Jeff Denholm Paddling the Molokai Channel
Paddling the 32-mile Ka’iwi channel from Molokai to Oahu is grueling enough, but for California’s Jeff Denholm and Hawaii’s Mark Matheson, who will be participating in the Molokai-2-Oahu World Championship of Paddleboarding on July 25, the race presents its own unique challenges. Denholm will be paddling with a prosthetic arm, while Matheson is a paraplegic, numb from the chest down.
After losing his arm in a fishing accident in Alaska in the ’90s, Denholm’s since taken to attacking the famous Hawaiian channel. Last year was his first attempt at the race, but with 17 miles to go his prosthetic came unglued from his arm and he was forced to limp across the finish line on one good arm. It was a test of endurance and mental toughness that lasted over eight hours. The race is “less about me and winning and more about inspiring those who need it most, simply by not giving up,” says Denholm.
“I have an immense amount of respect for any race of the Molokai’s distance. Anything can happen,” continues Denholm. “The weather and sea conditions are always up in the air and play a huge factor. However for me the biggest ‘x’ factor is my paddling device. I glue it to what is left of my arm and both the glue and device have proven to fail over long course races. If it stays on I am confident in my physical ability and feel that I can perform quite well. If it fails it will be all about survival at that point. With this said, I have a better device and improved adhesive this year so my hopes are high.”
And then there’s Mr. Matheson, a paraplegic who will be charging the channel for the first time. Injured after a four-story fall from a hotel on Kauai, Matheson is back on the board, ready to inspire, and hoping to raise funds and awareness for Easter Seals Hawaii and Access Surf Hawaii — both of whom helped Matheson get back in the water.
“Since I don’t have the use of my core (abdominal) and leg muscles, one of the challenges I have is keeping my legs on the board and from tipping over,” says Matheson. “Special upper body strengthening exercises, paddling technique and adaptive devices on my board have helped. The other challenge is getting my equipment and myself in and out of the water.”
As mentioned the race goes off on Sunday, July 25, and sets out from Kaluakoi, Molokai at 7:00am. Denholm’s goal is to break the seven-hour mark, while Matheson is hoping to drag himself across the finish line sometime in the early afternoon. Best wishes and happy paddling to both men. We’ll be pulling for you boys!
Read the whole story at ESPN
http://espn.go.com/action/surfing/blog/_/post/5379038
