Molo Solo Finish 2008
I'm all for changing it to June because then it doesn't conflict with AP tests in the middle of May. My parents aren't stoked on me missing days of school during AP testing for some reason...
Just my opinion,
#1 Wed, 11/07/2007 - 8:58pm
I think changing the date is a bad idea. It would be too long between the Kaua'i Challenge and the Solo. A lot of off-island paddlers come and make a run at the Maui-Molokai, Ka'iwi Relay, Kaua'i Challenge, and Molo Solo. Having them all back-to-back gives out-of-state paddlers a chance to make great use of the trip by allowing them to paddle in several races rather than just one. Combine that with the start of regatta season and I think you would lose a lot of paddlers.
Just my $0.02.
#2 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 8:55am
I would have to agree with moving the date simply to avoid the conflict with Ka Hula Piko. I would hate for the two events to clash negatively, especially with the potential of no TVRs by then??? Why not move it to the next weekend (May 24th?)
#3 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 9:43am
Part of the draw for international paddlers is the chance to race in multiple events with the culimination being the Molokai Solo World Championships.
#6 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 4:35pm
True - but the limitation on having all these races 'back-to-back' is that you don't necessarily get to train in between as your canoe (or the one you have borrowed) is constantly on a barge going between the islands.
Having an extra week would allow some extra time to get on the water and some much more needed 'local water' experience - that is of course unless you are able to borrow 2 canoes when you go to hawaii to race!
#7 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 6:07pm
agreed
but for some of us who have to spend thousands of dollars to get there and race, it's a little easier to justify if multiple events (maybe even using the earlier events as acclimization)
#8 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 6:19pm
That tide set up looks pretty promising. From a spectator's perspective, it was cool to hear all the survival stories from this year's race. I think the longer course makes it more "epic". Just think how awesome that longer course would be w/ trades and guys surfing all the way to the finish line. I thought the longer course was a step in the right direction in terms of marketability and entertainment value etc., but then again, I don't actually have to paddle it.
#9 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 6:19pm
June 1st looks great in regards to the tides. It would accomodate local paddlers in regards to letting the body recooperate after all the long back to back races every weekend. But would be tough on the international paddlers who are trying to participate in every high profiled race.
save la'au point.
#10 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 6:42pm
Last year 91 paddlers finished the race and 43 paddlers dropped out, DNF. It would be interesting to poll the 43 paddlers who dropped out and determine if they would have finished the race if it had been shorter and ended at Hawaii Kai.
#11 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 7:42pm
Hey Sandy,
Maybe if TC thinks the race should finish at Waikiki, then maybe the race should finish at Waikiki. But he didn't say that, did he? Who decides these things, anyway?
#13 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 10:04pm
The concern with the paddlers isn't the distance but the conditions. Everyone competing in the Molokai Solo is, or should, be at their best physical and mental shape. If last years solo ended at Hawaii Kai, competitors would have still dropped out, probably not as many as last year.
I remember seeing escort boats passing me by with either their competitors OC-1's or surfski's while approaching mile 18 on my GPS.
If last years solo had tradewinds, many competitors wouldn't have dropped out.
Carlton Helm
save la'au point.
#14 Thu, 11/08/2007 - 10:29pm
I fly in on the weekends for the big races and then fly back for work on Monday. Having extra time in between races would be great. Would be more likely to do both races.
I think more peolple fly in for these races as apposed to staying in Hawaii for three weeks.
#15 Fri, 11/09/2007 - 7:04am
Fellas,
Having the races back to back does provide incentive for those coming from OZ. As the airfares aren't cheap we can get atleast a couple of the big races in within the one trip. There are always at least 10 or so Aussies over there doing the circuit between the big four races. It would be a shame to see them spread apart and paddlers have to choose between these events. Glad to hear the solo is going back to Hawaii Kai.
Longy
#16 Fri, 11/09/2007 - 10:05am
Good to hear that solo-molo is in the works of getting finished at hawaii kai. I'm sure alot of people would be stoked on that.
As for the date change, June 1st sounds good being that there's a good tide....like sandbuggy said, if the trades are blowing on top of a good tide i'm sure everyone will be happy.
#18 Fri, 11/09/2007 - 1:00pm
Maybe next year the organisers could select a date and stick to it so international paddlers can organise holidays accom, flights instead of changing it after the fact. Not that difficult, there are tide charts that you can access in advance.It also gave us the opportunity to do a few races back to back each weekend I will now have to try and get some money back from flights as I had booked for the original date. My work isnt all that flexible in changing dates. Just a my two cents worth.
#19 Fri, 11/09/2007 - 5:46pm
Thanks Mark.
...and to everyone else who puts on the races and race series'.
#21 Sun, 11/11/2007 - 2:31pm
As one of the Aussie paddlers coming over next year to do the Kaua'i Relay and Molo Solo in May '08, can anyone confirm yet that the dates remain unchanged? I have paid flights to change otherwise.
Mahalo
#23 Mon, 11/12/2007 - 1:25am
As New Zealand paddlers we were plannin' to do Kauai Relay and Molo Solo in May ‘08,
Its good value if we were able to do both, don’t really want to choose.
Please get back with an answer as soon as you can, Flight prices are rising' daily
Chur Bro
#25 Tue, 11/13/2007 - 8:32pm
Lewis is planning on returning to defend his title. Whenever the race date is decided upon and confirmed by the sponsors (sooner rather than later) I will pass the information on to him so that he can make his travel plans.
In the best interests of all the paddlers from out of Hawaii, the sponsors should select a date as soon as possible and then adhere to it so that everyone can make their plans
#26 Tue, 11/13/2007 - 9:09pm
I will be sure to let Lewis know as well - he will be in Hong Kong next week for the Dragon Run (International Surf Ski and Outrigger Canoe race).
He'll be lining up alongside Dean Gardiner, Oscar & Herman Chalupsky, Bevan Manson, Nathan Baggeley, Ken Wallace, Tepa Leopald and about 45 other international and local paddlers.
We have got people coming from Sth Africa, Australia, Tahiti, Nth America, Japan, Singapore and of course Hong Kong!
#28 Wed, 11/14/2007 - 5:11am
Hi Gang,
We had a meeting today to discuss changing the finish for the Solo race back to Hawaii Kai.
Basically it's a done deal with the already long race not needing to be longer if you know what I mean.. Also we felt it does the Boat drivers good by not burning so much gas and time.
We also talked about moving the race to the first Sunday in June ( June 1 or June 8) to de-conflict with the ever growing Hula event that is now taking up most of the lodging during the third weekend in May. I realize that regatta starts at the same time and was curious to get feedback on what you thought on both topics please!!
Aloha,
Mark
Submitted by msandman on