General Rules

We have compiled all the information that you will need in planning for your race and travel in the following sections. We will be updating this section as we get closer to the event and encourage you to check back regularly

The 16th Annual Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboarding Word Championships will take place on July 29th 2012, crossing the Ka’iwi Channel that connects the Islands of Molokai and Oahu. This 32-mile journey across the 2,300 foot deep channel has challenged athletes since the first organized outrigger race in 1952.

Competitors can choose to race on either a traditional paddleboard or a Stand Up Paddboard (SUP) as a solo paddler or as a team. The solo paddlers can choose to paddle 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).

Classes Recognized:

• Men’s Solo Unlimited Paddleboard
• Women’s Solo Unlimited Paddleboard
• Men’s Solo Unlimited SUP
• Women’s Solo Unlimited SUP
• Men’s Solo Stock Paddleboard
• Women’s Solo Stock Paddleboard
• Men’s Solo Stock SUP
• Women’s Solo Stock SUP
• Men’s Team Paddleboard
• Women’s Team Paddleboard
• Men’s Team SUP
• Women’s Team SUP
• 3-person team PB and SUP Men, Women or mixed no age groups.  3-person teams are not open for elite paddlers and are under the discretion of final approval from the race director.  If you have any immediate questions please contact the race director.   info@molokai2oahu.com

1. All paddlers must wear official event jerseys (provided at no charge) during the entire race, failure to do so will result in an automatic disqualification. Escort boats and boards must have race number stickers. (to be picked up at REGISTRATION)
2. Teams may only use ONE board.
3. All athletes must wear official race jersey for both start and finish of race.
4. No drafting after the first 15 minutes of the race. Drafting is defined as being in the wake of a craft or fellow paddler for more than 1 minute in any 5 minute span.
5. Any assistance from boats other than passing of food or liquids will result in automatic disqualification.  If you are feeding direct from the boat the boat must be in neutral and not moving forward.   Paddler can paddle into boat, grab food and continue.  At no time can the paddler hold onto the boat for any forward advantage.
6. Paddlers must stay with their escort boat at all times, even in the event of the boat having a mechanical failure. Any attempt to complete the race without an escort boat will result in an automatic disqualification.
7. Safety of all participants is the top priority. All athlete and boat waivers must be signed and suggested safety precautions must be reviewed.
8. All paddlers should be securely tethered to their boards.
9. Stand up paddlers must complete the entire race standing up. Kneeling or sitting for more than one minute at a time will result in a time penalty to be determined by race officials.  Aid exchanges not included.
10. You may switch boards in the event of an equipment failure; however you may not change equipment class. In the event of equipment failure, the broken equipment must be presented to race officials to verify the failure, and a time penalty may be assessed.
11. The race may be canceled if ocean conditions are deemed too hazardous by race officials (no refunds on entries).
12. All paddlers must attend the pre race briefing on July 28th, 2011 at 6:00pm at the Kalua Koi Villas for last minute instructions and input on weather.
13. Meet on the beach at 6:15am on race morning, July 29th for final instructions and group prayer.
14. All racers must be respectful of the rules and property of the entire Kalua Koi complex.
15. If you withdraw from the race, you must radio the HEAD OFFICIAL BOAT on VHF 71 or 72  and let them know that you are withdrawing from the race. If your escort boats’ radio is broken, then physically check with the HEAD OFFICIAL BOAT, which will be stationed at Portlock Point after the first finisher comes in.

Start Information:

1. There will be three starts. The SOLO paddleboard and SUP start at 7:30 am, the 2-man paddleboard and SUP at 8:00 am, and paddleboard and SUP 3-man teams at 8:20. The race starts between two buoys about 150 yards from shore.
2. Race Prayer will be at 6:45
3. SOLO athletes need to have equipment off the beach and on their escort boats before 7am on race morning. Escort boats will wait off to the south side of the starting area.
4. After the SOLO start at 7:30am, the escort boats will follow behind the final paddler until 30 minutes into the event or until the HEAD OFFICIAL boat gives the OK. The escort boats are then free to support their paddlers.
5. 2-man teams need to have their equipment off the beach and on their escort boats no later than 7:30am. SUP escort boats will wait off to the south side of the starting area.  Remember the start is on the North and the loading of boats is on the South side of the course.
6. After the 2-man start at 8:00am, the 2-man escort boats will follow behind the final paddler until 30 minutes after the start or until the HEAD OFFICIAL boat gives the OK. The escort boats are then free to support their paddlers.
7. 3-man teams will follow same rules.  Loaded on the south side by 8 am.   Start is 8:20.  3-man escort boats will follow behind the final paddler of this heat until the HEAD OFFICIAL boat gives the OK for escort boats to connect with their TEAM.