Dave Provan's Molokai Blog

Just returned to the daily grind of training and work and thought you might be interested in my view of the 32nd EPIC Kayaks Molokai World Championships held on the 18th May 2008. I had wanted to paddle the Kai'wi Channel since I started Outrigger Paddling 12 years ago and finally made the decision to go this year. First mistake was not doing this race 5 years ago as I might have been closer to the front by now. I finished in 18th place which was a little outside where I'd hoped to end up but since the first 20+ guys were within 30 min's of the winner the result was quite positive for a first time paddler.

Firstly I'd like to say a big thanks to all the Epic guys, they threw $100k at the race to make it the event that it was and the record numbers, and quality of the athletes were a direct result in the increasing professionalism of the event and the Surfski World Series. I knew nothing about the race and it felt like Oscar was always there to answer any questions anyone had from race strategy, to drink systems, to GPS coordinates to letting Kim and I bunk on their floor the night before the race. I probably got 10-15 mins faster just from listening to Oscar, Herman and Greg in theweek before the race. Thanks guys!

When we flew over to Molokai Island the day before the race we got a really good view of the channel the whole way across. There was a bit of wind, some white caps and the lines of swell were clearly visible. Things were looking up and when we got to the resort for the race start everyone was excited that there would be good wind for the crossing. Race morning came around quickly and pre-race routine was in full swing, although this started with a 6:30am swim and jet-ski ride out to the support boat to unload the ski and paddle it back to the beach.

There was a nice shorebreak pumping that made for some good entertainment from the less experienced paddlers. The wind was blowing and everyone was still optimistic for a fun, fast crossing. We formed a circle on the shore and held hands for the traditional prayer and blessing before getting on the water about 30 min before the start. Adjusted the footstrap, drink system and GPS on the water while being watched by a massive sea turtle floating about a metre from my ski with it's head out of the water. Figure the 130 skis and 130 escort boats wasn't normal for the local wildlife.

Left Kim on the beach to swim out to the escort boat. Lined up for the start which was set for 9am local satellite time, was hard to know exactly where to start on the line because we couldn't even see Oahu. Most of the fast guys started in the middle but I chose the north end next to Herman as my line would take me slightly north anyway. This worked well because I wasn't as fast as those guys and I got to get in my own rhythm, in my own water really early. After about 15 min I could count about 20 guys in front and around me. Spent majority of the time focussed on the water directly in front of the ski picking up every run and wave that I could. However I allowed myself the opportunity a few times to look around at the scenery.

After about 1 hour I looked back and could see about 100 power boats chasing me with Molokai Island about 12-15km in the background. By this stage I could only see about 3-4 guys around me and in front and could now see Koko Head in the distance. From there I hardly saw another person until China Walls 2km from the finish. Was having a bit of a tussle with a couple of guys which was good for keeping the intensity up and by looking at the race GPS tracks the paddlers were spread across about 5 km horizontally as some chose to go straight for Koko Head and the finish and some headed North towards Makapu with the intention of surfing along the coast. I pretty much split the difference heading slightly north of the finish for the first 2 hours and straight in from there.

In hindsight a more direct line in these conditions would have been faster. My GPS said I'd paddled 52km and I'm sure some went as far as 55km by heading in a big arc north. Things were going really and the first 90 min I felt awesome and was surfing really well (for me) and had that adrenaline of doing a race I've wanted to do for so long. At the 1 hr 45 min mark for some reason I fell off the ski, still don't know why, but was surfing a regular run and then was swimming. Got back on fast after untangling the drink system around my neck and the leg rope. Not fast enough to avoid Kim getting a photo though. Took about 10 min to get back into my rhythm and forget about it.

The wind and waves were quite good up to this point and I was getting some nice long rides in the middle of the channel. The day was getting really hot and I'd had my 3 gels and 3 litres of drink by the 2hr 30min mark. Started to really hit the wall and was getting some cramping in my triceps. Race was incredibly hard, much different to long distance kayaking with the stop start nature of chasing runs. Made a bad decision not to get some extra drink from Kim on the support boat knowing I had 15km to go, and thinking I could push on to the finish.Ended up getting slower and slower and probably cost me more than 5 min between 15 and 5 km to go. Finally called for the drink and 5 mins after felt kind of ok again.

The wind started dropping off around 11am and the runs were getting harder and harder to catch and link together, and the fatigue didn't help. By the time we got to the cliffs at Portlock all the paddlers on the different lines across the channel came together and I could see quite a few guys just in front. They were all paddling right up against the wall which is normally the fastest line but they didn't seem to be going as fast as I was out a bit on my approach. I was feeling quite bad and knew if I followed them in close I wouldn't catch them so took my chance with the incoming tide by staying out a bit catching the runs and putting up with the rebounding waves. I'd caught 2 guys in about 1km along the wall and then went wide as we rounded the point for the flat 2km paddle to the finish.

The pre-race paddles here told me that a straight line to the finish was not the fastest, instead you go a bit wide, paddle with the incoming tide in the channel and and catch the swell waves across the shallow reefs. Managed to get a few runs to chase down another 2 guys across the bay before the finish. Was pleased with the strong finish and moved me up 4 places in the last 10 min and from 4th to 2nd in the 20-29 age group.

Good crowd at the finish and received the traditional shell and flower Lei's for completing the crossing. Had no idea where I'd finished but counted about 15 skis on the grass at the end so was hoping to be Top 20. My time was 4:08 in 18th place which was slower than I expected but the winning time was also 19 min behind the race record. I was hoping to paddle around 3:45 if the winner went 3:25 as normal. I was probably on track to finish about 20 min behind until I hit the wall in the last 15km and paddled for 45 min without any drink.

It was really close up the front with the race only being decided in the last few km's. Kim did a great job supporting and photographing on the escort boat, but if there's a good support crew gig then a 4 hour boat ride between a couple of Hawaiian Islands would be up there. I fell like I understand the race a bit now and what's needed before and during to do well so excited already about next years race.

See you all there next year ...

Mahalo
Dave

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