Hawaiian Paddler Training - So what exactly is this “Molokai” race you’re doing?

So what exactly is this “Molokai” race you’re doing?

Many of you may have heard the phrase, “I’m doing Molokai”. To which you may have responded with a sincere nod of the head and knowing and respectful “ahhhh” kind of noise. “Doing Molokai” has legendary status, it’s known as one of the toughest and most exciting stretches of water to paddle, but what exactly is this race?

As it turns out, there are actually several Molokai races! All start from the island of Molokai in Hawaii and cross the Kaiwi (also known as Molokai) Channel, following the NE trade winds to the island of O’ahu approximately 50-70km away. Whist there are different formats for crossing the channel, each represent the premier long distance, open ocean race for outrigger canoeing in the world, in effect becoming a self proclaimed World Championship. The races attract an international field of top paddlers and crews contending for the prestigious titles.

There are 5 main Molokai races:

1)      The Kaiwi Channel Solo OC1 World Championship, which is a ~32 mile (~51 km) race starting from the western side of Molokai at Kalua Koi and finishing on the south eastern tip of Oahu at Koko Marina. This race is typically held in April/May each year, and in 2011 was run last weekend. Kai Bartlett was first across the line in 4:15, and Lauren Bartlett was the first female in 4:43.

2)      The Kaiwi Channel OC1 Relay, which is a ~41 mile (66 km) race also starting from Kalua Koi and finishing at Magic Island (just past Waikiki Beach) on Oahu. This is a teams/changes race, with a pair of paddlers taking turns to paddle an OC1. This is the race Charmian and I are entering! We’re hitting the water at 8:30am on Sunday, 1 May (8 sleeps away)!

3)      The Kaiwi Channel Solo Ski World Championship, was previously held in conjunction with the OC1 race, but recently has been moved to a separate weekend in May. Over the last 25 years, the ski race has been dominated by a few paddlers, including Australians Grant Kenny (5 titles) and Dean Gardiner (9 titles, and the course record of 3:21:26 set in 1997). In the Women’s division, Australian Jane Hall has won the titles 3 times.

4)      Molokai Hoe, refers to the 38 mile (61 km) Men’s OC6 changes race from Kawakiu Bay on the south western side of Molokai to Waikiki Beach on O’ahu. The race was first run in 1952 and is held in October

5)      Na Wahine O Ke Kai (Women of the Sea), is the Women’s version of the Molokai Hoe, and begun in 1979. The race is held in the weeks following the Men's race in October

What makes a Molokai Crossing special?
Outrigger Canoeing is an integral part of the Hawaiian culture, and each crossing is significant from a traditional and cultural perspective as well as representing a physical and mental challenge of endurance to take on the unpredictable, varied and often turbulent waters of the Kaiwi Channel.

As far as conditions go, mother nature has put together the perfect downwind setting! Molokai and O'ahu are conveniently positioned so that a crossing of the channel between them captures the north-east trade winds, which for many parts of the year blow a consistent 15-30kts. To top it off, Hawaii is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and so is just a small blip in otherwise unimpeded rolling ocean swell, built up by these aforementioned trade winds over thousands of kms. We all know that when the winds and swells align there is a lot of fun to be had!

Once the Channel is negotiated, however, there is skill in choosing the best way to tackle the coastal currents and tides off O’ahu. Luckily for Charmian and I, the tides are in our favour this year, with an incoming tide anticipated for the duration of the race (low tide at our start time of 8:30am and high tide at 3:30pm). This hopefully takes out one layer of complexity for us!

Written By Shell