- Molokai and the Bright Blue Pacific Ocean
The Molokai to O’ahu Paddleboard race is considered by many to be the Tour De France of paddle boarding.
This long distance open-ocean race for stand-up (SUP) and prone paddleboarders is in many respects the world championship of the sport. And this year its sold out.
The race begins at Hale O Lono on Molokai, at Sunday, July 25, and finishes at Maunalua Bay on Oahu. The top athletes will complete the 32-mile channel crossing in just over five hours. Solo men and women, as well as two-person teams, make the arduous 32-mile paddle across the storied Molokai (Ka’iwi) Channel in pursuit of paddling’s top honor. Along the way they will have to battle tough seas, summer heat, physical and mental limits, and each other.
Unlike short- and middle-distance races, the 32-mile Molokai2Oahu World Championship is the ultimate extreme test of a paddler’s endurance and athletic ability. With a depth of 2,300 feet, the Ka’iwi (aka Molokai) Channel is infamous for its heavy seas, debilitating heat, and nightmarish currents. Race rules mandate that every single entry must have their own escort boat accompaniment, support, and be qualified to compete in the race. Including official race boats, there will be a flotilla of over 200 craft crossing the Molokai Channel on July 25.
Sounds fun doesn’t it? Any takers?
Get the full event description from Jodi Wilmott over at Sup Surf Magazine.
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Sounds like fun to me, all I need is an F16. Let’s go! A gulf-stream crossing sounds even better, like Bimini to Fort Lauderdale, I don’t think its ever been done on a SUP.