The Ka’iwi Channel is known as the graveyard of bones and is at all times scary, dramatic and beautiful. It connects the island of Molokai to the island of Oahu. Get inside the race through the minds of the athletes and enjoy the drama that emerges from the world’s top paddleboard race.

Honolulu, HI (March 1, 2012) – Organizers of the 16^th annual Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O), presented by Kona Longboard Island Lager, today opened online registration on the event’s redesigned website at www.molokai2oahu.com. The announcement officially kicks off the countdown to race day on Sunday, July 29, 2012. Prone and Stand Up Paddleboarders (SUP) from 15 countries will compete in this year’s 32-mile race across the infamous Ka’iwi Channel between the islands of Molokai and Oahu. The event is expected to sell out well before the July 1^st deadline. Athletes are encouraged to register early to secure a position at the start line.

 Men and women can register as solo competitors or on teams of two and three. Stock and unlimited boards are welcome in the solo and three-person team races. Only stock boards may be used in the two-person team competition. Entry fee includes official M2O championship T-shirt, race jersey and dinner at the famous Outrigger Canoe Club as part of the post-race award ceremony.

The pre-race expo and mandatory packet pick-up will be hosted at Dukes Waikiki on July 26.

M2O event organizers are also excited to announce a distribution partnership with The Surf Network for the official 2010 and 2011 Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship highlight video.  The Surf Network delivers an extensive collection of premium surf video content on numerous platforms to viewers worldwide.

Featured now on the M2O website is a sneak peak at the new 2012 race art created by artist Matt Beard of Eureka California, as well as the first of a series of monthly videos produced by Soul Surf Media to get racers fired up for the upcoming challenge. Also featured is a growing media gallery of race images.

As additional features are added to the M2O website leading up to race day, competitors and paddleboard fans can receive updates on the official Facebook page and through Twitter.

ABOUT THE MOLOKAI-2-OAHU PADDLEBOARD WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Founded in 1997, the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, presented by Kona Longboard Island Lager, is set to celebrate its 16^th anniversary on Sunday, July 29, 2012. The annual race has grown from a grassroots challenge for the legendary lifeguards and watermen of Oahu to the premiere event for the sport of paddleboarding. More than 250 courageous men and women from 15 countries will attempt to cross 32 miles of treacherous open ocean known as 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.

The fastest athletes complete the crossing in less than five hours, facing powerful currents as they surf atop swells that can reach heights of more than 12 feet and carry athletes for hundreds of yards.   

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

The organizers and athletes of the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship, presented by Kona Longboard Island Lager, thank the event’s valued partners for making the annual race possible (alphabetically): Dukes, Garmin, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Kona Longboard Island Lager, Maui Jim, Rogue SUP, Teva and Watermans Applied Science.

Organizers of the 16th annual Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship (M2O), presented by Kona Longboard Lager, is launching a redesigned website to kick off the countdown to race day on Sunday, July 29, 2012. Past competitors and race fans are the first to see the developing site before it is officially announced on Thursday, March 1 when online registration opens for prone and stand up paddleboarders (SUP) who plan to participate in the 32-mile race. Print entries can be downloaded now going to the registration page

The race is open to solo competitors and teams.  Stock and unlimited boards are welcome in the solo races. Only stock boards may be used in the 2 person team competition.  The 3 person team competition is for non elite paddlers and board may be stock or unlimted.  All prospective participants are encouraged to guarantee their spot at the start line by registering as soon as possible. The 2012 race is expected to sell out early.  All participants must be approved by the race committee in order for their entry to be official.  Race information and rules are available here

Registration Fees:

• $200.00 for individuals, $350.00 for 2 person teams for entries received before June 1, 2012
• $250 for individuals and $400.00 for 2 person teams for entries received after June 1, 2012
• 3 person teams will be $450.00 before June 1 and $500 after June 1. 2012
• Entry fee includes t-shirt, race jersey, light lunch and refreshments at the finish, and awards dinner. Extra dinners $25.00.

NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER JULY 1st 2011.

The site will soon host a growing media gallery to feature new videos uploaded monthly to get racers excited for the challenge. Showing now is the 2011 race highlight video produced by Chris Aguilar. Also planned for the media gallery is an expanded photo collection.

Take a sneak peak at the new race artwork created by Matt Beard of Eureka, CA click here.

View more video

Matt Beard is a Northern California artist whose work has become recognized throughout the world, having been published in the Surfer’s Journal, Surfer, Surfing, Longboard Magazine and others.  Despite the attention he’s received for his art, he is no stranger to struggling though each month , somehow, managing to get by and feed his kids through his tireless pursuit of making art.

Beard’s recent endeavors are driven by a humanitarian desire to make a difference in the lives of those with greater needs. He recently created a website and organized an ongoing project called the Board Art Benefit.  The project has been a huge success, raising over $13,000 to date for SurfAid International.

Beard was inspired to create this year’s artwork for the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships by the thought of a grueling open ocean paddle that resonates with him as an artist. Trying to make a livelihood from making art can be a test of endurance like no other.  Artists often wonder if they’ll even make it to shore, and Beard is no different.  But one thing he knows is to just keep paddling. That said, he wouldn’t mind if a boat full of sandwiches and beers pulled up next to him once in awhile.

Matt Beard’s website www.beardart.com will soon host samples of his art. Look for more of his work to be incorporated into the race as race day gets closer.

“The Crossing”, encaustic and oil on 16”x20” wood panel, March, 2011, by Terry Lopez

I created this piece with the 32 mile Molokai paddleboard crossing solely in mind.  My husband Victor Lopez and my son Shaun Lopez along with many friends here in Hawaii and the mainland have completed this race across the Ka’iwi Channel between Molokai and Oahu many times.  Hearing them talk about their experiences was inspiring to me to try and capture the essence of that race in my work.  Talk of the roles the pertinent currents, winds, tides, and the moon cycle all play in the direction of the course taken on race day, as well as, how far away the Makapuu Point Mountains  appear on the horizon, if at all, as it slowly come into focus during the crossing. For so many paddlers and watermen, this race is their Mt. Everest; making this crossing seems to be a rite of passage that challenges them on so many levels. This feeling of the race was what I was trying to capture in this piece, “The Crossing”.

I received an MFA in drawing and painting from California State University at Fullerton where I also taught foundation painting and drawing classes for several years before returning to Maui in 2009.  I have also had my work shown in various group, solo, and juried shows in both California and Hawaii as well as in numerous private collections. I currently am teaching at the Hui No’eau Visual Arts center in Makawao, Maui, Hawaii where I also live with my husband, Victor Lopez. We have two grown children Allyson Lopez-Eckert and Shaun Lopez, and three grand-daughters—all of them waterpeople.    

My Website is www.terrylopezart.com

Sunday, July 31, 2011 produced favorable race conditions with 15 to 20-knot winds and eight foot swells. Athletes at the 15th Annual Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship (M2O), presented by Longboard Island Lager took advantage by setting records in each division and class over the 32-mile crossing of the Ka’iwi Channel – also known as the Molokai Channel. A record sold out field competed on both prone and stand-up paddleboards.

View latest pre-race video in pane to right by Soul Surf Media – 72 hours to race day in anticipation of Mitchell’s 10-for-10.

Australia’s Jamie Mitchell won an unprecedented tenth consecutive world championship in a record time of 4 hours, 40 minutes, 31 seconds, beating his 2007 record (4:48:23) by eight minutes. The 34-year-old stood in victory on his 18-foot unlimited class paddleboard as he drifted across the finish line, pumping his hands to the sky before jumping in to Maunalua Bay

“It’s my fastest time, but it didn’t feel like it,” Mitchell said referring to the varying winds and currents. “It feels great to set the record. I’m not looking too far ahead, but this may be my last world championship on a traditional paddleboard. This is a great way to move on to a new challenge, but I just want to enjoy this feeling for a while.”

Mitchell’s possible departure from the prone class leaves others to wonder if they could have ever beaten the 10-for-10 champion known as Mitcho.

Mitchell is a newlywed and will soon relax on his honeymoon.

As the finish line announcer yelled, “It’s Baxter time,” the men’s stand-up paddleboard (SUP) division welcomed a new, young champion in Connor Baxter. The 16-year-old from the island of Maui finished in 4:26: 10, taking down Dave Kalama’s record time from 2010 (4:54:15) by nearly 30 minutes.

Baxter’s win didn’t come without feeling of total exhaustion that is often experienced by the athletes who challenge the Molokai Channel.

“I found the lucky line,” Baxter said. “When I turned down (in to the bay) I took the lead. “I’m stoked to be here and I can’t wait to go lie down.”

A teenager also prevailed in the women’s prone paddleboard division. In her first attempt at the Molokai Channel, Australian Jordan Mercer, 17, crushed the women’s record set in 2004 (5:53:49) by Kanesa Duncan Seraphin by more than 30 minutes at 5:22:31. The humble champion described her record as a bonus, but was real about the enormity of the race.

“To finish this race is such a mean feat in itself,” said Mercer. “I don’t think I can describe how hard that was and I don’t think anyone can prepare you for the pain that I just experienced.”

Mercer’s father Darren has crossed the channel six times, but never on a board and never solo. He took pride in his daughter’s accomplishment of being the first in the family to successfully cross solo.

Both Baxter and Mercer are the youngest solo champions in M2O World Championship history.

Also joining the ranks with Mercer and Baxter is Haile Harrison, 16, winner of the stock SUP division with a time of 6:24:48. Haile is the youngest solo woman to make the crossing in event history.

Andrea Moller staged a repeat performance from 2010, finishing at the top of the women’s SUP field in a time of 5:26:51. She beats her record of 6:00:00. The big wave surfer wanted to come back this year and enjoy competing in a record field of female racers.

“I am proud of all these girls who are training so hard for this race – it will only make the sport stronger,” Moller said. “Crossing the Molokai Channel is a dream.”

Moller, 31, teared up when she was asked about her daughter and her thoughts about the youth of the sport.

“Win or lose, I know I have a cute little daughter at home,” Moller said. “I know I am an example to her and her friends and it is motivating to be able to teach them a love for the ocean.”
Eric Abbott, 24, from Oahu continued his dominance in the prone division on a stock board, winning in a time of 5:26:59.

Andrew Logreco, 26, also from Oahu won the men’s stock SUP race for the second time in 5:13:45. He bests his 2010 time of 5:25:53.

Men’s Top Three Prone Finishers (Unlimited Class)

1. Jamie Mitchell, 34, Australia, 4:40:31
2. Brad Gaul, 32, Australia, 4:47:45
3. Jackson English, 34, Australia, 4:53:03

Men’s Top Three SUP Finishers (Unlimited Class)

1. Connor Baxter, 16, USA (Maui), 4:26:10
2. Scott Gamble, 35, USA (Oahu), 4:30:10
3. Livio Menelau, 33, Brazil (Maui), 4:33:13

Women’s Top Three Prone Finishers (Unlimited Class)

1. Jordan Mercer, 17, Australia, 5:22:31
2. Kanesa Duncan Seraphin, 35, USA (Kauai), 5:50:19
3. Candace Appleby, 25, USA (Oahu), 6:10:41

Women’s Top Three SUP Finishers (Unlimited Class)

1. Andrea Moller, 31, Brazil (Maui), 5:26:51
2. Talia Gangini, 18, USA, Maui, 5:30:57
3. Annabel Anderson, 30, New Zealand, 5:34:00

Men’s Top Three Prone Paddleboard (Stock Class)

1. Eric Abbott, 24, USA (Oahu), 5:26:59
2. Cameron Cole, 23, Australia, 5:35:18
3. Bert Charlton, 43, USA (Oahu) 5:41:05

Women’s Prone Paddleboard (Stock Class)

1. Joanna Bilancieri, 37, USA (Oahu), 6:39:02

Men’s Top Three SUP (Stock Class)

1. Andrew Logreco, 26, USA (Oahu), 5:13:45
2. Armie Armstrong, 40, New Zealand, 5:28:56
3. Simon Dodd, 33, USA (Oahu), 6:10:19

Women’s SUP (Stock class)

1. Haile Harrison, 16, USA (Oahu), 6:24:48

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 Longboard Island Lager. 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, Longboard Island Lager, Maui Jim, Patagonia, Rogue, Sambazon, Scott Hawaii, Standup Paddle Magazine, Wahoos and Waterman’s Sunscreen.

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 and Twitter.

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, Darren, and uncle, Dean, 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 by Kona 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.

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::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.