AUGUST 2026

The Channel Masters recognizes solo prone paddleboard athletes who complete both the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O) and the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race during the same season. Together, these legendary crossings represent more than 64 miles of open-ocean racing and connect two of the sport’s most iconic events.

WHAT IS CHANNEL MASTERS?

Beginning in 2026, Channel Masters recognizes athletes who take on both the Kaiwi Channel and Catalina Channel in the same summer. Supported by the United States Coast Guard, the recognition celebrates competitors who embrace two of the most challenging and historic open-ocean paddleboard races in the world.

Athletes complete:

Combined times from both races determine the official Channel Masters standings.

THE “SINGLE DOUBLE”

Winning Both Crossings in the Same Summer

While Channel Masters officially launched in 2026, a select group of athletes achieved an even rarer accomplishment long before the recognition existed.

Known informally as the “Single Double,” this distinction belongs to athletes who won both the Molokai 2 Oahu World Championships and the Catalina Classic in the same summer.

Only eight athletes in history have accomplished this feat.

The first athlete to complete the Single Double was Tim Gair in 1998. His achievement helped establish the benchmark for future generations of paddleboarders seeking success across both channels.

Today, Channel Masters provides a platform to preserve that history, celebrate the athletes who set the standard, and inspire future competitors to pursue one of the sport’s most difficult achievements.

ABOUT THE CATALINA CLASSIC

Founded in 1955, the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race is one of the oldest and most respected endurance paddleboard races in the world. The legendary 32-mile crossing takes athletes from Catalina Island to Manhattan Beach, California, and remains one of the sport’s most prestigious challenges.

ABOUT MOLOKAI 2 OAHU

Founded in 1997, the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships is one of the world’s premier open-ocean endurance races. The event challenges athletes to cross Hawaii’s legendary Kaiwi Channel, connecting Molokai and Oahu over a demanding 32-plus-mile course.