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The time had finally arrived to hop on my flight for a trip to the 2011 Molokai2Oahu World Championships. My partner Bodie Shandro and I had entered into the 2 man, 14’ SUP division and after months of training, we were ready to compete against some of the world’s best waterman including 9 time champion Jamie Mitchell, Pipe Master Gerry Lopez, Ekolu Kalama, Chuck Patterson, Connor Baxter and a host of other top athletes. The Molokai Channel is referred to as the “Channel of Bones” and is one of the most dangerous bodies of water in the world. This race is on the tick list for most serious prone, outrigger and SUP paddlers. I had looked into wanting to SUP it last year but Bodie Shandro and I decided to take it on this year and fulfill a dream. We were to be the first two Canadian standup paddlerboarders to do the channel and we were proud to be pulling hard for the red and white. I was also excited about the coastal link between British Columbia and Hawaii with thoughts that the Haida at one time may have canoed from their home waters of Haida Gwaii to the Hawaiian Islands. The beliefs, values and connections seem universal amongst coastal aboriginal people and having been immersed in our coastal traditions gave me a greater appreciation and understanding of the importance of the Hawaiian culture. This channel was going to provide me another opportunity to experience the spirit and power of an ocean and it's people.
