Two Big Maui Paddle Events Approach

By Madeline Ziecker

Though surf has died down significantly on Maui’s North Shore as summer approaches, strong winds remain constant and the sun has re-appeared as a fair-weather friend.

These conditions make May a perfect month for the annual downwind stand up paddle (SUP) runs that are scheduled in the coming weeks, including the May 12-13 OluKai Ho’olaule’a race, and The Butterfly Effect SUP event on May 19.

Paddlers make their way out of Maliko Gulch in one of the past OluKai Maui races. Courtesy photo.

OluKai Ho’olaule’a Saturday, May 12 (SUP race) and Sunday, May 13 (OC1 race) at 10 a.m. in Maliko Gulch.

OluKai footwear invites SUP and OC1 (outrigger canoe – one person) paddlers to participate in their annual Maui Ho’olaule’a (celebration), featuring an 8-mile downwind SUP run from Maliko Gulch to Kanaha Beach Park.

The weekend of OluKai paddle events begins 9 a.m. on Saturday with a 3-mile Ohana Fun Paddle from Paia Youth & Cultural Center (Paia Bay) to Kanaha Beach Park.

The entry fee is $20 and includes a luau dinner; proceeds go to OluKai’s Ohana Giveback Program, benefiting Maui Cultural Lands and Hawaii’s Junior Lifeguard Program.

Both the SUP and OC1 races (on separate days) begin at 10 a.m in Maliko Gulch with an opening blessing, followed by special live entertainment, food, an an awards ceremony at Kanaha Beach Park.

Race entry fees are $100 elite and $50 recreational. For more information, including SUP and OC1 race divisions and further schedule details, click here.

The Butterfly Effect Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at Baldwin Beach Park in Paia.

A shot from the 2011 Butterfly Effect event. Photo courtesy of Batel Shimi.

The Butterfly Effect is a water movement that brings women together for an annual 3-mile, non-competitive  SUP downwinder from Baldwin Beach Park to Kanaha Beach Park, presented by Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter.

The event day  begins with check-in and $1 coffee at Paia Bay Coffee Co. from 8-9 a.m., followed by a quick Baldwin Beach Park community clean-up from 9-1o a.m. before the paddle starts.

Maui’s SUP queen Talia Gangini provides a Hawaiian blessing over the event and a yoga warmup stretch for participating women until 11 a.m., when the paddle begins.

Paddlers will arrive at Kanaha Beach Park for lunch and a second beach clean-up that takes place from 1-2 p.m.

Other post-paddle events include a Butterfly Effect fashion show at Thee Salon at 6 p.m. and an after-party at Charley’s with DJ Boomshot. The cover charge for the after-party is $13 for general admission and $5 for participants in The Butterfly Effect.

The entry fee for the paddle is a $35 donation to Surfrider Foundation and includes lunch, event-wear (lycra), and a goody bag. For more information, visit The Butterfly Effect’s event page on Facebook.