Molokai Solo- this year it's on!!!!!!

[Big Island Mike]

This year should be VERY interesting in the Molokai to Oahu. I don't know if it is the money or what (Quiksilver is out and Rainbow is in) but many of the top guys are going solo. I was wondering when this would happen and suprised it took so long... Should be REAL interesting.

Also to consider, if the starts are not staggered, and prone paddlers do not go early, this could be the first year Jamie is beaten to the finish, then this "superbowl of paddling races" will be more of a SUP event.

WOW.  I hope this gets covered real well. This is going to be HUGE!!! 

[Shawn Michael]

Hey mike, dont the paddleboarders finish the course much fast than SUP guys due to the conditions of this race?  It would be amazing to see but looking at the history of finish times it seems like Molokai is way better suited to paddleboarders. 

[warped]

I'm really looking forward to this race as well.  Which top guys are going solo this year?  Anybody know of any new competitors expecting to challenge for the top spots, or is it just the usual suspects?  Is the finish at Waikiki or Hawaii Kai?  Either way, I'll be there watching the finish and the festivities.  I know it's still more than a month away, but if anybody else was planning on checking out the finish, we should all meet up.  We can bbq, have some drinks, and live vicariously through all the guys who are actually competing. 

[Big Island Mike]

I know Kalama and Jamie are really close in their Maliko times, within minutes, will be interesting to see how it pans out over the longer distence. With a wind at your back standing actually helps. Yes this will be VERY interesting, if a SUP comes in first or has the better time overall...   

[noa]

the Maliko run is straight downwind but the Molokai is usually not so much of a clean downwind. so i guess paddleboarders would have the advantage for that race ?

[Kaweeka]

To me the SUP killers in the Molokai race are the back wash that turns the ocean into a washing machine a mile (or more) before you reach the point and the the 1.5 miles or so directly into the wind.  The top SUP guys have amazing balance and strength but a lower center of gravity is a huge advantage over those last few miles.

[Big Island Mike]

that last strech coming around portlock to the beach is straight into the wind and standing up it is NO fun, especially after all that and the last 5 miles dealing with the currents, tide, rebounds off the cliffs. It is gnarly... Way better to be laying down at that point for sure.

[J.Riggs]

Here's a cool video of those rebound rides at the end.     Molokai Surfski Padling

[warped]

That's a great video!  So any word yet on who's doing the race?  Are a lot of mainland guys coming down for this?  Chuck Patterson, etc.?

[J.Riggs]

I'm sure that most people that did the race last year will be back. It's a very addicting race. I know because I did it in 2007 and in 2008 I was sitting on my couch at home on race day wishing I was out there in the channel. I'll be out there this year.
 
I heard that Lopez and Sparky were teaming up.

[Big Island Mike]

Jeremy,  you teaming with Nabil again? 

[J.Riggs]

I'm teaming up with Mark R. this year. How about you?

[Big Island Mike]

Good match! My money is on you guys. Best of luck. I'm not going, too busy here and it is a huge expense coming from OZ. Maybe next year... 

[J.Riggs]

Thanks Mike. I didn't know you moved. I've always wanted to go there and visit. If there's ever a race over there and you need a partner let me know.
Hope you can make it next year.

[warped]

So how are the conditions looking for sunday?!  Wind seems to have died down quite a bit.