Registration Open for Maui Jim Sunglasses Oceanfest

Image courtesy Maui Jim OceanFest.

Registration has officially opened for the Second Annual Maui Jim OceanFest on Ka’anapali Beach fronting the Maui’s Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel from June 4 to 5, 2016.

The annual event attracts hundreds of the premier ocean sports athletes from around the world, who compete for $40,000 in prize money—one of the largest purses in the world for this type of event.

Over the course of two days, teams and individuals will compete in a unique ocean-lifeguard-style event that showcases the breadth and diversity of a wide range of international and Hawaiian-style competitive ocean sports.

“Maui Jim has been enhancing the experience of being in the sun and near water for over 30 years,”said Jay Black, vice president of global marketing for Maui Jim Sunglasses. “We once again look forward to hosting friends from around the world to enjoy intense competition and spectacular views on the beaches where our sunglasses were first created.”

Maui Jim OceanFest takes place one week after the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge, considered to be the World Championship for SurfSki and OC-1 paddling.

“We have custom designed the Maui Jim OceanFest to offer the most unique and intense competition for athletes,” said Matt Dubrule,Maui Jim Sunglasses event director. “But, it’s also a terrific experience for spectators, because the race format at Kā‘anapali Beach allows us to race very close to shore. The races are under five minutes each, but the intensity is extremely high. The races are fast, competitive and fun.”

The lifeguard-style sprint races include swimming, paddleboarding, stand-up paddling (SUP), 1- person outrigger canoe, surfski and elite mixed events that combine the various disciplines similar to a triathlon.

The “sprint” nature of each race will create constant excitement for participants and spectators alike.

Races will be under five minutes in length and are broken into open and age group categories for both men and women. Participants are encouraged to enter multiple races to accrue cumulative individual and team points.

Complementing an elite field of international ocean athletes, many of Maui Jim’s 250-plus brand ambassadors are expected to participate, most of whom are elite paddlers, surfers and well-known ocean athletes.

Reigning 2015 Maui Jim OceanFest overall champion and professional Australian ironman athlete Jackson Maynard is expected to return to defend his title this year.

One of the world’s top SUP champions, Travis Grant, will join a pack of top paddlers, including Zane Schweitzer, Riggs Napoleon and many more.

OC-1 Champions Kai Bartlett and Pat Dolan, along with some of the world’s top surfski racers who will be in town for the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge the prior weekend, will take to the waters for OceanFest.

For an updated list of registered participants, go online.

Registration will remain open until capacity is reached. Athletes are encouraged to register for more than one race at no additional charge.

Early-bird registration fees until May 1 are $125 for one day (all events) and $200 for two days (all events).

Standard registration fees begin on May 2 and are $150 and $250 respectively.

All registration fees will be donated to five nonprofit charities: Hale Makua Health Services, Imua Family Services, Women Helping Women, Maui Arts & Cultural Center and the Maui County Junior Lifeguard Program.

Prize money will be divided by races and overall points categories.

Maui Jim OceanFest will be televised a few weeks after the event takes place and viewers can catch all the action on a wide variety of broadcast options.

International television coverage will be provided by ZONE Media (Ocean Paddler Television, Hawaiian Extreme and WHATSUP). US distribution will be on Universal HD (NBC), HawaiianSkies (Hawaiian Airlines in-flight), Outside Television and Time Warner OC16.

For detailed information on registration, races, entertainment, hotels and more, go online.

Maui Jim OceanFest Event partners: Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel, official host hotel of Maui Jim OceanFest, the Kā‘anapali Beach Resort Association, Hale Makua, Maui Junior Lifeguard Association, United States Lifeguard Association, ZONE Media, Kanaka Ikaika Paddling Association, Kai Wa‘a Canoes, Epic kayaks, Rouge SUP and Ozone OC-1.