Be sure to line up your boat early.
If you do not have an escort boat, contact LJ Benson at (808)306-4121 or Fritz King (808) 291-1147
e-mail escortboatsHawaii2000@yahoo.com
We highly recommend LJ and Fritz. They will find you a boat that is experienced crossing the channel.
2010 Going Rate for Paddleboard Race – $720.00 USD – Please make contact with your assigned Escort Boat Captain ASAP – a Deposit may be Required in order to Lock in your Reservation. Work this out with your Captain.
If you are a returning paddler and enjoyed your experience with previous captain/escort boat please get in touch with them directly and secure your escort for the race.
All competitors will be REQUIRED to send in a boat waiver in order for their entry to be confirmed – PLEASE refer to entry downloads for both an athlete waiver and boat waiver.
Concerns to discuss with your Boat Captain.
- Extra Riders : A helper/Safety Swimmer is helpful. Person must know how to Swim and be Boat Oriented. Rider(s) must Swim Offshore to Board Vessel. Major concern is Liability for extra Passengers on Board. If boat is Big enough to carry extra Passenger an additional Fee may be required.
- Transporting Race Day Provision’s : To avoid hauling Provisions on the Plane or Swimming it out to the Boat. Make arrangements to have Provisions go to Molokai on Board your Escort Boat.
- Board Transportation Oahu to Molokai: Boards cannot go aboard planes. Escort Boats Hawaii has Boats with Racks to Transport Boards to Molokai. Space is Limited. Please advise Boat Coordinator if Board Transportation is Needed. Not all our Boats are Capable of carrying you Boards.
- Obtain a Picture or meet up with your Boat Captain once in Hawaii to Identify what your Boat looks like. There will be many Boats Offshore at the Start and very Difficult to Identify. You can drop water and provisions at this time also.
- When contacting us for an Escort Boat please give us the Category you will be Competing in ie: (Paddleboard / Stand Up, Stock / Open Class, Team Solo) that way we can get you a Boat that Fits your needs.
- At the end of the Race, please promptly locate your Escort Boat and collectyour personal belongings. Your Boat Captain will wait up to 15 minutes after you have crossed the Finish Line for you and may have to move the boat as not to create a Boat Congestion at the Finish Line. This is critical if you do not have a helper on board.
Safety Precautions/ things to consider as you organize your support boat
- All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG
- Make sure at least one person in your escort boat is CPR certified and has basic first aid knowledge and equipment.
- Make sure the tether to your paddleboard has a quick release feature. Wear brightly colored shorts and a hat. Carry or wear a personal flotation device.
- Carry a Coast Guard approved personal location device on your person.
- Have all persons on your escort boat wear personal flotation devices. Inspect your escort boat, make sure it is safe.
- Carry shark repellent and other anti shark devices. on your person or your escort boat.
- Make sure your boat has a bullhorn or megaphone so your boat can communicate with you.
- Make sure your boat has binoculars, flares, and other emergency equipment
- Meet with your escort boat captain at least 3 days before the race (the Wednesday pre-race meeting is a good time). Discuss the race morning loading plan, all safety procedures, race route, where to meet before the race starts so you can get you stuff on board, and how to hook up after the race starts. Make sure the race # sticker is on both sides of the boat in a clearly visible area.
- Make sure your boat shows up early enough to get your stuff on board.
- Make sure you carry your boat captain’s contact info with you at all times on Molokai. This includes, boat description/name, HA #, cell phone #, and home phone # and email.
