Aloha!
Yesterday marked Mike Takahashi’s, Garrett McNamara and Dawson Jones 13th annual Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race here in Hawaii. This grueling 32-mile open-ocean race across the storied Molokai Ka’iwi Channel for stand-up paddle (SUP) and prone paddleboarders is considered the world championship of the sport. This year, thanks to the new title sponsor Rainbow Sandals, the stakes were higher than ever with a record prize purse of $16,000.
Australian Jamie Mitchell claimed the win for the eighth consecutive year. That dude is a beast. Hawaii’s Kanesa Duncan claimed her seventh crown in a time of 6:29:29. In the standup paddle (SUP) division, favorite Ekolu Kalama did not disappoint, posting his first solo win in the record time of 5:02:06. The first solo woman SUP-er was Jenny Kalmbach, from the Big Island, in a time of 5:48:31.
This race is no joke and it’s amazing to see what people are capable of doing. The rise in popularity of SUP has definitely boosted competitor attendance. Hawaii is the perfect arena for testing watermen from around the world. Garrett McNamara is one of the founders of this incredible event along with Dawson Jones and Mike Takahashi. Last night we caught up with Garrett, fresh from the race, to get the skinny on the event.
This is what G-Mac had to say:
“This is such an incredible race and I consider everybody who raced a hero and in another league. There was one competitor with a prosthetic arm who really inspired me. Also, a man in a wheel chair came up to me at the finish line and said he just did all the research and would be racing the next year. It’s so inspiring to see people that are deemed challenged accomplish such a feat. I look forward to seeing that guy next year.
This race is such a test of one’s mental and physical limits. Mick Debetta, who held the record for years and now Jamie Mitchell’s trainer, said the first year he did the race that it was the hardest thing he had done in his life and would never do it again. Needless to say, Mick came back for more year after year, and was still there this year competing.
Tom Pohaku Stone is a Hawaiian on a mission. Tom paddled a replica of a board that was used by the ancient Hawaiians. It is a board I would say is impossible to paddle across the channel on. With the assistance of a PWC, Tom crossed the channel successfully. This was amazing and in honor of Hawaiian history and tradition. This race grows every year. Now, with a great new title sponsor, Rainbow Sandals and presented sponsors, Duke’s Waikiki, C4 Waterman, Honolua clothing, and Maui Jems sun glasses it enables us to produce a great race that better accommodates the competitors and everyone involved.
I’d like to give a big thanks to Barrett Tester. He’s been with us from the start. Also, big thanks to Sparky from Rainbow and Gerry Lopez, who surprised us all by competing, finishing and winning 2nd place in their division.”
