Paddlers ready to cross Kaiwi Channel today

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

Just like the conditions across the Kaiwi Channel, potential outcomes for tomorrow's Quiksilver Silver Edition Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race are virtually impossible to predict.

Sean Monahan won the Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race in 1999 and 2000. The five-year-old race is recognized as the world championship of long-distance paddleboarding. Advertiser library photo

In only its fifth year of existence, the event is already recognized as the world championship of long-distance paddleboarding.

"The mere challenge of crossing that channel makes it a special race," said Australian Mick Dibetta, who set the course record of 5 hours, 22 minutes, 48 seconds in 1997. "But you have guys from all around the world entering it, so it really is a big thing to win it."

The top competitors are in the open division, which means they can use boards of any length. There is also a "stock" division for competitors riding standard-sized boards of 12 feet.

Among the intriguing entries:

• Sean Monahan, the two-time defending champion who recently became a firefighter in Kane'ohe after several years as a lifeguard.

Despite the new job, he is sticking with his old training methods, which consist mostly of solo practice sessions. He will also use the same 17-foot-2 board he paddled to victory last year.

"I tried out a new board earlier this year, but I won't be using it," he said. "I'll try and keep everything the same as last year."

• Jimmy Austin, who placed fifth in his first try at the race last year.

"I was prepared for something pretty grueling," said Austin, a member of the Outrigger Canoe Club. "I just didn't know how mind-boggling it was going to be."

•	Quiksilver Silver Edition Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race Start at Kaluako'i Hotel, Moloka'i; finish at Maunalua Bay, O'ahu (32 miles) 7:30 a.m. start; first finishers expected around 12:30 p.m. Competitors can enter either solo or as two-person teams; paddleboards are classified as either open (any length) or stock (12 feet)

• Aaron Napoleon, an accomplished waterman who is entering the race for the first time.

Napoleon, son of legendary canoe paddler Joseph "Nappy" Napoleon, is considered one of the state's best big-wave surfers and solo canoe paddlers.

• Dawson Jones, a perennial contender who placed second last year.

Jones has set course records in every North Shore paddleboarding contest he has entered over the last few years. In preparation for this race, he has been focusing on long-distance practice runs, paddling up to 20 miles per day.

"The goal is to keep a higher speed late in the race," he said. "It seems like everybody kind of slows down right around the three-hour mark (of the race). I want to keep a steady pace all the way through."

• Guy Pere, a North Shore lifeguard and another perennial contender.

He will ride a 16-foot board, the shortest among the open competitors.

"It rides like a Cadillac," he said. "It's smooth and stable and comfortable. I just hope there's some (waves) to help."

• Dibetta, the leader of a strong Australian contingent.

The top Australians will ride new boards that are longer and lighter than the ones they used last year.

"We've given ourselves a better chance already," he said. "Our (practice) times have been better than last year, so we know the boards are faster."

• Kanesa Duncan, the only female attempting to race solo this year.

"I have a personal target time I want to get," said Duncan, 25. "But more than anything else, I want to finish it strong."

Duncan is a graduate student at the University of Hawai'i. Only three females have ever completed the race.

Competitors can also enter as a two-person team, taking turns on the board throughout the course (the partner who is not paddling follows along on an escort boat). Among the team entries:

• Nick and Tom Carroll, brothers from Australia who are more recognized for their accomplishments in the surfing world.

Tom Carroll, 39, is a two-time former world surfing champion; Nick Carroll, 42, is an award-winning surf journalist. Neither has ever entered a paddleboard contest.

"I think it would be more daunting to do it solo," Nick said. "We just want to finish and experience the channel."

• Brian and Marc Rocheleau, brothers from East O'ahu who will turn the race into a family outing.

Brian, 20, convinced his brother to enter the race even though Marc, 25, had no experience on a paddleboard.

"I was more into kayaking," Marc said. "But I've been practicing a lot for about eight weeks now."

He's a fast learner. In a local race two weeks ago, Brian won his division, seconds ahead of Marc.

Their parents will follow along on an escort boat.