A CHAT WITH SAM BITTNER

  We are chatting with Sam Bittner today.

Sam is one of our local windsurf charger Wahines at Kuau here on the north shore of Maui

I have sailed with Sam ever since she came on the scene.

She has amazed us with how quickly she has progressed with the sport of windsurfing.

Sam seems to always be smiling and never has a negative word to say. Even when the ocean has spanked her good she gets right back out there!

Sam is a busy woman these days with her latest project.
I’ll let her tell you about it herself but first let’s get some back ground information.

Hi Sam, thanks for sharing a bit of your story for our readers at “Nalu Wahine".

NW:  Where are you from?

SB:  I was born in Texas and grew up in a small cow town of Enumclaw, Washington right at the base of Mt. Rainier.

NW:  How long have you been wind surfing Sam?

SB:  I learned to windsurf in a class at Western Washington University on a lake with very light wind. I learned to water start when I moved to Maui three years ago.

NW:  What are your favorite spots to windsurf Sam?

SB:  My favorite spot is my back yard, Kuau. It’s a special place because I live the challenge, then wave, and very much the people who sail there.  They’re my family away from home.

NW:  Are there any Highlights in your windsurfing career that you would like to share?

SB:  Yeah, Last year I took home my first windsurfing trophy, the Kuau Cup. This trophy is passed on to the Kuau Yacht Club Member that scores the most “Kuau Points” throughout the year. A point is scored when a sailor launches out through the Kuau Channel with the intent on returning to the launch. If, for whatever reason does not make it back through the channel to the launch site. Most points are scored when gear is broken, waves are too big, or the wind dies. I had 7 points last year. I’m looking forward to passing on the trophy this year

.NW:   What’s next on your list of windsurfing goals Sam?

SB:  I want to do a forward loop and compete in the “Hatteras Wave Jam”.

NW:  Where do you hope to travel this year for windsurfing?

SB:  Brazil! I have always wanted to go to South America and with all this talk of Kauli’s new center I plan to go as soon as the American Windsurfing Tour is completed in November.

NW:  Here’s what everyone is wondering Sam, How do you feel about how the American Windsurfing Tour is going?

SB:  I am feeling great about the Tour! It’s a lot of work but every one that I have reached out to is going out of their way to support the Tour. There’s a ton of support from the windsurf companies. I have a great team of staff following the entire Tour.

 

NW:  What do you hope to achieve by running the AWT?

SB:  The American Windsurfing Tour provides a venue for all wave sailors to showcase their skills and my goal is to inspire the future of the sport.

NW:  Are there other sports that you are mildly or passionately involved with Sam?

SB:  I love anything in the water, surfing, stand up paddling, swimming, and sailing. I also enjoy running.

Photo: Vinnie Armato

NW:  Who are your personal sponsors?

SB:  Currently I’m sponsored by Ezzy, Dakine, and Second Wind.

NW:  What is your occupation?

SB:  I am the “Tour Director” for the American Windsurfing Tour. I also work at Mama’s Fish House three nights a week. If you are on Maui, Mama’s should be on your list of things to do. It’s the most amazing restaurant that I have ever been to. Plus; it has an amazing view :)

NW:  Who are your personal hero’s Sam?

SB:  I am so lucky to be continually surrounded by inspirational people in the windsurfing world here on Maui and beyond. Matt Pritchard is a huge one. He always has a positive get it done attitude. Matt is an amazing friend, incredible windsurfer, coach, family man and overall hero!

NW:  Do you have a personal Motto that you would like to share?

SB:  “BE HAPPY !”

NW:  Mahalo Sam!

Girls Only Butterfly Effect Maui KIteboarding Lessons Week

Butterfly Effect Aloha Waterwomen and Maui Kiteboarding Lessons present an all girls, all week, fun Maui Kiteboarding Lesson Week

 

Aloha Waterwomen Vacation (KITESURF) $2,199
The Aloha Waterwomen Clinic taught by Shawna Cropas (of the Aloha Maui Windsurfing Clinics) and Tatiana Howard (of the Butterfly Effect) has teamed up with professional kitesurf instructor, Karen Lang, to create a unique women’s only instructional event the week prior to the Maui Butterfly Effect. The combination of this team of gifted coaches will promote an exchange of knowledge and love for water sports and ocean living through instruction and participation. This special holiday package includes 7 nights shared lodging with your own bed within a private home on the Northshore, use of all kitesurf gear during instructional time and 7-day kiteboard rental Vela Maui, fun full days with kitesurf coaching in both group and personalized sessions, plus happy hour events and evening entertainment with your hosts and guides on Maui. In addition, we'll provide access to transportation with a shared vans to explore the island during the week.
For more info please see: http://www.velakitesurf.com/pages/destinations/maui/ladies-clinic.php

Aloha Waterwomen (CLINIC ONLY - KITESURF) $1,199

The Aloha Waterwomen Clinic taught by Shawna Cropas (of the Aloha Maui Windsurfing Clinics) and Tatiana Howard (of the Butterfly Effect) has teamed up with professional kitesurf instructor, Karen Lang, to create a unique women’s only instructional event the week prior to the Maui Butterfly Effect. The combination of this team of gifted coaches will promote an exchange of knowledge and love for water sports and ocean living through instruction and participation. Clinic-only includes use of all kitesurf gear during instructional time and 7-day kiteboard rental Vela Maui, fun full days with kitesurf coaching in both group and personalized sessions, plus happy hour events and evening entertainment with your hosts and guides on Maui.

For more info please see:

http://www.velakitesurf.com/pages/destinations/maui/ladies-clinic.php

Shawna Cropas’s Aloha Windsurfing Clinics and Tatiana Howard’s Butterfly Effects come together to create a unique women’s only windsurfing instructional and SUP fitness event the week prior to the Maui and Fiji Butterfly Effect. There is a whole new breed of women who maintain well being, fitness and lifestyle solely devoted to the ocean. They are Waterwomen who have traded in all social norms for fins, boards and ocean time. Shawna and Tatiana are combining their coaching and ocean skills along with their personal philosophies... Aloha spirit speaks of joyful openness, sharing and ‘accomplishing goals to achieve any state of mind or body that you desire in the present moment.’ The Butterfly Effect encourages us to have a positive result or change of something in our own lives which ripples and reaches out to others. The combination of the Aloha Clinics’ and The Butterfly Effects’ goals extend out in order to exchange Shawna’s and Tatiana’s knowledge and love for water sports and ocean living through instruction and participation. They will be running their first Aloha Waterwomen Windsurfing Clinic together on Maui April 26th to May 3rd and running another all ladies only windsurfing clinic on Fiji starting May 28th to June 4th.

Their Aloha meets Butterfly Effect coaching week long holiday is aimed at all women of all ages from fledgling windsurfers to advanced sailors. By working together as a team Shawna and Tatiana are able to cover all levels of sailors at the same time. The week will consist of yoga in the mornings, video analysis, on land simulator work using Muscle Memory technique (where you repeat foot and hand work on land over and over again, much like learning how to dance), loads of water time where Shawna and Tatiana will move around the groups as well as work privately with every persons individual needs. On Maui we’ll have evenings out on the town and beach BBQ’s and should we have days with no wind we’ll exchange our windsurfers for Stand Up boards and go paddling and/or learn to catch small waves. On Fiji we will have great sailing on a pristine uncrowded island with relaxing island cultural experiences like Kava night, village trips, snorkeling and kayaking. Maui and Fiji are kaleidoscopes of color, natural wonder and beauty. We look forward to sailing with you and seeing you on a beach where palms do hula in the breeze and turquoise seas glisten.

On Maui we’ll be setting up base at a private guest home on the North Shore using the latest Neil Pryde/Jp stock through Vela (www.velawindsurf.com) and in Fiji we’ll be staying at the Safari Lodge.

Any more questions? Email Shawna at shawnacropas@gmail.com

For More information about our teaching style, windsurfing tips and clinics please check out:

Teaching style:   http://www.shawnacropas.com/ShawnaCropas/About_Lessons.html

Windsurfing tips:

1.  http://www.shawnacropas.com/ShawnaCropas/Techy_Tips.html     

     2. http://www.shawnacropas.com/ShawnaCropas/Techy_Tips_2.html

3. 3.http://www.shawnacropas.com/ShawnaCropas/Blog/Entries/2010/9/2_Stance__The_hippy_hippy_twist.html

For more information about The Butterfly Effect please check out: www.betheeffect.com

An adventure of a lifetime , all girls windsurf/kite/surf adventure in Fiji!

For more info : The Butterfly Effect

In memory of Rell Sunn

Of all the words that have been written about Makaha surfer Rell Sunn, her husband Dave Parmenter felt that nothing captured her essence better than this story written by Sunn herself.

A young woman
and the sea
By Rell Sunn Reaction time is faster when you see bigger fish. At the instant I saw the 45-pound ulua munching on a tiny snowflake eel my Hawaiian sling hand-spear was already cranked and flying. The three prongs lodged in the back of his blunt head, and he spun once, eyeing me with reproach. But instead of screeching for the channel, he turned and went back to work on the eel. I was faster and luckier with my back-up spear, as it found its mark between his eyes. The ulua bolted for the deep blue of the drop-off, the two spears poking like antennae from his brow and humming through the water with his furious rush.
It had been an easy, almost effortless dive day. The usually temperamental waters off of Oahu's Kaena Point were placid, seemingly beaten into laziness by the summer heat. The ocean there is full of fish, outrageous holes, and Hawaiian myth and lore. I had paddled out on my longboard, which was both my partner and diving platform, with two Hawaiian sling spears, a mask, snorkel, fins and a dive bag...all weighing no more than 15 pounds, board included.
Within an hour the 9-foot, 6-inch longboard was awash under the weight of 65 pounds of octopus, giant uhus (parrotfish), a couple of seven-pound kumus (highly prized goatfish...red, good, delicious).
I was already headed in and skipping over a mental shopping list for ingredients needed for steaming the kumu and stuffing and baking the uhu when I spotted my dream fish.
The ulua had put some distance between us despite the two spears stuck into him. I was already three-quarters of a mile out and swimming with burning lungs and muscles against the current. My board had drifted down current; it was a gamble to let it go and swim after the fish, but I couldn't afford to lose sight of my quarry for even a second. I was committed to the gamble of sticking with my fish.
The wobbling of the spear soon wore the ulua down enough so that I could use the best of my energy to surge ahead of him and herd him back toward the shallows. As my calves began to cramp I was relieved to see the fish doing flips and violent spirals... he was dying.
Uluas are beautiful fish. They're smart, good hunters and are incredibly strong. I've seen them turn vicious when injured. As this ulua fluttered to a ledge 35 feet below, I realized that he didn't know that particular crevice as well (it was a dead end) as I did. It was the stroke of luck I needed to take a chance on retrieving my board. Three minutes later I was back with my board, hovering over the crevice, and relaxing my breathing to get a good gulp of air for the descent.
The ulua was scraping the spears against the ceiling of the ledge when I reached the opening. I sunk the fingers of one hand into his eye socket and gripped the spear shaft protruding from his head with the other, and began to guide him out and up toward the surface.
He fought hardest two feet from the surface. My legs were starting to cramp and I was on the verge of blacking out. I shot out into the air, blasting the snorkel free of water, and for the first time felt the true heft of the fish, which felt like a leaden umbrella held overhead.
As I wrestled the ulua up onto the deck of my board, I heard what sounded like wind blowing through reel lines, or dogs barking. I pulled my mask off and followed the noise to a spot on the shoreline where four fishermen were jumping, yelling and pointing at me.
I grinned and raised the 45-pound trophy in a victory salute.
Then, I turned my head seaward just in time to see a 14-foot tiger shark sliding under the surface barely 50 feet away, knifing toward my board, my 65 pounds of octopus and fish, my ulua and my legs, not necessarily in that order.
A million heartbreaking thoughts and possibilities flashed into my mind, yet I had but two solutions to them all: pulling myself into the less-exposed knee-paddling position, and scuttling the ulua off the side.
I took a few pulls toward shore and said, "I'll be back...next time catch your own dinner!" I didn't have the heart to do the "panic-paddle" in, and so from a safe distance I watched my dream fish begin to sink. He wasn't even a foot under when the tiger grabbed him and tore into the midsection. My lungs, my arms and the fishermen were screaming as I paddled away from the snapping, churning orgy.
From shore the fishermen and I watched the shark finish up what could have been a mini-luau for my neighbors and me. We traded fish recipes, shark stories and other spooky stuff about Kaena. They helped clean (and eat!) the fish. Other than that 14-foot tiger shark, my day couldn't have been nicer; sharing a day's catch and making new friends.
My new friends helped me lift my VW bug and turn it toward Makaha (it had no reverse gear). I headed off to my hula class, late again.
I drove along the dirt road back to Mahaka, the sparkling afternoon sea smoldering against the rock-bound shore. In less than 30 minutes I would be back in my more land-locked world, full of Hawaiian music, dancing, and "talking story" with the girls.
But out there, under the deceptively placid surface, was a world blind to gender. Though I was taught by men, I was formed by and subjected to the rigid laws of a seemingly lawless realm that treated me and every grazing ulua or marauding shark with the same utter equanimity.
Though I was running late, I stopped along the way and picked some hinahina for my hula sisters' leis. The succulent flowers grow along the arid Kaena coast road, living on the thick sea spray. Not exactly ulua steaks, but Pua and Sweets and the girls would be stoked.

She has cared for our ohana for decades!

Photo: Olaf Mitchell
Jenny Karpovich has put her heart and soul into this island. As nurse and midwife she asisted in the birth of many of the young adults that will shape the future of Maui! Aloha Jenny! 

Butterfly Effect Maui

Girls mark your calendars for the upcoming Butterfly Effect in Maui on May 7 2011 with a week of clinics and fun  April 26 - May 2 , More Soon!