Molokai Surfski Solo Unofficial Results

  1. Hank McGregor 3:54:32 (unofficial)
  2. Tim Jacobs
  3. Lewis Laughlin
  4. Dave Kissane
  5. Travis Mitchell
  6. Dan McCabe
    7th Dave Tudor Jones
    8th Zsolt Szadovski - 1st HI
    9th Paul Green
    10th Toby Barbour
    11th Steve Kelly
    12th Steve Coulter
    13th Ash Nesbit
    14th Clint Robinson
    15th Chris Ball
    16th Patrick Hemmens

    The women:

  7. Katie Pocock
  8. Naomi Flood
  9. Lauren Bartlett.

Submitted by Rambo on Sun, 05/17/2009 - 1:48pm



what about the OC's?


#1 Sun, 05/17/2009 - 2:19pm


Only 2 in the race and i don't think either made the cut off point time limit and most probably finished in their support boat. I think one male from Japan - Taku Araki and one female from Hong Kong - Kiyomi Makino

R


#2 Sun, 05/17/2009 - 3:04pm


mumbojumbo
The guy did fine-finsihed under 5:30 estimate. The girl took about 6:30 -The guy looked pretty good when we saw him, even near the end.


#3 Sun, 05/17/2009 - 6:23pm


Ok that's good mumbojumbo, they got a warning after the first hour that they were behind time, must have picked up the pace. Good to hear they got to finish they paid their money and so should be.

R


#4 Sun, 05/17/2009 - 6:54pm


Somebody must have really pissed off the paddling God's this year because they never cut any slack for any of the major races. Pa'a Solo, Relay, Surfski....everyone had horrible conditions, just horrible. At least the Maui to Molokai had some bumps, but even that race became a bear the last few miles.

JawsOut.


#5 Mon, 05/18/2009 - 8:49am


Finally, It is great that OC-1's and surfskis have their own separate Molokai race, for that's the way it should be. And a big congratulations to Lauren who showed that you could do both.


#6 Tue, 05/19/2009 - 1:25am


Was the Hawaiian participation in the Ski race much lower than usual? I think its time the "world championships" go somewhere they will be treated with the entry levels it deserves .Its silly to hold it so far away from South Africa , I think Perth should be the venue , it's Accessible to Aussies,Kiwis and Saffas. Congratulations to Hank Macgregor, Katie Pocock and all those who completed another tough day

Lats


#7 Fri, 05/22/2009 - 1:06am


Lat's, true, the "Hawaiian" participation is not the same as when you last competed. However, the "Hawaiian" participation really turned out in organizing, running, and making possible this classic race to happen again. My congratulations goes out to those die hard race veterans for continuing the tradition of putting on this grandaddy of all open ocean surfski races.


#8 Fri, 05/22/2009 - 12:46pm


I agree the Hawaiian organizers have done a great job and should have mentioned that in my original post , you have not been supported by the local paddlers however...Out of interest how many people over there are racing skis these days ? Or has everyone switched to OC1, cheers Lats


#9 Fri, 05/22/2009 - 2:49pm


Aloha, first time posting here so I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Jessica, I'm originally from Alaska, I paddle OC1 in Okinawa, Japan.
Although I wasn't able to race the solo (hopefully next year), I was lucky enough to come to Molokai and return to Oahu during the Epic Solo on Takuji Araki's escort boat. It was unfortunate this year that we were unable to race against other OC1's in the PA'A Kaiwi Solo, but there were schedule conflicts and international travel involved.
I would just like to report what I saw in the channel from Taku's escort. I can't, however, speak for him or anyone else.
There are no doubt hard feelings and politics surrounding the two solo races. Many people were quick to take a second look at the OC1's getting in the water race day. But, from our boat, we could see opinions quickly changing once the race got underway. In Taku's case, other escorts were following and cheering us on, to get a look at the guy whose canoe had just passed their surfski. We were never given a warning about a time limit. He was too fast. Taku finished 62nd in a time of 5:10:09 beating 18 surfskis and the second OC1. Mirroring the PA'A race, I can only guess what time difference the conditions might have lent... +20min? I can't say.... Then guess at the place :)
Rambo you don't need to worry, "Good to hear they got to finish they paid their money and so should be." This was Taku's 25th Kaiwi crossing in the last ten years.
I hope you can check the OC1 photos (the text is in Japanese) from the race at: http://blog.livedoor.jp/uminchumaru/
Perhaps being a relatively new paddler (about 2 1/2 years) and more isolated over here in Okinawa it's difficult for me to understand the politics. Looking back at the last couple months leading up to the two races I keep thinking "One Ocean, One People" from the Hokule'a. The line from above "Finally, It is great that OC-1’s and surfskis have their own separate Molokai race, for that’s the way it should be," although not personal, makes me feel bad. It looks as though this growing division between surfski and OC1 paddlers makes the Kaiwi Channel less about the challenge of preparing ourselves to cross the ocean and simply an exercise in sport. Why are people crossing? If you're crossing for yourself and/ or your crew does it really matter what day or what race? I hope that more people can "paddle through the politics." Of course we want to race and test ourselves, but I just think that there's a deeper culture, history, and meaning underneath that.
I know that there are poor feelings about certain people from a certain surfski company. However, after briefly meeting Hank McGregor I would just like to note what a good impression he left on us and what a good face he was as the only representative of Epic Kayaks this year. Congratulations to McGregor and his win this year. Congratulations to all of the solo finishers of 2009.
Mahalo to the wonderful people of Oahu and Molokai. I hope to see you again (from the canoe) next year.
Jessica


#10 Fri, 05/22/2009 - 10:52pm


Hey Jessica
I was on one of the escorts that was neck and neck with you guys out in the channel. It was me and another lady who was driving the boat escorting a ski. We asked you about Taku and you told us he had crossed 24 times before. Didn't know his name out there so we just yelled "good job Zephyr!" We really thought he did well. He looked strong and steady all the way. Being a one manner myself I really appreciated the job he did. I told him congratulations at the end and he replied "sank you!" with a bow. Then I asked how he learned to paddle so well in Japan and he bowed again and said "sank you!" I guess he doesn't speak much English. He did an impressive job.

Regarding politics of ski vs. oc1, I believe that part of it is logistics more than politics. To try to get 200 escort boats for a single race would be really difficult. Not to mention accommodations etc.

As far as the numbers from Hawaii. Have you ever tried surfskiing? Its a huge learning curve. One manning is so much easier on the learner, which is why so many people do it vs. skiing.Talk to anyone who does both and they'll tell you how much more difficult it is, especially in big surf conditions. After speaking with several of the skiers from Australia, they mentioned that its so easy to find waterways to practice on everywhere in their country- you can find a harbor or a river etc. In Hawaii we are surrounded by ocean, as a result we've become more of a nation of "surfers' than flat water paddlers. Being that its easier to surf on the oc1 more people tend to hop on that type of vessel.

As far as changing the venue, I think the allure of the Kaiwi Channel is what draws people from all over the world. Its what Pipeline is to a surfer. Most competitors want to give it a shot and try to do their personal best at the attempt. I don't think any other location has quite the same allure.

After being involved in the surfski race weekend this year, I have a new respect for the sport.


#11 Sun, 05/24/2009 - 1:42pm


Hey Jessica and laolalake, thank you for your post. I think you are right, 300 support boats would be a big ask and although ski and OC1 share the same ocean, they are worlds apart in culture but each respects and appreciates the other.

No time for politics, there is too much fun to have.

Cheers Rambo


#12 Sun, 05/24/2009 - 2:38pm


Mahalo Laola for explaining because I was confused about this "politics" something or other. I can understand Lat's point of view about location of a World Championship Surfski Race, but not the topic of politics, since this last Molokai surfski race was actually organized and run by veteran outrigger paddlers. Wow!! Imagine, where else in the world can you participate in four (4) inter island races within six (6) weeks of each other?


#13 Sun, 05/24/2009 - 2:51pm


Jessica - Hi, Ive just moved to Okinawa and have my surfski with me. Im looking for people to paddle/train with, if you have any contacts, please could you get in touch:
owenphillips10@hotmail.com
I understand there might even be an OC/surfski race here in December, but cant seem to find much out about it.
Here
s hoping you can help!
Owen


#14 Tue, 09/15/2009 - 6:21pm


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