This year’s Molokai 2 Oahu was really exciting.  It was a sold out event with over 150 prone and stand up paddlers signing up to race one of the most difficult channels between Molokai to Oahu, the Ka’iwi channel.  The 32 mile paddle can be cruel but this  time I knew what I was getting into.  I had already done the crossing last year but now I was a more experienced paddler and felt a bit more confidant.  I had a few recent long distance crossings under my belt, and I had a very knowledgable boat crew to support me. With my Dad at the captain’s wheel and his friend Randy Clark as crew, we really had a good team, as Randy and my dad know the Kaiwi channel well.  I knew I had to keep focused on my goal of finishing within 5 to 5 and half hours.  After getting sunstroke during the Maui to Molokai race a few weeks earlier,  I really tried to stay very hydrated by filling up my DaKine water pack every hour with water.  I also made sure I had tons of Watermann’s sunscreen on to protect myself from too much sun, and I forced myself to eat a few bananas before the race to keep my muscles from cramping.  I really was trying to stay aware of the wind direction, wave swell, tides and currents too.  My board was fast, my body felt strong, and I listened to my instincts. (more…)