Standup Paddle Magazine V10N3

FAST M2O FLYING V O L 1 0 N ยบ 3

KAI LENNY

S TA N D U P P A D D L E M A G A Z I N E

FA S T F LY I N G K A I L E N N Y M 2 O R E C O R D S H AT T E R E D

A REID INOUYE PUBLICATION

High Sierras

Venturing the

VOL10Nยบ3/U.S. $10.95/CAN $12.95

SCOTT ESTRADA: GET GROUNDED HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE

RECORD SHATTERED

Triple Your Fun

Thrust Surf Foil Complete-Standard

Pacific Boardsports LLC Frankiebees.com

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pbs@naishsails.com

Hover 120 & 150 Crossover

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(509) 493-0043

naishsup.com

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NaishSUP

Featured: Ethan Koopmans, Hover 120 Crossover, Thrust Surf Complete-Standard, Carbon Plus Paddle

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Hover 120 & 150 Crossovers MULTI-SPORT USER-FRIENDLY VERSATILE

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FishBowl Diaries

Featured: Bernd Roediger, Hover 120 Crossover, Thrust Windsurf Complete-Standard, Sprint Sail

9/21/18 10:31 AM

JULY 29 2018 | 32 MILES

CONGRATS TO ALL THE ATHLETES! FOIL Kai Lenny SUP STOCK Siri Schubert | Josh Riccio SUP UNLIMITED Terrene Black | Travis Grant PB STOCK Mao Kamimura | Stewart McLachlan PB UNLIMITED Harriet Brown | Matt Bevilacqua

DESTI N AT I O N Kepuhi Beach

:: WEST MOLO HAWAII::

An awe-inspiring view of the starting point for the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships. The traditional pule, (Hawaiian prayer) opens the start of the race and signifies the last time these paddlers will set foot on the sand until they reach the shores of Oahu. Spiritual, connecting, adrenaline all wrapped into one. Photo: Johann Meya 808photo.me

LOKAI,

STANDUPpaddlemagazine.COM /

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M A ST H E A D VOLUME 10Nº3

PUBLISHER Reid Inouye EDITOR Paul Ensyde MANAGING EDITOR Lucy Lucille DESIGN First in Flight Creative ADVISORS NUTRITION COACH Scott Estrada YOGA INSTRUCTOR Anna Levesque TRAINERS Casi Rynkowski

STAFF WRITERS Jim Freeman, Paul Ensyde STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Jim Freeman, Eric Haka, Paul Ensyde CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erin O’Malley, Paul Ensyde, Kai Lenny CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jianca Lazarus, Sean Murphy, Johann Meya 808photo.me SALES sales@standuppaddlemagazine.com EDITORIAL AND CONTRIBUTION CONTACT info@standuppaddlemagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

$39.95 includes shipping in the United States of America.

Printed quarterly. Subscriptions@standuppaddlemagazine.com

STANDUP PADDLE MAGAZINE LLC A REID INOUYE PUBLICATION P.O. Box 23083, Honolulu, HI 96823 contact info@standuppaddlemagazine.com printed in Hong Kong Copyright 2018

S TA N D U P PA D D L E M A G A Z I N E . C O M

facebook.com/standuppaddlemagazine instagram.com/standuppaddlemagazine twitter.com/supmagazine pinterest.com/spmagazine ISSN 2372-2274

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Featured: Annie Reickert, Hover Surf Comet PU, Thrust Surf Foil Complete-Abracadabra

9/24/18 12:11 PM

A CROSSING OF P UBLIS H ER’ S N O TE

A LIFETIME

Waiting off the shore, while everything remains calm the day before the start of the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships — known as the world’s most challenging paddle race. Tomorrow morning the beach will be chaotic with crews scrambling to load boats with supplies, gears and backup equipment for another crossing through the clouds in the channel.

Photo: Johann Meya/808photo.me

For many a new M2O paddler, looking across the Ka’iwi Channel brings meaning

to why some call this crossing, the “Channel of Bones.” From the bluff at the Kalua Koi Villas, your eye can view the boats anchored along the shoreline, following the gaze out at the deep blue ocean, you see the clouds and ask yourself two things — the first, “Where’s Oahu? And the second, “Why am I doing this?”

But when all is said and done, and you cross the finish line, you say to yourself, “I’ve done it, I’ve made my first crossing.” No one can take that feeling away from you. It is a feeling that will carry through your soul for a lifetime.

Reid Inouye Publisher, Standup Paddle Magazine

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C O NT E NTS V O L U M E

1 0 N º 3

: : 2018: :

10 OPENING SHOT

14 PUBLISHER’S NOTE

18 HOW TO Scott Estrada: Get Grounded

Casi Rynkowski: Core Development

Anna Levesque: Strong Muscles for Paddling

24 PRODUCT REVIEW

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Holiday Guide

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38 ERIN O’MALLEY:

Venturing the Eastern Sierras

56 CHANNEL RIDERS

M2O Paddleboard Championships 2018,

A Pictorial Perspective

ON THIS PAGE: Alone in the High Sierras, in such a desolate location — the feeling of connection with the cold, barren old Earth. Erin O’Malley. Photo: Sean Murphy

ON THE COVER: Kai Lenny flying across the Ka’iwi Channel setting the World Record in the Foil Division, 2:52:58. Photo: Jianca Lazarus

STANDUPpaddlemagazine.COM /

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H O W TO H EA LT H w i t h Scott Estrada

GET GROUNDED:: The term “grounded” is synonymous with someone or something solid, rooted, calm, balanced and dependable. We may not think of it in terms of health but if we are open to it, “grounding to the earth” is probably the best medicine ever for all that ails us and to keep us in check so modern stresses don’t take us down.

WHEN WE CONTACT THE SOIL, WATER, SAND, ROCK OR GRASS WITH OUR BARE SKIN WE ARE INSTANTLY FLOODED WITH THESE NEGATIVELYCHARGED IONS

A MAN NAMED CLINT OBER, a pioneer of the cable business in its early days, became aware that most people walk around insulated from the natural energies the Earth has to give us for very long periods of time. Ober believed we don’t make contact with Earth elements with bare skin to receive its energetic frequency. So after his own health crisis he set in motion a mission to raise awareness to how this age-old natural benefit works to guard our health. He began making grounding pad products for people to reap the benefits of walking barefoot on the Earth from an indoor space while they work and sleep. Read all the details here: grounded.com/what-is-earthing In a nutshell, the Earth in all its glory is the biggest unlimited supplier of negative ions. When we contact the soil, water, sand, rock or grass with our bare skin we are instantly flooded with these negatively-charged ions that balance our system and function at the same time, absorbing the positively-charged ions we hold as a byproduct of stress, chemicals, poor food, tainted water, poor air quality, radiation, EMF rays and anything that would upset our internal balance and cause stress - including negative thoughts!

We as people who love the water and spending time in it and on it to play and move are reaping a huge benefit over those that don’t by simply making contact with the conductive element of lakes, rivers and oceans. Bringing the science and awareness of the Earthing or Grounding technology into focus will help us make a point to touch more of the Earth’s elements more often, even in colder climates with the use of grounding sheets for beds while we sleep, pads for workstations and grounding patches for quick mobile solutions while traveling.

We can help so many people that suffer from a lack of health and wellbeing just by showing them the value of making consistent contact with the Earth and re-establishing the connection they have lost. I encourage everyone to watch the movie made about how this story came to be and the incredible results that have been documented: youtube.com/embed/cRW0XO2xWn4?rel=0 Think about the performance aspects of grounding.

Highly anti-inflammatory effects for faster recovery, muscle repair, stamina, immune boosting, circulation and many more! Combine grounding while you do focused breath work and oxygenation of the cells and you now have an incredible combo to keep your system in a peak state! In this time of ever-changing technology that dominates our lives, wisdom says we must unplug to “reconnect” to what is true and lasting. The Earth is the fi rst medicine and always has our back. Nurture the connection and go deep! Paddle On Friends!

For info on this or other health/nutrition topics email Scott Estrada scott@risesup.com / Instagram: @scott_estrada

18 /SPMagazine

H O W TO TRAINING with Casi Rynkowski

CORE DEVELOPMENT::

PLANK PASS THROUGH

LIFE RARELY STANDS STILL and neither should your exercises. Unless you’re trying to avoid red laser beams in the next Mission Impossible movie, get your planks moving! The traditional plank is a full-body isometric contraction, great for developing stability in your core, shoulders, quads and glutes. Ultimately, the plank was designed to get your body ready for movement. Adding leg, torso or arm movement will not only increase the plank difficulty but build more strength, helping you add power to your paddling. Every stroke you take out on the water uses these muscles in unison.

If you can hold your plank for 30 seconds, then you are ready for this exercise progression.

Get down onto your forearms into a plank position with a dumbbell between your arms and place your feet shoulder-width apart. Your feet become an important contact point to help you balance while moving through the pass-through motion.

3

Move the weight back to the starting position.

2

Pick up the dumbbell and move the weight to your side until your arm is fully extended. Keep your hips square with the ground. This will help keep your abs engaged and your base solid.

4

Repeat with the opposite arm.

Complete as many reps as you can until failure.

Since 2007, Casi Rynkowski has been living her dream as a personal trainer, training athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those who want to live a healthier lifestyle. Her passion for outdoor fitness exploded when she launched her business, exposing clients to the idea of fitness outside the gym box. Casi is an ACA level 2 stand up paddle instructor and an AFAA certified personal trainer. She is sponsored by BIC Sport - BIC SUP/SIC, Werner Paddles, MTI Adventurewear, NRS, Unsinkable Polarized and Virus Sports Performance. She is also the BIC Sport Ambassador Team Manager for BIC SUP and SIC. www.casiperformancetraining.com

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PHOTO: RACHEL MCCARTY

1

H O W TO Y OGA w it h An n a L e v e sq u e

STRONG MUSCLES FOR PADDLE PERFORMANCE:: SHOULDER HEALTH IS KEY FOR PADDLING PERFORMANCE and comfort whether you’re a beginner or a pro. Paddlers tend toward chronically contracted pectoral muscles that pull the shoulders forward, resulting in upper back muscles that tend to be chronically lengthened.

This imbalance in shoulder alignment can lead to a greater risk of shoulder discomfort and injury. Here are some of the key poses that I practice to help me strengthen my shoulders and reduce the risk of injury.

SHOULDER BLADE PUSHUPS

This pose moves the shoulders through their full range of motion and strengthens the upper back.

Come to forearm or full plank position on your elbows.

Squeeze your shoulder blades together on your back.

Next, press your forearms into the floor and stretch your shoulder blades apart pressing your upper back toward the ceiling. Repeat these motions for 10 reps.

Isolate the movement in your shoulder blades without bringing movement into your lower body

22 /SPMagazine

SPIDER COBRA

This is one of my favorite poses for strengthening the upper back and gently stretching the pectorals. Lie on your stomach with your hands off your mat, up on your fingertips, elbows bent toward the ceiling and forehead on the floor. Press your fingertips into the floor to squeeze your shoulder blades back on your back lifting the fronts of your shoulders away from the floor. Breathe easily and deeply through your nose.

Next, press your fingertips into the floor to draw your chest slightly forward and slightly up to get a little lift, but don’t lose the squeeze and strength in your upper back. Hold for 5 breaths.

DOLPHIN POSE

Dolphin pose is great for strengthening the upper back, opening the shoulders and strengthening the core. It also stretches the hamstrings and is a good prep for inversions. Start on your hands and forearms with your hands clasped. Curl your toes under and press your hips up toward the sky. You may have to walk your feet toward your hands a few steps. Press the floor away with your forearms, draw your shoulder blades toward one another and down your back.

Release the head toward the floor. Hold for 5 deep and easy breaths.

Anna is the author of Yoga for Paddling, now available online in reputable outfitters. She is an ACA SUP Instructor Trainer, and RYT 500 With Yoga Alliance and founder of Mind Body Paddle. Anna has been paddling and practicing yoga for over 20 years. For more information visit www.mindbodypaddle.com

DYNATRAP DYNATRAP.COM R ETAI L: $129.00

DT600 LED ATRAKTA™ SERIES INSECT TRAP STERLING Summer maybe over but bug season never is. Check out the DynaTrap. We were impressed with its sturdy stainlesssteel construction. To the beach we went with our DynaTrap. Flies and mosquitos are always an issue with picnics and to our happiness they were not an issue. We even tested indoors and found that it did a great job of attracting those pesky gnats and moths when you’re leaving your windows open to enjoy that fall evening air.

This is how it works: the DynaTrap utilizes an eco-friendly LED bulb that never needs to be replaced and doesn’t contain mercury. The UV-LED light produces warm, bright light that attracts insects to the unit. It also produces carbon dioxide, which is irresistible to mosquitoes. Once attracted to the unit, the powerful fan draws the insects and mosquitoes into the retaining cage where they dehydrate and die typically within 24 hours. It can protect up to ¼ acre and has durable, all-weather construction, pesticide and odor free. It’s crazy quiet and no zapping or buzzing. It attracts, traps, and kills flying insects including mosquitoes, biting flies, Asian beetles, wasps, hornets, yellow jackets, moths, stink bugs and more. Our model included the trap, hanging hook, cleaning brush and 2 Atrakta™ Mosquito Attractant pods.

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YOGA FOR SURFING FALCON.COM R ETAI L: $24.95

Yoga for Surfing guides you through over 100 yoga and meditation practices that effectively teach the reader how to access the flow state of consciousness for greater health, happiness, creativity, success, and life fulfillment. Fully illustrated with photos and clear, concise instructions that demonstrate how to do yoga in a variety of settings—on the beach, on the board, while floating on water, with or without props—there is something here for everyone to benefit from, whether they are advanced surfers or beginners. Notable contributors include: Shiva Rea, Donica Shouse, Jeremie Vaine, Peggy Hall, Zane Kekoa Schweitzer, Noelani Love, Eoin Finn, Kendyl Beschen, Jessi Moon. This book is well informed with helpful advice on surfing techniques, performance focus, and relaxation, as well

as inspiring short stories about surfers who have healed themselves via yoga, this is the ultimate guide to mind/body wellness in and out of the water and can easily translate to any sport you do.

Dashama is a yoga, health and happiness expert with books, DVDs and online training programs distributed worldwide. She is the founder of Pranashama Yoga Institute, leading yoga teacher trainings and retreats globally. An innovator in the field of yoga, as a result of her love of the ocean through surfing and paddle boarding, she created the fusion water sport known globally know as SUP Yoga, Paddle Board Yoga. She has been featured worldwide on magazine covers, newspaper articles, TV news and online media as an expert, athlete, teacher and innovator.

HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE / 25

PHOOZY PHOOZY.COM RETAIL: $49.99 Rocket science for the outdoors. Phoozy XP3 is like a beer koozie but for your phone — only better! Phoozy is a high-tech sleeve for smartphones made out of spacesuitinspired materials that is designed to keep your phone from overheating on hot days or freezing up on cold days.

It also keeps your phone from sinking in water.

Be sure to have it in a waterproof case however, the Phoozy only helps it NOT to sink. The Phoozy is also designed with Military Grade Drop Protection. It comes in silver, gold and black, as well as Realtree camo and fishing patterns. You will find the Phoozy case is easy to open thanks to a set of pull-tabs on top. With a couple of extra features, including a stash pocket in the interior and a “multipoint attachment system” that allows you to clip the case to your belt or add a carabiner, lanyard or the Phoozy Tether System you will find the Phoozy one outdoor gear product you will want with you on your next adventure.

HITCASE

HITCASE.COM R ETAI L: $99.99 HITCASE PRO AND ACCESSORIES Keep it safe with the HITCASE PRO and never worry about your phone again.

HITCASE waterproof aluminum case is shockproof design offers extreme protection and is triple patented. It has a low profile anodized aluminium frame and has an IP68 waterproof rating up to 33ft/10m.

Drop-proof to 16ft/5m - MIL SPEC Shock rated. Take stunning photos/videos with 3x TrueLUX® Lenses: Wide, Macro and Superwide. Mount it anywhere with their Railslide mount system. Compatible with all 8 HITCASE mounts and GoPro® mounts.

Scratch resistant screen. Get your phone in

TRULUX LENS BUNDLE Turn your iPhone into a better camera with the redesigned TrueLUX® Lens Series from Hitcase. The TrueLUX Lens Kit includes: the Macro, Wide and SuperWide, allowing you to capture the perfect shot every time. Easily swap between our waterproof, compact iPhone lenses, offering best in class optics and edge-to-edge clarity.

26 / HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE

TENBA

TENBA.COM

R ETAI L: $49.95

BYOB COOLER INSERT Capacity: Up to six bottles (or twelve cans) of a delicious beverage of your choice.

Convert the Tenba Messenger Bag into a beverage carrier with this waterproof cooler insert. It even includes a stainless-steel Tenba bottle opener with a carabiner attachment.

Heat-sealed seams on waterproof insulated interior fabric ensure your drinks stay cool and your bag stays dry. All you have to add is ice. If you’re looking for a minimalist graband-go cooler, the Tenba BYOB Cooler Insert is a solid choice.

VAYA

VAYALIFE.COM R ETAI L: $35.00

28 / HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE

DRYNK Thirsty for innovation? The Drynk Gulper and Sipper Set is designed to you’re your flexible lifestyle.

With a magnetic hygienic, covered spout area this cup set has VacuTherm insulation that keeps liquids up to 12 hours hot and 18 hours cold. The stainless steel slim body easily fits in your bag/car holder and has an anti-slip coaster base.

An innovative lid ensures that you will never hit your nose while taking a sip and they’re convenient two cups allow your favorite drinks meant to be guzzled. Cheers to their wide-mouth Gulper lid! Our favorite thing Vaya who designs Drynk is that while design products that are easy on your wallet they’re also making products made to be kinder to the planet.

They handpick materials that are mindful of our health and the environment, like stainless steel and BPA-free plastic. So with every meal and every sip, they help you to say no to throwaway plastics, and doing your bit for the planet.

Healthy Suncare

people love to wear.

Located in Sunny & Cool San Diego, CA +17609402125 hello@coolasuncare.com www.coolasuncare.com

TENTH STREET HATS TENTHSTREETHATS.COM R ETAI L: $130

Rheos sunglasses are the only complete line of sunglasses fully dedicated to the water community taking care at every stage to focus on the features that matter most to those who spend time on the water. Rheos frames are made of the highly durable and ultra lightweight TPX® material. Due to its unique manufacturing process, these frames weigh approximately 30% less than the same component molded in polycarbonate while maintaining a hyper-durable structure to ensure its comfort for long-term wear and floating capability. You will also find that their polarized lenses include a dual-sided anti-fog coating while including a specialty Hydrophobic coating which acts like RainX for a windshield, helping water to bead off the lens without settling in and covering your view. Rheos lenses are antiscratch armored and the final oleophobic coating helps to protect each side from wear and tear of salt water and oils from fingers and usage. You can’t get a better of water glasses for the price! Microfiber cloth included with each purchase.

RHEOS

RHEOSGEAR.COM R ETAI L: $50.00

30 / HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE

GLEN PLAID PREMIUM SIXPENCE IVY CAP Tenth Street Hats — making hats the old way but sold the new way. You can find any classic hat at Tenth Street Hats to make your head happy! Check out the Glen Plaid Premium Sixpence Ivy Cap

by Stetson if you want a unique style that maintains a classic feel.

Made from the same types of materials — wool, cotton, or leather — the body their ivy hats often meets and is connected to a hard brim. This brim helps provide shelter from the sun or other elements and helps keep the structure of the hat streamlined and tapered toward the wearer’s face. Ivy caps also have the appearance of a singular piece of fabric and are less full than newsboy flat caps. Many are lined with something like silk or satin to help insulate the wearer during colder weather.

Regardless of what kind of hat your looking for, Tenth Street Hats are there to define your style!

www.mahiku.com

KAMMOK HAMMOCKS KAMMOK.COM

WALLABY RETAIL: $65.00 Pack it into the backcountry or put it in your pocket or take it to the beach. The lightest Kammok hammock yet, the portable, packable Wallaby is ready for whatever shape your on-the-go adventure or low-key lounging takes.

PYTHON STRAPS (ORIGINAL HAMMOCK SUSPENSION) R ETAI L: $19.00 Light, long, and strong, Python Straps are built for hammock camping. Each strap is 10 feet long with 18 attachment points so you can set up camp nearly anywhere.

• 4 0 - d e n i e r

diamond ripstop nylon Gravitas fabric with high-tensile strength thread and reinforced stress points resists ripping and holds up to 400 lbs.

• Each purchase supports the Kammok Give Adventure initiative to donate 1% of their revenue to support youth with mentorship, leadership training and outdoor education

• Kammok

is a member of 1% For The Planet, an organization building, supporting and activating an alliance of businesses that are committed to creating a healthy planet • Kammok offers a lifetime warranty on the Wallaby • 13 kN carabiners • 6 gear loop points

RUGGABLE RUGGABLE.COM

R ETAI L STARTI NG AT $139.00

BEFORE

WITH LATEX-FREE NONSLIP RUG PAD

RUNNER • MOROCCAN COLLECTION We styled our SPMag van like home with Ruggable’s Moroccan modernity by adding the Soraya Trellis Ash Grey rug. This contemporary take on the classic arabesque-inspired trellis motif is refreshing, yet familiar and is highlighted in mascarpone white over a field of ash grey. All rug sets are made to order. Our favorite aspect of this runner or anyone of their other sets includes a latex-free nonslip rug pad that securely attaches to the cover using their Cling Effect Technology. If you’re in a regular house its perfectly safe for hardwood floors. Ruggable removable covers are stain-resistant, waterproof, and machine washable.

Perfect for #vanlife! All sizes, including the large 8’x10’, fit in a standard home washer/dryer with agitator.

Ditch the gels, chews and pills and go all day with just Tailwind. All you need, all day. Really.

That’s a pretty tall claim. It’s a hard to wrap your head around it. But the claims run true.

Caffeinated Tailwind meets all your calorie, hydration, and electrolyte needs just like you’d expect, plus it adds 35mg of caffeine per 100 calories. Caffeine is proven to significantly enhance high-intensity and endurance performance. *Raspberry Buzz, Green Tea Buzz, and Tropical Buzz available in 50 and 30 serving bags, as well as 200-calorie stick packs. They also have their standard version if prefer un-caffeinated.

Tailwind Recovery is also makes the perfect accompaniment for after any race or training session and is the first sport recovery drink based on a patent-pending perfectly complete protein. They start with organic rice protein, and supplement it with amino acids to make that protein complete. Then they add carbohydrates, some healthy fats from coconut milk, and just the right amount of electrolytes. Nothing repairs your muscles more efficiently, restores your energy faster, and makes you feel better sooner. And athletes love the great tasting healthy vegan ingredients.

TAILWIND

TAILWINDNUTRITION.COM R ETAI L STARTI NG AT $17.50

WACACO WACACO.COM

NANOPRESSO & CASE R ETAI L: $79.90 Packed with new features and capabilities, which will drastically improve the way you prepare your favorite coffee, Nanopresso is one of the best and most versatile espresso machines. A truly unique addition to your coffee toolkit! Built around a newly patented pumping system, the Nanopresso is capable of reaching, with the help of your hands, a maximum of 18 bars (261 PSI) of pressure for unparalleled coffee extractions qualities. The Nanopresso works best with finely ground coffee that is tamped hard. It is delightfully easy to operate and simple to use. The Nanopresso requires 15% less force to pump compared to previous models. With Nanopresso, the power is in the machine, not in your hands. After each shot, Nanopresso maintenance takes only few seconds. When necessary, every components of the portafilter are easily separated for deep cleaning.

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NANOPRESSO BARISTA KIT R ETAI L: $29.90 The Barista Kit is a full set of accessories packed in a small container. It expands the Nanopresso capabilities by giving you the possibility to prepare double espresso (16 grams of ground coffee) up to 120ml.

Thanks to its high pressure extraction of 18 bar, Nanopresso takes full advantage of the larger filter basket and surpasses the extraction quality of most home espresso machine. Coffee lovers will be pleased to enjoy unbelievably rich espresso. The double espresso basket is a unique feature that cannot be found in any other portable espresso machine.

OLUKAI OLUKAI.COM

MIKI LI (MEE-KEE LEE) TRANSLATION: ACTIVE, QUICK LACE R ETAI L: $130.00 The Miki Li is a functional ath-lux shoe made of premium, breathable materials that you can wear comfortably all day. With a plush, sock-like fit that you can wear with bare feet, the Miki Li blends sporty with modern luxury. The Olukai patented Drop-In Heel® design offers both a shoe and slide functionality, embossed and welded logos and an instep pull loop for easy on/off function.

Each shoe comes with an extra tonal lace.

A soft textile footbed cover has been added for maximum breathability and comfort and is removable and washable. A soft and durable compression molded EVA midsole with a ‘Wet Grip Rubber’ outsole. Siping has been added for maximum traction on wet surfaces. A portion of all proceeds directly supports the Ama OluKai Foundation, honoring those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and Aloha spirit of Hawai‘i. Every pair gives back.

PUMEHANA HULU WP (POO-MEH-HAH-NAH HOO-LOO) TRANSLATION: WARM, FLEECE R ETAI L: $140.00 Be ready for unpredictable island weather with the Pumehana Hulu WP, a waterproof boot that gets you through the day with added protection. A portion of all proceeds directly supports the Ama OluKai Foundation, honoring those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and Aloha spirit of Hawai‘i. Every pair gives back.

NALUKAI BOOT (NAH-LOO-KAH-EE) TRANSLATION: WEATHERED BY THE STORMS OF LIFE R ETAI L: $140.00 Olukai believes magic happens when you blend two mediums. Take their Nalukai Boot, for example. Rugged yet refined, the premium tough-as-nails leather effortlessly takes on a modern silhouette, yielding a comfortable boot that looks equally at home trudging down a secluded North Shore trail as it does on a pau hana cocktail with friends in the city — either way you will definitely be prepared for this winter season and look good. A portion of all proceeds directly supports the Ama OluKai Foundation, honoring those who preserve and celebrate the cultural heritage and Aloha spirit of Hawai‘i. Every pair gives back.

HOLIDAY PRODUCT GUIDE / 35

SAND-FREE MAT CGEAR-SANDFREE.COM R ETAI L STARTI NG AT $47.99 Sand-Free Mat provides a smooth top surface. In addition to its unique benefits on the beach, the Quicksand Mat has many alternative purposes. Because it is made from resilient materials it is easily cleaned, therefore it is an all-round outdoor Mat to place in the back of the car to take to soccer games, picnics, anywhere! Spillage from drinks, wet grass and dirt are not an inconvenience as these pass straight through creating a dry surface almost instantly. No machine washing - simply wash with a hose.

Designed utilizing multi weave technology, the

CGear Sand-Free’s “Quicksand Mat” is designed for the beach and other outdoor activities. Sand falls straight through the Quicksand Mat and doesn’t come back up. The patented multi weave layers trap the sand underneath the mat ensuring a sand free day at the beach. The Quicksand Mat uses a soft meshing and comes in a range of many colors including Turquoise, Lime and Blue Plaid.

Perfectly sized for the beach at 6’ 6” x 6’ 6” (2 meters x 2 meters). Replace those ground sheets or canvas for this multi-purpose mat.

VENTOLATION VENTOLATION.COM R ETAI L: $34.99 Ventolation shoes looks like any other slipper shoe out there but if you look closer you will see the soles have holes! Ventolation has designed a sand-free rotary ventilated shoe enabling sand, water and air to pass through and not build up under the feet.

Designed to keep your feet cool, clean and dry.

The soles are unbelievable soft and comfortable.

Made for men, women and children and ensuring that your ride home from the beach is sand free!

• • • • • • •

Patented design that allows sand, water, and grit to disappear through the footbed and expel through the outsole. Delivering an exceptionally comfortable walking experience Perforated VO-FLEX (EVA / Rubber compound) insoles ensure supreme comfort, shock absorption, resulting in a reduction of foot fatigue The spacing of the columns below the footbed also give the feeling of ‘walking on air’ The ‘clip and groove’ footbed allows for easy removal and cleaning while ensuring it remains firmly in place when walking or running Quick dry material – no squelching after being in the water!

Our VO-FLEX material aids grip and slip resistance All Ventolation footwear has passed accredited slip resistance testing

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Discovery is the basic element for any adventure — scouting fishing holes with our local fly fishing guide, Josh.

I am going to do my best to draw a parallel between my early years in the Eastern Sierras and my growing love of destination paddling.

I lived the quintessential ski resort childhood. Skiing from 3-years old, fast forward to landing on the U.S. Snowboard Team in my mid-teens. The ability to travel the world at such a young age definitely had a significant impact on me. Not only did it fuel my desire to see and experience as much as I could but it also ripened my ability to be self-sufficient and confident.

I attribute my ease in traveling and adventuring solo to those years on the U.S. Team.

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Fly fishing is a timeless and elegant way to pass the time and settle your mind. Josh showing us the cadence and rhythm to the art of fly fishing.

Being on the team was a tremendous gift, but there is another more impactful time frame that comes to mind. When I was in elementary school, I passed a local sports climbing crag within our town limits. I distinctly remember being in awe of the climbers perched perilously on the steep face, tethered by only a single line of rope. At the time I imagined that learning to climb would be an impossible feat. During my years on the U.S. Team, I could stay and “dry-land” train in my hometown. I was the manager of a local coffee shop where the local rock climbers would pass their time drinking coffee, nose deep in climbing literature when they weren’t out trekking into the mountains.

I befriended a younger “dirt bag” climber that had spent the majority of his days scaling the walls of Yosemite Valley. When we met I had conquered only a hand few of climbs, most of them being comfortable, single pitch climbs.

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“...what does climbing have to do with paddling?

Everything. Yes, paddleboarding is now a giant portion of my heart and soul but so is surfing, backpacking, trail running, camping, fishing...�

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“During the past few years, I have realized that my ultimate goal and desire in paddling is to get myself and others out into less charted areas.�

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Making the barren haul down to the edge of Grant Lake.

Early morning purple outside of Bridgeport.

One afternoon my new climbing friend called me to ask if I wanted to travel into Yosemite Valley to climb one of the classic multi-pitch climbs, Royal Arches. At the time I didn’t have my own gear, so my friend borrowed shoes and a harness for me. Mind you, my borrowed shoes were about two sizes too big, which is something you definitely don’t want in climbing.

We drove into the Valley at sunset and fell asleep in the tall grass of El Cap Meadows, excited for the next day’s adventure. At sunrise, we gathered our gear and started the first pitch of our climb. As we entered midday we were well “off the deck,” and I had a steady flow of pure exhilaration sprinkled with a healthy dose a fear. To be so far above the Valley

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floor dancing with the birds — windfueled my passion for climbing for many years to come.

But what does climbing have to do with paddling? Everything. Yes, paddleboarding is now a giant portion of my heart and soul but so is surfing, backpacking, trail running, camping, fishing, bodysurfing, bonfires as the sun sets into the sea — the list goes on for miles. The point is to get out there, and until you take that first step into the unknown, you’ll never know.

During my years on the U.S. Team, I was lucky to spend a few summers rehabbing injuries in Chula Vista, California. Weekdays were all business but on the weekend’s athletes were free to do as they wish. One of

A camp with no showers helps you get creative

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the U.S. Freeski Team members was an avid longboarder, and from that summer on, my love of surfing was in full bloom. Surfing glassy, crimson, a-frame waves at San Onofre is where my company name, Sunset Stand Up Paddle comes from.

Once my competition days came to an end with the U.S. Team, I eventually moved to Laguna Beach, California. I found employment as a coffee shop manager and once again built a friendship with a longtime waterman who spent most of his years in Kauai and Santa Cruz. He definitely had the Hawaiian view of ocean sports. Ride/surf everything and DON’T be a kook — those were the only rules. One day, Mike asked me if I had

An afternoon exploration of Hot Creek and the Owens River.

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ever been paddleboarding and I hadn’t, so he invited me to paddle out at Victoria Beach. Mike only had one stand-up paddleboard but he had two paddles and a very old tandem surfboard from Infinity. Learning to SUP on a tandem surfboard wasn’t the easiest feat, but I was hooked!

During the past few years, I have realized that my ultimate goal and desire in paddling is to get myself and others out into less charted areas.

Mind you, many of these places have been paddled by other craft/vessels, but for stand-up paddling, these areas are still obscure. I’ll never forget paddling in late winter along the coastal cliffs of Piano di Sorrento, Italy.

Massive cliffs hundreds of feet tall, the vast space of the Mediterranean

It’s an acquired skill carefully navigating the reeds at of Silver Lake.

A bird’s eye view of the Owen River as it snakes between the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada and the western faces of the Inyo and White Mountains.

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and me. I’m pretty sure that a couple of Italian fishing boats I happened upon thought I was a crazy woman. But that’s the thing — often we think, something is crazy and unattainable only because we haven’t yet stepped into the conversation of whatever the challenge is. And yes, nothing happens overnight but once you crack that door open and take action, your wildest outdoors adventure will be realized and lying at your feet before you know it.

There are numerous destination trips within easy reach of Southern California. One of my all-time favorite trips was during a massive precipitation year to Catalina Island. I had the good fortune of growing a friendship with the photographer for BOTE Paddleboards during the first year of Pacific Paddle Games. We really only connected briefly

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that weekend but he knew how impassioned I was to go explore the world via stand-up paddle.

It’s really that simple. It makes me beyond stoked when others are so willing to jump into a new adventure with me. This year I had the honor of taking Sean to one of my most favorite locations on the planet, which also happens to be my home of the Eastern Sierras. As we all know, there’s nothing more fulfilling than showing off your home area to someone that’s never been. The Sierras don’t have to try hard to impress. Snow-capped peaks, raging waterfalls that pour into crystal clear alpine lakes, it’s hard not to be in a constant state of awe. As I planned this trip, I had very defined locations on my hit list. The Sierras, being as they are, had other plans than a glassy, warm, sunny paddle week-

A late afternoon paddle on Mono Lake before a storm.

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end. But when things go the opposite direction, you planned for, that’s when the adventure begins.

We were able to sneak into a window of fly fishing with one of my guide friends to the fingers of Silver Lake. Some of the paddling was low tide, but it was completely worth the effort of being snagged up in a bunch of reeds and grass.

Scaling the hillside to get into the Owen’s River was also a part of the weekend I’ll never forget. It goes like this, “Erin, do you think you can get down to that area of the river from here?” My reply, “I think so?” And the adventure continues. I definitely had to call on my mountain go skills for that approach!

It’s tough to pick out a highlight from a weekend like this in the mountains. Anyone who knows me knows that I live for soaking in the solitude of the Sierra hot springs. At sunset, the time spent in those healing waters is even more magical. The alpenglow and soothing warm water truly never gets old. But this isn’t a hot spring guide, so the winner of most epic paddling goes to Mono Lake.

Mono Lake is an incredible salt lake that was formed about 760,000. The salt levels are insanely high so fair warning — if you paddle the lake EVERYTHING will be covered in a thick layer of dried saline. Mono also has significance within the Eastern Sierra indigenous people and is a critical area for our West Coast eco-systems. From elementary field trips to learn about the Tufa Towers (Tufa is a variety of limestone formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. Geothermal heated hot springs sometimes produce similar (but less porous) carbonate deposits known as travertine. Tufa is sometimes referred to as (meteogene) travertine,) to watching how quickly her waters can change from a wholly reflective and

“The Sierras don’t have to try hard to impress. Snow-capped peaks,

raging waterfalls that pour into crystal

clear alpine lakes, it’s hard not to be in a constant state of awe.”

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A late night soak outside of Bridgeport.

glassy to gnarly wind swell within the blink of an eye. Mono Lake has always been a powerful and mysterious body of water to me.

Mono Lake has even claimed lives. I consistently paddle here with high regard and respect of the rapidly changing mountain weather and Mother Nature.

Weekends like this and guiding others to stoke their passion for the wilderness and paddling is what I live for. I also live for my two children, Owen and Ellery. I’d be lying if I said being a full-time single mother while running a growing adventure business is easy. I am in constant appreciation that I am able to continue my outdoor adventures beyond birth giving and I realize many other women do not have the resources or ability to do the same. Creating support for women, at large, to get outdoors only grows in me as time rolls on.

I am crazy for camping alone with and without my children, but it hasn’t ever stopped me. The moments of adventure and adversity are, of course, the very things that fortify and fuel us — that fire us to go back out again and again. The overarching theme is that everyone has aspirations, dreams that seem wild and unattainable but we absolutely will get there if we are willing to take those first steps in. I am a tiny little sliver of proof that you can.

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“I am in constant appreciation that I am able to continue my outdoor adventures beyond birth giving and I realize many other women do not have the resources or ability to do the same. Creating support for women, at large, to get outdoors only grows in me as time rolls on. “

Erin’s favorite touring board in all of her glory.

I live for soaking in the solitude of the Sierra hot springs at sunset.

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M2O MOLOKAI 2 OAHU PADDLEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2018 IN PICTORIAL PERSPECTIVE

PHOTO: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

Kai Lenny didn’t just cross the Ka’iwi Channel, he road his wings in flying colors from start to finish.

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PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

PREPARATION

PHOTO: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

Before such a colossal crossing such as the M2O, comes a lot of planning, visualization within a paddler’s mind while still running through the strategy, the organization of the proper protocol and communication with your boat crew — do I have my equipment in order? Do I have enough gel? Do I have enough water? Is my boat loaded? The list is meticulous and goes on and on regarding preparation the months, weeks, and days before the event, even down to the morning of the crossing.

The game faces — anxious paddlers crossing for the first time, veterans of multiple crossings, organizers and simply put, a lot of pre-race jitters and adrenaline ready to grind it out on the water for 32 long miles. Preparation and anticipation; it’s all part of the crossing.

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JULY 29, 2018, 6:55 AM At the start of the 22nd annual Molokai-2-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O), presented by Kona Brewing, favorable winds appeared to be creating promising conditions for todayʻs racers, but the Kaʻiwi Channelʻs fickle personality created a puzzle board of mixed swell for athletes to navigate.

PHOTO: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

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was stoked when couple months out, Shannon Delaney (M2O Director) said they were going to allow hydrofoils to cross the channel. I know there’s was some talk about it happening the year prior and I had already figured it’d be a given this year that the green light was ON. For one, I felt the channel crossing needed a boost, more excitement, a fresh rejuvenation of something that will continue to grow and progress and if not with the M2O, then in another form of crossing which will one day attract newer, bigger companies to bring bigger awareness to this event.

I visualized several things a small board could bring to the table and how much time the records could be cut or be broken but foiling across the channel, bottom line is the new “sexy”. Flowing, gliding, finding energy off the underwater movement of liquid is so magical to watch and I knew, once the ice was broken by the guy who really was on the forefront of this new way of riding the motion of the ocean, the world of racing was going to change forever.

Last year I had done a test run to see if it was possible to do the entire channel crossing, as it was still an unknown.

When I was able to do it in a time of three hours and twenty-six minutes in less than ideal conditions, I knew it deserved an event or a division within an existing race. Build it and they will come up to the point I was the only one to have done that crossing on a foil so I figured that an event would only help promote the growth of this emerging sport. That year didn’t go to plan, there was still a lot of uncertainty amongst the event organizers but in the end it all worked out since the big wave world tour got called on in Puerto Escondido,

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Mexico. I had to make the really tough decision to go there and plan my return to the race the following year. It was 2018 when the opportunity was given to us to have a Foil division. It was confirmed late but since the start of the year I was hoping it would happen, so my preparation was evolving quickly just like the equipment under my feet.

The game plan was to be ready for any conditions the channel could dish out. An ideal situation was to have cranking wind that would blow all the way across from Molokai to Oahu. Worse case scenario would be no wind but still some swell to ride which I was prepared for as well. I’ve pictured and dreamt the entire run, moment by moment so when it actually did happen it was a feeling of déjà vu.

I visualized several things a small board could bring to the table, and how much time the records could be cut or be broken. But foiling across the channel, bottom line is the new “sexy.”

PHOTOS: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

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Foil training versus SUP training is different and yet quite the same. The difficulty with the foil is getting a run that’s long enough to the put hours in. Without doing the actual channel it’s incredibly difficult to find a stretch of land on Maui or you can go for over two hours. The Maliko to Kahului harbor run would take 35 minutes at fastest sought have to do many runs like that in order to gain mileage.

The board I used for M2O was an 5‘8“ and 24 inches wide shipped by Keith Taboul. I wanted a board that was small enough that it would be unaffected by the wind conditions but also enough to carry me through the flat sections that Molokai is known for. Namely for the start and the finish. I rode a taller mass that gave me more clearance over the bigger swells in the middle the channel, and the paddle I used was the same length I would ride in the waves. The wing I used was made by the hydrofoil company and it was their new Proto type race wing that had incredible range from high Speed to the low-end as well.

With hydrofoiling, it’s a different dynamic than riding a craft that is within the water. It does allow for much smoother ride since you avoid side chops hitting your board and making things very unstable. But it is a constant grind that the only rest you can find is when you get on a big swell and you’re moving at speed up to 25 m.p.h. and you have to take some long deep breaths and refocus then start connecting to the next glide. I would say overall I was less tired than I would have been if I did the channel on an SUP or are prone paddleboard.

But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a work out, by the end of the crossing my legs felt as if I had been sprinting up a sand hill. The most tiring aspect of the whole ordeal, was actually reading the bumps quick enough and making the right moves to continue connecting those dots.

My mind was the most fatigued, it felt as if I played an intense game of chess for two-hours.

As for the course, it was simple, go as straight as possible to minimize distance and take the quickest line to the finish. I had a couple contingency plans if there were no waves as I approached Hawaii Kai but fortunately for me I had luck on my side and caught two long rides that helped to close the gap towards the finish line. Billy Robello was my boat captain and he did a fantastic job of keeping me on course.

Both Billy and my coach Scott Sanchez were monitoring whether I needed a replenishment of food or water. I never needed to change my water pack because I was able to conserve much more than I would have on a SUP board. The handoffs were quick and easy for my burrito intake. The beauty of the foil was I could do flybys so when the boat was stopped I could swing on by and just do a handoff without losing any time.

This year, we had the wind but it was just a lot of current in the channel so I think with a swell raking in Portlock and the current in our favor with lots of win the time could be shattered. That’s my plan for the years to come — destroy this record. This year I had to do whatever I could just to get across the finish line being on such a small board and paddling for a mile of wind was excruciatingly slow. I utilized the paddle to its maximum and even resorted prone paddling. It was all about getting a cross that line as fast as humanly possible.

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“I’ve pictured and dreamt the entire run, moment by moment. When it actually happened, it was a feeling of déjà vu.”

PHOTO: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

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PHOTOS: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

“The mental mind game was the most fatiguing.

PHOTOS: ERIC HAKA

It felt as if I played an intense game of chess for two-hours.”

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The perfect scenario is they have giant open ocean swells pushing straight out of the east towards Oahu with lots of wind. As these foils develop and become more efficient it’s going to be scary how fast were going to go. It may get to a point in those perfect conditions where a boat or a Jet skis won’t be able to keep up in the rough seas.

As for records, anything in the future is possible, if it’s ever going to happen on a non-motorized or sale craft it’s going to happen on the hydrofoil. We’re only scratching the surface and in order to do the unimaginable we’re gonna need the conditions that we dream of. Everything from technology to mother nature is going to have to come together to make for The perfect run.

As for what got me hooked on hydrofoiling, it’s the ability to turn the worst conditions into the best. Be able to do high-performance things in low performance conditions. That’s what it’s all about taking things to the next level and since the rest the world isn’t as lucky as we are here and to be blessed with amazing surf, the hydrofoil is going to bring surfing to places no one else thought it could exist. There are waves on lakes in the Swiss Alps that are incredible. Believe me, the level of riding in waves and downwind is going to go next level in the coming years. This is only the beginning of what possible. It’s still in its formative years even though it’s been around for 20. We’re riding equipment I think is equivalent to what Greg Noll road back in the day at Waimea Bay. STANDUPpaddlemagazine.COM /

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HYDROFOIL CHANNEL FLYERS

Despite the less than desirable waves, those competing in the inaugural Hydrofoil Board Division sliced through the water in what seemed like effortless flight as their boards glided just above the oceans surface from bump to bump.

Ten hydrofoilers (nine men and one woman) made it across in some of the fastest times ever. The future of channel crossings starts here and records to be broken. Aside from Kai Lenny’s under three-hour mark, South African Nate Van Buren’s 3:17:38, Maui’s Jeffrey Spencer 3:34, Bernd Rodinger’s 3:43 and Ryan Funk’s 3:47:59 also shattered crossing times with Annie Reikert in at 5:20.

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ALTHOUGH THE FOIL BOARD DIVISION STARTED LAST, IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME FOR THESE CHANNEL RIDERS TO JUMP AND PUMP PAST THE PACK OF PRONE AND SUP PADDLERS. NINE MEN AND ONE WOMAN BLAZED THROUGH NEW TERRITORY.

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Travis Grant adds a fourth M2O victory to his trophy case. After becoming the first SUP athlete to paddle the channel under four hours last year, Australian Travis Grant, 35, glided to his fourth Unlimited victory since his first of three straight wins from 2016. Grantʝs time of 4:23:15 was well ahead of his next fastest finisher by 15 minutes. With four titles, maybe he’ll try and cross the channel on another type of board next year.

FOURSUP CROSSING CHAMPION

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R-TIME PHOTO: JIANCA LAZARUS

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With nothing to prove and another crossing completed, Connor Baxter, 23, added another second place finish (4:38:39) to his numerous top-three finishes in grueling competition.

PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

SUP RUNNER AUSTRALIAN, JAMES CASEY, THIRD PLACE IN A TIME OF 4:48:42, FINDING SOME BUMPS THROUGH THE COURSE.

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CONNOR BAXTER, FINDING SOME EARLY GLIDES MIDWAY THROUGH THE CHANNEL.

-UP CROSSERS

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AUSTRALIAN BL Last year’s champion Penelope Strickland from New Zealand finished third in 5:57:09.

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Terrene Black’s time of 5:27:27 was enough to fend off Germany’s Sonni Hönscheid, 37.

PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

BLACK’S ON TOP This year’s competition Hönscheid finished second in 5:32:36 — and won three consecutive M2O Championships from 2014 - 2016.

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4-TIME PRONE PHOTO: JIANCA LAZARUS

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PHOTOS: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

CHAMP Matt Bevilacqua, 26, claimed his fourth straight championship at M2O in a time of 5:05:27. Given his skill and experience, “Bevi” now holds the course record and has the second most wins behind his countryman Jamie Mitchell’s impressive ten consecutive victories, set between 2002 and 2011.

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Alex Wright, 21, was second in 5:12:45. Stewart McLachlan finished third overall on a stock board against the faster-unlimited racers to claim top honors in the Stock Race (5:33:26).

PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

PRONE RUNNERS GOING Stewart McLachlan

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Lachie Lansdown

TWO AND THREE

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Australiaʻs Harriet Brown claimed her second straight championship at M2O said, “At times it felt like we were going slower than if the channel was flat. Youʻd catch a runner and hit another bump, which made you feel like you weren’t catching anything.” The 28-year-old Brown finished in five hours, 51 minutes, 32 seconds, about 37 minutes behind her record-setting performance last year.

PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

PRONE WOMAN

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CHAMP

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Japan’s Mao Kamimura. PHOTOS: JIANCA LAZARUS

PRONE WOMEN

Maddie Spencer

Australian Lizzie Welborn.

PODIUM PLACERS Finishing closely behind Brown in the Women’s Unlimited Prone Race was Australian Lizzie Welborn. The 19-year-old finished in 5:56:19. The two women were evenly matched over the entire course, but Brown had the finishing strength to create a five-minute lead on Welborn in the final miles. Maddie Spencer, 21, finished third in the unlimited race (6:18:32), after paddling in the stock race last year.

Japanʻs Mao Kamimura won the Women’s Stock Race in a time of 7:26:26 ahead of Australian Heli Murray who finished in 7:33:48.

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Prone chatter — strategy of the minds. PHOTO: MEYA

Once officials’ give the green light, paddlers scatter and spread apart but with the same goal in mind. PHOTO: MEYA

PRONE PADDLERS ON THE WATER

Matt Bevilacqua was pushing through to get a lead over the prone pack. PHOTO: MEYA

Midway through the channel and drawing on any energy you can to conserve and glide while maintaining a level of body strength and mental sanity — Brielle Cooper.

PHOTO: LAZARUS

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Coming into near Portlock Point and knowing your end result is close. PHOTO: MEYA

The M2O started as a summer get together of true watermen who were looking for an alternative to riding big waves by prone paddling with the M2O as a committed way to keep themselves in check for the next big wave surf season during the Winter. From a hand full of paddleboarders to an international field of water people from across the globe, many of these unsung heroes spend the year training while spending a fortune, sacrificing time to get here just to achieve a crossing or two under their belt.

And whether you’ve just completed your first one, or your last, you to all intents keep rolling with the tide.

A spectacle on the water at a distance or from the air, the boat crews, wait patiently to find their competitor on the water. PHOTO: LAZARUS

With an injury this year on the World Surfing League Tour, 2-time surf champ John Florence wanted to keep his paddle skills in check and teamed with Kona Johnson to do the M2O. PHOTO: LAZARUS

TER AND ROLLING WITH THE TIDE

Maddie Spencer was coming in through Portlock and putting it all together for a great M2O finish. PHOTO: LAZARUS

When you hit the inside of the bay and pass the boat crews anchored, you know it’s a matter of minutes and seconds to the finish. PHOTO: MEYA

Hunter Pueger, young, determined with plenty of local knowledge. PHOTO: LAZARUS

The thoughts that cross the mind when you look at the ocean within the first 30 minutes from the start and assure you, you have the right line to Oahu. PHOTO: MEYA

THE ULTIMATE Nothing like crossing that line at Maunalua, it’s not just the finish line but the end of a very long channel journey.

Who wouldn’t be smiling? In less than 30 minutes the accomplishment of 32-miles will be one for the books.

PHOTOS: JOHANN MEYA 808PHOTO.ME

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Cruise mode at the start of a crossing and for those who have done it before, a time to chill.

TE CHALLENGE

Coming in parallel to China Wall is the moment you know your day is almost done.

Couple miles off Molokai — watching who takes what line across the Ka’iwi.

From the start of the M2O, there is the camaraderie of paddleboarders who are anxiously waiting with pre-amplified energy, ready to explode out of the gate. Their hopes and goals and dreams of a great glide on bumps and runners fill their minds before they hit the wall of fatigue, thinking, “I just want to finish this!” That is what this crossing does to you — that is what these waters gift you, a feeling of personal accomplishment for most, a sense of greatness to the best paddlers in the world, the 32-mile Molokai to Oahu is the Super Bowl of paddling on the most significant stage of accomplishment for those who dare to take the ultimate challenge.

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L A ST PA D D L E O U T

WHILE “LEADING” THE NEXT GENERATION Annie Reickert made history as the first female across the channel on a hydrofoil — leading the way for the next generation of young women chargers.

Photo: Johann Meya 808photo.me

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Get some water time in on your next trip to Hawaii.

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