Molokai to Oahu Questions

[Bald Brother]

I am thinking about making this a long term goal for 2013, as an individual or team. For all you who have made the attempt, what are your training regimens, diets, costs of doing the race, times, things you don't think about?

 I've read, "You need to be in the best shape of your life" and "know the ocean" but I want more details from which to work. You can find  this info easily for marathon training but M2O seems like a completely different, more intensive animal.

Any and all info would be appreciated.

[headmount]

I've never done it.  Cost is huge.  An escort boat is several hundred to a grand and you should get someone who knows the channel well since they will be your lifeline to a good course line. Very important.  Entry fee isn't cheap either.  But if you have the budget then wrapping your head around the event is the next step.  

You hear many of us here in this state talk about downwinders and how much fun they are.  M2O is lined up like a downwinders but it has subtle twists that turn out to be rather big deals.  For example, many years the wind isn't exactly downwind to Oahu.  The distance is over 30 miles after all the vectoring and course corrections you might do.  Many have told me about parts of the course that have been great fun (gliding) on SOME years but they always tell me there are other parts that are never fun.  There can be counter tides off Oahu at the end of the journey when you are getting tired.  Turning into the finish can have wind in your face.  This distance implies a time frame (5-8hrs) where not only a hydration scheme must be used but also some kind of food that works for you when you're going full-out.  Yeah it's tough.  If it gets sloppy out there will you get seasick?  or cramp?  Some great paddlers on this forum like BluePlanet have posted about cramping.  if a guy like him has issues, you know it's tough.

There is a race from Maui to Molokai which can have outstanding conditions, still long, but a better chance to see how you hold up out in the wild blue.

[headmount]

Oh yeah and then there's the cost of shipping or buying a channel size board and the wear and tear of moving inter island before and after the race.

[PonoBill]

There's actually a guy working either for or with Mark at SIC to rent big F boards and bullets. Not sure of the details, but you can probably ask Mark about it.

From what everyone has told me about Molokai to Oahu it's not a fun race. Dave Kalama told me he tries to talk himself out of it every year, and always swears each year is the last one. Knowing Dave I've got to say, if he doesn't want to do it, I Damn sure don't. I will do the Maui to Molokai before I kaack.

[blueplanetsurf]

Doing the Molokai race solo is very tough, both physically and mentally.  If you want to enjoy it, do it as a three man team.
I did it solo the last three years and told myself I don't want to do it again but who knows how I feel about it by next Summer.  It is a big challenge and a worthy goal, for sure.  Last year, Jeff Chang organized a Wet Feet training group.  I'm not sure if he's planning to do that again but if so, that's a great way to prepare.
The Maui to Molokai race sounds good, for sure, so maybe I'll do that race in 2012 instead of the M2O, it's supposed to be fun, right?
I posted this link on the zone before, but here are my "mental notes" after my first Molokai race in 2009 that you might find helpful:
http://zenwaterman.blogspot.com/2009/08/2009-molokai-channel-crossing-mental.html

[1paddle2paddle]

As Bill noted, if you are going for your first channel crossing, and you are going to do it solo, it might be a better idea to do the Maui to Molokai crossing first.  That race is almost as long, and from the video I've seen its plenty heavy, but it does not get progressively harder the further you go as the Molokai to Oahu race (M2O) does.  The problem with the M2O (or the challenge if you are a positive-type person) is that the conditions get more and more challenging the further you go, coinciding with the fatigue that is taxing the racers as the race goes on.  Whereas the Maui to Molokai race the more challenging conditions are earlier in the race, and you get to finish with a fantastic downwind run.

The "know the ocean" stuff is simply that there is no substitute for experience, and for that channel it is very true.  You basically cannot mentally prepare for the conditions by doing flat water training.  The seas can be bigger and heavier than anything you would likely see doing near-coastal downwind runs. 

[lazymodo]

Dont think about it, sign up and go. If you REALLY want it (and this is the single most important ingredient), and you properly prepare yourself, you can do it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Look at Mark Matheson and Jeff Denholm . Those guys reaaaallyy wanted it and they went over , several times, and walked the walk. True men.
You live on the Cape right? I spent almost 2 hours typing a reply and lost it but If you'd like to talk details,send me a P.M. and we can talk on the phone. Being that we are both from the North East the training conditions, travel and logistics would all be very similar. Some of the best advice  ever given to me was on the eve of the race. " You wanna finish? Just don't get on the boat. No matter what. Just keep paddling , and eventually you'll get to the other side." Jackson English.
I think that philosophy can be applied to most challenges in life.

[KelpFarmer]

I was fortunate enough to spend the summer on Maui and did most of the races as well as the M2O solo on a Bullet.  Everything everyone says is right: it is hard, you can do it if you want it and are prepared to work.  But man is it all fun!

First, the Aloha of the other paddlers and their families was amazing.  Everyone was kind, giving and generous.

Of all the races the 2nd leg of the SUP Triple Crown was the most miserable (other than the last mile of M20).  The Maui to Molokai was easily the most fun!  Surfing big open ocean waves of what literally was miles on an 18' board just hauling ass......

I did a little write up of the races here: http://www.kelpfarmer.com/blogs/news/3746192-team-kelp-farmer-paddles-maui-the-recap

[surfcowboy]

Also consider the Catalina Classic as a warm up. Similar distance, probably easier to manage support and travel for you and a great race. Also, here's the list of qualifying races.

http://catalinaclassicpaddleboardrace.org/raceinfo.html

I agree to disagree on the negativity. If you want to do it, you can. Also, I learned long ago to never put my limitations on others. What's too long or too expensive for me, might be easy, and cheap for someone else and vice versa.

Do it.

[lazymodo]

Are they allowing stand ups in the Catalina Classic? I thought it was all prone, (which is cool by me.) I know the Catalina Challenge is open to them.

[Seattle-Wind]

KelpFarmer - Thanks for posting the write-ups of your racing experiences las summer...those races are awesome accomplishments. Reading stories like this helps me stay motivated to train.

[Bald Brother]

It's a very long term goal and I do think a team might be the best way to orient to it. Much obliged for all the recs. Battle of the Paddle and The Catalina are on the bucket list.

[surfcowboy]

Yes, Catalina has allowed standup for a while but you have to qualify by entering other events. That can be a rough crossing.