Surfing Laguna: Trip to Maui, Part 1

Harnessing 20 high schoolers with all their surfboards and electronic paraphernalia and getting them on a plane to Maui was a task unto itself. In fact, that was most likely the hardest part of our weeklong Thanksgiving surf trip to Maui.

Once our jet touched down and the airport doors opened you couldn’t help but feel refreshed by the warm and heavenly fragrance of the enchanting Hawaiian air as it filled our collective lungs.

“It’s good to be back in paradise,” exclaimed Jonathan, one of our faithful and slightly claustrophobic group leaders.

With the rental vans loaded to max capacity, it was time to check out the waves. Butterflies filled the stomachs of the young aspiring surfers who, up until this point had rarely (if ever) ventured out of the familiar surfing confines of California.

After a beautiful drive through the waving fields of cane, we arrived at Paia Bay. Happily, we were greeted with fun 2- to 3-foot surf and light offshore winds.

The crowd was not an issue either, as the local kids were still in school.

“I love Maui!” yelped an ecstatic Zach Williams as he paddled back out into the lineup, narrowly missing a giant sea turtle near shore. “That turtle was bigger than Mejia! Where is Mejia? The turtle ate Mejia!” Fortunately for everyone, especially Adam Mejia, the turtle paddled away quietly, leaving the rambunctious teenagers mostly unscathed.

Surfing in only trunks feels so right, especially after just recently donning a thick full suit the previous day.

It undoubtedly has something to do with increased flexibility of course, but I dare say that there’s something deeper at play here.

It reminded me of surfing as a kid when the water temperature was just background noise in the wonderful surfing symphony.

After our surf session we made our way up the Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue, which is the main drag of this wonderfully eclectic town. Hippies, Rastafaris, Euro stars of the windsurfing world — they all apparently got the Maui memo years ago.

The open-air restaurants were plentiful, with fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood being the popular fare.

We pulled over and a handful of us opted for Milagro’s Restaurant, where the fresh fish tacos topped with juicy mango salsa seemed to melt in my mouth.

Some of the teenagers, equipped with months of wisdom, inquired if they could eat at the local gas station, citing ease of use as the main attraction.

Next week our story continues as we experienced the stunning road to Hana, sand in the Jacuzzi, perfect Honolua and the “Aloha” man.

CHRIS WILLIAMS is a surfing coach and Laguna Beach resident, and father of four surf-crazy sons. He can be reached at [email protected] or (949) 497-5918.