SUZers; Who's doing the QS Molokai to Oahu Race

[Big Island Mike]

I would love to meet some of the SUZ gang. Who will be there?

[HaleiwaBill]

Well if no one else is coming I will show up!!

See ya there Mike, I cant wait!!!

[Byronmaui]

Mike or anyone that has done this race gives us some insight like:

How do you know what direction to paddle?

Support boat how near do they stay to you?

What kind of hydration?

Do you carry a phone or 2 way radio?

Do you carry an extra paddle on the board?

etc.

Aloha

Byron

[capobeachboy]

I really wish I was going but the skyrocketing airfare and escort boat fees are keeping me local. 

You got your race info and rules right here:
http://hawaiipaddleboardassociation.com/hawaii-paddleboard-events-schedule/2008-quiksilveredition-molokai-to-oahu-paddleboard-race/

Good story on the race here: http://www.paddleboard.com/articles/view/128

Good luck and following seas to all who paddle.  Word has it there will be at least one new well-known athlete competing and some interesting new craft.

[Admin]

I would love to meet some of the SUZ gang. Who will be there?

We really would love to, but are way late for this year.   We had no idea that the dowind/race thing would hook us like it did.  We are planning on doing it as a mixed team next year.  Here is a very jealous best of luck to all of those who are in.

[Kaweeka]

Some off the wall comments . . .

1) You can legally draft behind your escort boat for 15 minutes   Work that right and you will have a huge lead right off the bat

2) No prize money for the stand up category   Do I smell a SUP only race next year?

3) Inter-island racing is becoming too expensive and is about as "green" as Al Gore's mansion   The channel is a neat place but someone has to figure out a safe way to do it without an escort for every board and find a better way to get you and your board over to Kaluakoi.  Would this work: 

The SuperFerry could take a short detour and everyone would throw their boards into the water (and jump in after them).  Then have 4 escort boats in a diamond pattern (1 in front,1 behind, and the other 2 above and below), make everyone carry an emergency kit (radio, flares, etc.), and have a couple of other boats cruising the pack with water and to pick anyone up who got in trouble.  As Byron relates to this is where a spare paddle would come in real handy too (and maybe some paddling mitts if you break two!).

4) I really like the idea of a team event and some of the above would not work for them.  But they split the cost of the escort and this would put more emergency/re-hydration boats on the water.

5) Direction - best to find a wise old man (or two or three) and put them on your escort boat.  If you and your friend are equal in all other respects and you have Nappy in your escort - you will kick ass   Then again the combinations of wind and tide are endless; sometimes it is better just to go straight.  The nicest thing about Molokai to Oahu is you have so many reference points that you can line up on; once you have picked a course it is pretty easy to follow it.

Like many others a distance board of some sort will be added to the quiver by the fall (what a great way to stay fit for those special times you can get away to the north side).  Not sure if I will be out racing since I've had enough of that but there are a whole bunch of "runs" I just can't wait to be good enough to get out and try.

Good luck to all who enter - and surf'um if you got'um   I look forward to next year's Camelbak/WestMarine/SuperFerry Molokai to Oahu SUP Race 

[Byronmaui]

Kaweeka nice comments. How about the superferry be the lead escort boat and we all ride in the wake then 2 miles from the finish a mad sprint to the finish line.

On a serious note I hope one day to do the team relay. That is a big hope though.

Aloha

Byron

[capobeachboy]

Early solo results are in: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080727/BREAKING02/80727059   Any first hand reports?

[Chan]

The results are in.  Congrats to everyone who participated. 


 
Men, stand-up paddle
Solo unlimited: 1, Duane DeSoto, 6:17:06. 2, Kevin Horgan, 6:45:33. 3, Kevin Seid, 7:31:43. Solo stock: 1, Jack Gillen, 7:02:46. Team unlimited: 1, Ekolu Kalama/David Kalama, 4:50:02. 2, Scott Trudon/Alan Cadiz, 5:16:33. 3, Greg Sheehan/Philip Binney, 5:46:34. Team stock: 1, Buzzy Kerbox/Campbell Farrell, 5:33:02. 2, Todd Bradley/Christian Bradley, 5:35:47. 3, Greg Pavao/Noland Martin, 5:37:35.

Women, stand-up paddle
Team: 1, Maria Souza/Andrea Moller, 6:28:21. 2, Tiare Lawrence/Dane Ward, 6:50:13. 3, Jennifer Konohia/Lani Gomes, 7:06:15.

Mixed, stand-up paddle
Celebrity: 1, Team Guerrero/Pestana, 6:39:31. 2, Team Keaulana/Dudley, 7:27:23. 3, Team Chun/Keaulana, 7:56:00.