In its 15th year, the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship (M2O), presented by Kona Brewing Co., will host its largest field of international competitors, featuring the sport’s most elite athletes. On Sunday, July 31, 2011, an armada of more than 250 athletes on both prone and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) will attempt the 32-mile, open-ocean crossing of the infamous Ka’iwi (kah-EE-vee) Channel, also known as the Molokai Channel. Live race updates will be broadcast on Facebook andTwitter.
Australia’s effort to continue national dominance over the men’s solo prone paddleboard division is led by 34-year-old Jamie Mitchell who is seeking his tenth consecutive win. In 2007, Mitchell recorded the fastest ever Molokai crossing in a time of 4 hours, 48 minutes, 23 seconds.

“If you love paddling, this is the race of all races – it’s our Superbowl,” Mitchell said. “I love the feeling of apprehension, the nerves and waiting to see what the ocean’s going to deliver. The depth of talent in this year’s race is unsurpassed.”
Mitchell’s closest competition in the past 10 years has come from Brian Rocheleau. The 35-year-old Hawaiian has finished second to Jamie three times and in the top five in each of his solo crossings. Rocheleau would like nothing more than to break the Australian sweep seen at the 2010 race and return the title to the islands.
Australians Joel Mason, 29, and Jackson English, 36, are also vying for the top spot.

A host of talented newcomers to the M2O championship are expected to push the pace on Sunday. Two notable lifeguards are looking to add the sport’s most prestigious title to their collection of paddleboard victories.
Australian Wes Berg, 31, was reported to have fired a warning shot over the bow of the 2011 M2O championship after he staged an impressive win at an open-ocean warm-up race in Mitchell’s hometown of Currumbin.

Los Angeles County Lifeguard, Anthony Vela is also in this year’s mix. The 36-year-old Redondo Beach resident is coming off a recent win in June at the Jay Moriarty Memorial Paddleboard race in Santa Cruz, California. In his first 32-mile race at the Catalina Classic, Vela finished third.

On the women’s side, Kauai resident and eight-time M2O champion, Kanesa Duncan, made her entry to the race’s hall of fame in 2004, setting the current women’s record time on a stock paddleboard (5:53:49). Her record setting victory is proof that the power of the athlete, favorable water conditions and strong navigation skills can sometimes win the day on a stock board, rather than on a longer and more streamlined unlimited board.

Duncan, a 35-year-old professor of Marine Biology at the University of Hawaii, has been paddling in the unlimited class for the past eight years. While she is seeking her ninth win and would enjoy beating her record, Duncan says, “when you are battling the energy of the currents and swell that pass through the Ka’iwi Channel, victory is quite simply a matter of just getting to the finish. Molokai is the focus of my training all year.”

Making the switch from SUP to the prone division is Candice Appleby. Originally from San Clemente and now living in Honolulu, the 25-year-old has dominated the SUP race scene over the past few summers. Appleby hopes to transfer her SUP skills to a successful challenge in a division that has been dominated by her fellow waterwoman, Duncan, for nearly a decade.

The paddling world will be watching a rising star from the Sunshine Coast of Australia. Buderim, Queensland native Jordan Mercer, at the age of 18, is the youngest solo prone paddler in history to compete at the M2O World Championship. Mercer is following in the footsteps of her father, Dean, and uncle, Darren, whose names are legendary in Australian professional lifeguard competition.

The ancient Polynesian mode of transportation, stand-up paddleboarding, now more commonly referred to as SUP, is making a modern resurgence. At M2O this year, 52 solo racers will compete on stock and unlimited boards.

One of the sport’s most active supporters and 2010 M2O champion, Dave Kalama, 46, is a favorite in this year’s SUP division. Last year, the world-renowned waterman and big wave surfer from Maui set a SUP course record time of 4:54:15, just two minutes behind his prone paddleboard counterpart, Mitchell. Seeming evenly matched, bragging rights may be up for grabs between the two friends.

Connor Baxter, also from the island of Maui, is back after a fourth place finish in 2010 (5:12:43) and hoping to chase down Kalama. Recently, the 17-year-old Baxter exchanged leads with Kalama in a race over the Pailolo Channel, connecting Maui and Molokai. Baxter prevailed in this meeting, demonstrating that he is one year older, one year stronger and a serious contender for the M2O World Championship.

Scott Gamble, 35, from Honolulu is also returning and looking to better last year’s performance. Gamble was in contention for second place in 2010 before he made a miscalculation in the last few miles, tripping up on an inside wave and landing in third place (5:06:15).

The popularity of SUP is evident in the women’s race with a record field of more than 10 solo competitors led by returning champion Andrea Moller. Born on the island of Ilhabela, Brazil, Moller, 32, moved to Maui in 1998. Her 2010 win at the M2O World Championship was a women’s record at 6:00:00.

The 2009 M2O women’s champion (6:18:31), Jenny Kalmbach, returns for her third time. Born in Costa Rica, and now living on Kona, Kalmbach, 28, has risen quickly in a short career, building an impressive list of victories.

The 2011 stock class at M2O boasts two notable athletes from Honolulu. Erik Abbott and Andrew Logreco lead the field in their respective divisions of prone (Abbott) and SUP (Logrecco). Both will likely win their class and stand a strong chance of beating some of their unlimited counterparts to finish in the top 10 overall.
Behind the field of solo paddlers will be 75 teams in both the prone and SUP divisions, featuring the father-son duo of Aaron and Riggs Napoleon in the SUP division. The Napoleon’s are a famous Hawaiian waterman family. Last year Riggs was the youngest ever solo competitor to cross the channel at age 12.
Former Ironman Triathlon World Champion, Greg Welch, is making his return to endurance competition on a team with fellow triathlete Roch Frey and powerhouse paddler Chuck Glynn.

View Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship results history by clicking here.
ABOUT THE MOLOKAI-2-OAHU PADDLEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Celebrating its 15th anniversary on Sunday, July 31, 2011, the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, presented by Kona Brewing Co. is recognized as one of the world’s most challenging tests for endurance and courage. Covering 32 miles of open-ocean, over 250 competitors will cross the Ka’iwi (kah-EE-vee) Channel, from the North Shore of Molokai to the South Shore of Oahu, under their own power on prone paddleboards or stand-up paddleboards (SUP). The fastest athletes complete the crossing in just under five hours, facing treacherous currents, powerful swells and a depth of nearly one kilometer. Paddlers can ride swells for 100s of yards.
Competitors can choose to race as a solo paddler or as part of a team in either the unlimited class (no size limit and with a movable rudder system) or stock class (12 feet or under for paddleboard, 14 foot or under in SUP with fixed rudder).

The organizers and athletes of the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship thank the valued partners for making the annual race possible. Partners include (alphabetically): Dukes, Garmin, Hotel Renew, Kona Brewing Co., Maui Jim, Patagonia, Rogue, Sambazon, Scott Hawaii, Standup Paddle Magazine, Wahoos and Waterman’s
Sunscreen.

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, the historic Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship(M2O), presented byKona Brewing Co., will begin its 15th annual race with the largest field of competitors in its history. The event sold out in record time with a 20 percent increase in participation. Athletes representing 15 countries will attempt to successfully cross the 32-mile Ka’iwi Channel, also referred to as the Molokai Channel – the fastest vying for the most prestigious title in the sport of paddleboarding.

“We are looking forward to hosting the international field of competitors in Hawaii,” said Rob Farrow, director of operations for the M2O Group. “The increase in participation and the speed in which the race sold out is a positive sign of the health of the sport. We have over 250 participants representing 15 countries who have made a substantial commitment to compete in this race. Similar to the Ironman World Championships or the Triple Crown of Surfing, this event is an outstanding representation of some of the world’s best athletes who come to Hawaii to compete at the highest level of sport.”

M2O and its competitors exemplify the evolution paddleboarding from an obscure sport created by lifeguards and surfers from Hawaii and Southern California in the 1930′s, to a global phenomenon 80 years later. In addition to elite watermen and women, M2O also attracts adventure racers and endurance athletes who are looking for new outlets to train and test their physical abilities.

“The M2O race is the undisputed world championship of paddleboarding,” said Brad Gerlach, a 2010 competitor, former ASP world champion surfer, big wave pioneer and waterman. “You know you are about to attempt something special when you are on Kaluakoi Beach during the pre-race Pule’ (blessing), standing hand-in-hand with hundreds of athletes from around the world. Then you think about the legends that have crossed these waters – nothing compares to the Molokai race.”

For years the race was dominated by prone paddleboarders, but stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has an equal share in the annual event. Drawing the best athletes in both disciplines, the Molokai Channel is regarded as the greatest accomplishment in the sport, and, as such, the most fitting venue to crown a world champion.

The recent resurgence of paddleboarding began in the early part of the last decade with the introduction of the sport of SUP. Since then, SUP has become the fastest growing segment of the multi-billion dollar surf industry. The sport’s popularity has inspired the surf culture along coastlines, on rivers and lakes around the world. The influence of SUP and an athlete’s drive to compete is reflected in the record number of international SUP competitors making the trek to Hawaii to cross the Ka’iwi Channel this year.

One of the new breed of paddlers taking on the challenge is former Ironman Triathlon World Champion, Greg Welch.

“In paddling, this is ‘the race’,” said Welch, who will be taking on the channel for the first time this year as part of a SUP team. “I’ve been waiting, watching and training, I hope this will be the first of many Molokai crossings. I haven’t been this fired up for a race since my peak triathlon days.”

While paddleboarding may seem like an individual sport on the water, there is a team effort behind each athlete to assist in a successful crossing. Many teams are composed of family and friends who help coordinate logistics, hire local captains for escort boats, book travel and ship 18-foot paddleboards across the globe to Hawaii. This team aspect drives the feeling of camaraderie that can be felt during race week as athletes and their supporters gather in hotels, stores, restaurants around the start and finish lines to share stories and experiences before and after the race.

As teams converge on Oahu and Molokai it is estimated they will contribute over $3 million to the local economy and their efforts will generate over $50,000 for charity though the event’s 32::32 program and personal efforts made by a number of athletes crossing the channel for their designated cause.

ABOUT THE MOLOKAI-2-OAHU PADDLEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Celebrating its 15th anniversary on Sunday, July 31, 2011, the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, presented by Kona Brewing Co. is recognized as one of the world’s most challenging tests for endurance and courage. Covering 32 miles of open-ocean, over 250 competitors will cross the Ka’iwi (kah-EE-vee) Channel, from the North Shore of Molokai to the South Shore of Oahu, under their own power on prone paddleboards or stand-up paddleboards (SUP). The fastest athletes complete the crossing in just under five hours, facing treacherous currents, powerful swells and a depth of nearly one kilometer. Paddlers can ride swells for 100s of yards.

Competitors can choose to race as a solo paddler or as part of a team in either the unlimited class (no size limit and with a movable rudder system) or stock class (12 feet or under for paddleboard, 14 foot or under in SUP with fixed rudder).

The organizers and athletes of the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship thank the valued partners for making the annual race possible. Partners include (alphabetically): Dukes, Garmin, Hotel Renew, Kona Brewing Co., Maui Jim, Patagonia, Rogue, Sambazon, Scott Hawaii, Standup Paddle Magazine, Wahoos and Waterman’s Sunscreen.

32-mile ocean crossing tests the endurance and daring of men and women

Race updates and latest event information available thru Facebook page and Twitter feed

Honolulu, Hawaii (June 22, 2011) – Founded in 1997, the Molokai-2-Oahu (M2O) Paddleboard World Championship, presented by Kona Brewing Co., is set to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Sunday, July 31, 2011. Featuring 250 courageous athletes from more than 10 countries, the annual race will test the endurance of men and women as they cross the treacherous waters of the Ka’iwi (kah-EE-vee) Channel from Kaluakoi Beach on the north shore of Molokai to Maunalua Bay on the south shore of Oahu. Registration is open through July 1. Facebook and Twitter deliver latest event information and race updates.

Hailing from Australia’s Gold Coast, Jamie Mitchell, 34, leads the field of elite athletes in the unlimited paddleboard class who use only the power of their arms to propel their 18-foot crafts across the 32-mile wedge of ocean. Mitchell, who holds the fastest event time of 4 hours, 48 minutes, 23 seconds, has his sites set on an unprecedented tenth victory.

“The Molokai channel is such a personal pursuit for me. Combine 32 miles, strong currents, large swell and then the unpredictability of what’s going to happen out there – that’s the challenge that keeps me coming back year after year,” said Mitchell. “I don’t think you ever truly master the channel.”

On the women’s side, Kanesa Duncan, 35, returns to defend her crown. Seeking her ninth win, the 5-foot-4-inch Duncan will paddle a board that is more than three times her size with hopes of beating the women’s record of 5:53:49 she set in 2004.  Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Duncan moved to the United States at an early age. With dual citizenship, she represents both countries with pride. She discovered paddleboarding after moving to Oahu to attend the University of Hawaii. In addition to holding many records in the sport, she also holds doctorate in Marine Biology.

Upholding his lineage of great Hawaiian watermen, Dave Kalama, 46, is a favorite in this year’s Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) division. As one of the world’s most accomplished and recognized big wave surfers, Kalama actively promotes SUP and plans to defend his title having completed the 2010 crossing in a time of 4:54:15.

The popularity of SUP is evident in the women’s race with a record field more than 10 solo women including returning champs Jenny Kalmbach, 28 from Hawaii (2009, 6:18:31) and Andrea Moller 32, from Brazil (2010, 6:00:00).  Also in the women’s mix is Candice Appleby, 26, from Hawaii, considered one of the best SUP surfers in the sport.

Since its inception, the annual race has evolved from a grassroots challenge for the legendary lifeguards and watermen of Oahu’s North Shore. Today, M2O is the premiere event for the sport of paddleboarding. The race is comprised of four divisions and team relays that include traditional “stock” class boards and the “unlimited open” division that showcases some of the most technically advanced designs and materials from top manufacturers.

“Our goal is to grow the prominence of this race and preserve the traditional elements that attract the world’s most elite paddlers, while exposing more men, women and youth to the spirit and camaraderie of paddleboarding,” said race director Mike Takahashi. “This is without a doubt the most demanding race and held in the highest regard by the international paddling community.”

Having completed the inaugural M2O race in ‘97, Takahashi knows it is the power of the Ka’iwi Channel is what makes the race demanding. The stretch of water is also known as the Channel of Bones for its centuries old reputation for having claimed the lives of many, including ancient canoe fleets and modern-day fisherman and watermen. At a depth of 701 meters or 2,300 feet, ocean currents and varying swell heights are squeezed through the two islands creating turbulent water conditions.

The tragic loss of Hawaiian big-wave rider Eddie Aikau in the Ka’iwi Channel during the 1978 Polynesian voyage of the Hokule’a sailing canoe tempered watermen’s reverence for the powerful and wanton channel. After gale force winds and 30-foot swells disabled the vessel, Aikau purposely went overboard with his rescue paddleboard on a mission to seek help for his stranded crewmates. He was never seen again.

The channel’s lore serves to inspire athletes of all ages and physical ability to train for the endeavor.

Gerry Lopez, the legendary surfer who made his name at Pipeline and then as an actor in films, returns to this year’s race with two crossings under his belt.

“Molokai is a big bite, and you better be ready for it,” Lopez said. “When you get out there, everyone is awe struck.”

His first experience across the channel was in 2009, at age 60. He now lives in Bend, Oregon.

In 2010, Riggs Napoleon from Oahu completed this first solo crossing at the age 12. He returns this year to compete with his father Aaron. As the grandson of Nappy Napoleon, one of Oahu’s first Waikiki Beach Boys who has over 50 Molokai Channel crossings to his credit in an outrigger canoe, Riggs appears destined to carry on the family’s tradition.

Challenged athlete Mark Matheson, who is paralyzed from the waist down, ran into technical difficulties last year, forcing him to pull out of the race. Matheson and his paddleboard were running fine. It was his escort boat that became disabled with 10 miles to go, with land in sight. Race rules require competitors to start and complete the crossing with an escort boat for safety.

This year, Matheson is supported by two escort boats to ensure success. To improve his training, Matheson can be seen at popular surf breaks in Oahu pulling surfers out to the lineup for resistance training.

The Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship is anchored in Aloha, annually giving back to four local charities on Oahu and Moloka’i through the 32 for 32 (32::32) initiative.

The concept of 32::32 is a donation of one dollar per mile, or $32 for 32 miles. Donors who pledge with 32::32 receive a limited edition T-shirt and hat. Donations can be made online at Molokai2Oahu.com.

The 2011 beneficiaries are:

Moloka’i Community Service Council provides grants to projects such as anti-drug programs, health services, legal services, economic development and environmental initiatives.

Nā Kama Kai – Hawaiian for “Children of the Sea,” Nā Kama Kai promotes the ocean lifestyle to youth through free ocean awareness and safety clinics where children are able to interact with prominent members of the waterman community.

Malama Maunalua is a community-based group caring for the Maunalua region of southeast Oahu – the finish line of the Molokai-2-Oahu race. Malama Maunalua is a collaboration of more than a dozen prominent partners working together to create a community-based marine education and resource stewardship program.

The Rell Sunn Education Fund is a non-profit organization celebrating the life of Hawaii’s most famous waterwoman, Rell Sunn who died of Breast cancer in 1998.   The organization is focused on educating the public about sportsmanship, environment, combating juvenile delinquency and providing funds to battle breast cancer.

MOLOKAI-2-OAHU PADDLEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP’S VALUED PARTNERS

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 15th annual Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship,” said Kona Brewing Company President and CEO Mattson Davis. “The sport is such an integral part of life in Hawaii that we dedicated our latest beer to it, Koko Brown Coconut Brown Ale. This new addition to our lineup of Kona’s bottled beers, features vintage artwork depicting a stand up paddler on the waters of Maunalua Bay, the finish line of the race.”

The organizers and athletes of the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship thank the valued partners for making the annual race possible. Partners include (alphabetically): Dukes, Garmin, Hotel Renew, Kona Brewing Co., Maui Jim, Patagonia, Rogue, Sambazon, Standup Paddle Magazine and Waterman’s Sunscreen.