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Downwind Rookie (Part 3 of 4) |
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By: Mike Marsoun
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Thursday, 13 March 2008 |
(Mike Marsoun is an author and avid
stand up paddler who participates in the Molokai Challenge between
Molokai and Oahu. Mike's four part series "Downwind Rookie" takes us
into the world of downwind stand up paddling.)
As I hit the beach there was a ton of energy. Like a mini “Ironman” finish, everyone was stoked and in high spirits. I was relieved to see a hoard of stand up paddlers coming in after me. I ended up getting third place in my division; Unlimited, no-rudder. This surprised the hell out of me. I thought, “shoots… I’ll take it, and the money”!
 Rather than sending the boards to Molokai for the next race, Ekolu Kalama, Jack and I were planning to paddle them over . We were going to go solo but were able to get an escort from Ekolu’s parents. This was great because you really do need more water than what you can carry and an escort can help with supply. Jerome and Choppy were awesome out there, great people. They made Jack and I feel at home, their home, in the middle of the Molokai channel.
The first leg of the crossing was a little slow, with the winds still a bit in the lee of Maui. In the middle of the channel things started to pick up. By the time we reached the eastern tip of Molokai, heading to Kaunakakai, it was no less than heaven on earth. That last 12 miles was absolutely unbelievable, I can’t find enough superlatives to accurately describe it. The bumps were so evenly spaced you could set your watch to your glides. I never was able to connect so many bumps, literally gliding up and over, unto the next glide, then again. I was thrust forward so fast at one point I actually fell off the back of my board. Again, laughing out loud, saying, “THIS is the %*#&.”
Downside was trying to keep up with Ekolu, who could have read War and Peace in the amount of time he had waiting for us to catch up. He really rubbed it in when he took his young boy for a ride on the nose of his board, and was still smoking us! I was really humbled, then Jack reminded me, “don’t feel so bad, Ekolu is the second fastest SUB paddler in the WORLD”. Never-the-less, the day was a huge confidence builder, 27 miles solo made the upcoming 32 mile Quicksilver race not so intimidating, especially since I was splitting it with a partner.
 Maseppa and Makena
Fast forward again one week, the day before the Molokai Challenge. I arrived in Molokai that morning with my son Makena and we made our way to the Kanaikai Resort. All day competitors were arriving and everyone was tuning-up equipment, getting ready for the race. We made a lazy day of it and just hung out with the Kona boys and meeting some new people from Maui. That night was the race meeting with the traditional introductions where everyone formally introduces themselves, race division, home town, etc. The catered feast which followed was ono.
I had to introduce myself as competing in Unlimited/ Rudder SOLO because my partner missed his flight, the last flight to Molokai that day. I liked the idea of going solo, seemed like an accomplishment and a class which I probably had a chance of doing well. As it turned out, Dave called on a few connections and made it in a private plane and was at the hotel by 9:30. The guy was determined and I was looking forward to how this would apply on race day.
END PART 3 OF 4
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