what else do you do?
PB: Olaf, I am the sales manager at Quatro and Goya