Hank McGregor of South Africa won the Epic Moloka‘i World Championships in grueling conditions today.

The 32-mile race is considered the world championship of long-distance ocean racing for solo surfskis. Around 90 paddlers from around the world participated.
McGregor completed the 32-mile course from Kaluako‘i, Moloka‘i, to Koko Marina, O‘ahu, in 3 hours, 54 minutes, 39 seconds.

The paddlers had to endure light winds and a flat ocean across the Kaiwi Channel. The winning time was more than 30 minutes slower than the course record.

"I think it was the toughest race I've ever been in," McGregor said. "We had absolutely no help."

Tim Jacobs of Australia was second in 3:57:20, and two-time defending champion Lewis Laughlin of Tahiti was third in 4:04:21.

Katie Pocock of New Zealand won the women's division with a time of 4:28:32. Naomi Flood of Australia was second in 4:36:38, and Maui's Lauren Bartlett was third in 4:46:34.