But come Monday, the Punahou senior will return to the ocean as one of the favorites in the 34th annual Waikiki Roughwater Swim.

The 2.384-mile swim will be Sakamoto's first competition since winning USA Swimming's 5-kilometer open-water swimming championship at Pohic Bay in Lorton, Va., on Aug. 10.

"I really don't know what to expect," said Sakamoto, who has competed in the Waikiki Roughwater Swim since he was 9 years old and finished third the past two years. "It's going to be a little harder because we're coming off the (USA Swimming Long Course Championships), and it's kind of our break from swimming right now. So, I've swam maybe two or three times in the past week and a half, so hopefully I'll be able to get back in shape in time for the race."

Premier event

The Waikiki Roughwater Swim is considered one of the premier ocean swims in the country and is expected to draw between 925 and 975 participants, said Ted Sheppard, the Waikiki Roughwater Swim Committee president.

Sheppard believes Sakamoto — the reigning state high school champion in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle — is peaking at the right time and could break loose on Monday. Among early entries, Sakamoto is the top returning finisher from last year, but defending champion Alex Kostich of Los Angeles is coming again and normally shows up at the last minute, Sheppard said.

"I really think (Sakamoto) has an excellent chance of winning this year," Sheppard said. "His swimming has improved as he's gotten older, bigger and stronger."

The course starts at San Souci Beach between the Natatorium and the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, and finishes on the beach in front of the Hilton Rainbow Tower.

Joe Lileikis, a former Waikiki Roughwater champion and University of Hawai'i All-America swimmer, said Sakamoto possesses the confidence and knowledge of the Waikiki course to win the race.

"Noa has the 5K behind him as a win," said Lileikis, who trains swimmers for the Waikiki Roughwater and also coaches the masters program at the O'ahu Club. "But he also knows Hawai'i's waters better than anybody. The current will play a factor and also understanding the dynamics of the channel."

Keys to course

"You never want to be in the middle of the channel because that's the water coming out," Lileikis said. "Then you're swimming in a treadmill."

Sakamoto said a good strategy would be to "get out and stay out with the lead swimmers from the beginning.

"Once they get too far ahead, it's really hard to catch up," Sakamoto added. "You have to get out fast, but not too fast that you'll die."

The event is drawing a wide range of competitors from around the world.

Competitors range in age from 8 to 77 years old and come from such places as California, Texas, Arizona, Minnesota, Ohio, Maine, Japan and Australia, Sheppard said.

"It's a pretty good cross section of swimmers," Sheppard said. "I think one of the reasons is that we have a good reputation of putting out a professional, quality event with a good price. People always want to come out to Hawai'i."

Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458