The paddleboarding season is scheduled to get under way with the first Quiksilver Mokapu Challenge Paddleboard Race on June 1.

The 9.1-mile course will start at Kapoho Point and finish at He'eia Kea Pier.

Race director Ian Masterson said the course could provide challenging conditions for even the experienced paddlers.

"Novices might want to think twice about entering this race," Masterson said. "Even though it's 9 miles, you could be facing some rough seas, especially when you go around Mokapu Point. That can be a treacherous pass with a lot of wind and current."

Around 100 competitors are expected to enter. There will be divisions for stock paddleboards (12 feet), unlimited paddleboards (longer than 12 feet) and stand-up paddleboards.

Masterson said the race was created this year to give paddleboarders more training events leading to the Quiksilveredition Moloka'i to O'ahu Paddleboard Race in July.

"As paddleboarders, we always wanted to do a race like this," he said. "It's a tough race, but at the same time, it's not that long. It's kind of like a good way to start the season."

The race will help benefit the Kane'ohe Canoe Club.

Entry fee is $35 before May 24, and $40 after. For more information, visit www.kaneohecanoeclub.com.

WORLD'S BEST SURFERS IN TAHITI THIS MONTH

The Billabong Pro Tahiti men's surfing contest is scheduled to start this weekend at Teahupoo, Tahiti.

The world's top 45 surfers are in the field, including Hawai'i surfers Andy Irons, Bruce Irons, Fred Patacchia Jr., Roy Powers and Pancho Sullivan. Last week, fellow Hawai'i surfer Jamie O'Brien qualified for the contest through a trials event.

The contest is the third of 11 stops on the 2008 World Championship Tour.

KAUA'I SURFER WINS JUNIOR CONTEST

Kaua'i's Sebastian Zietz won the Oakley Pro Junior Global Challenge last week at Lower Trestles, Calif.

Zietz dominated the final, receiving a two-wave score of 18.4 (out of 20).

The contest was for surfers age 21 and younger.

As the winner, Zietz earned an invitation to the Oakley Pro Global Challenge men's contest in October.