Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Moloka’i 2 Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships

The second of two race weekends at the 25th anniversary Molokaʻi 2 Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships(M2O), presented by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority through the Signature Events Program wraps up with the (SUP) and prone paddleboard races on Sunday, July 28, 2024.

A strong international field of world class male and female paddlers are set to challenge the 32-mile course that will cross the Kaiwi Channel from the island of Moloka’i to O’ahu.

“As we look to the weekend to celebrate the 25th Anniversary race it’s hard not to get emotional for this huge milestone for the event and so many athletes,  We have some of the original athletes from that first race jumping in to compete with their kids or as an escort captain. It will be an amazing gathering of athletes this weekend,” said Mike Takahashi, the race director and founder of the event. 

Athletes to Watch at 25th Moloka‘i-2-O‘ahu PaddleboardWorld Championships

PRONE Paddleboard Athletes

Top honors for the Unlimited male paddleboard division are likely to come from three strong Australian contenders. Returning champion Charlie Verco, 23, from North Bondi, will be challenged by Stewart Mclachlan, 36. Mclachlan is the stock board record holder and was leading the race in 2023 on an unlimited board but had an unfortunate equipment failure. Campbell Guthrie, 25, from Queensland, who finished 4th overall in 2018, barely missing a podium finish, will race again Sunday with experience under his belt.  Australian paddling legend Mick Di Betta at age 61, will be pushing for a top finish on his 24th crossing. Di Betta  was the inaugural race winner in 1997. Local Lifeguard Matt Sack, 54, will be racing his 25th race, having entered every edition of the race.

The sole entrant in the Unlimited female division is Bronte Hartland, 30, of Queensland, Australia, who was a part of the 2-person team winner in 2018.

The Stock male division is this year’s loaded field with Callum Sutton, 23, of NSW Australia, who finished 3rd last year and Harrison Stone, 26, also hailing from NSW. Stone currently holds the 3rd fastest time in history on the stock board.  All the stock athletes will be challenged by young guns Lucas Forbes, 17, of Auckland, New Zealand and local favorite Toa Pere, 15, of Haleiwa. Pere is the youngest to compete in both the M2O and Catalina Classic last summer in the paddleboard solo division. Lachlan Lansdown of Queensland, Australia, has been a top 3 finisher in multiple M2O races and is not one to be overlooked as a contender on his return to the channel.  Hawaiian Kahala Sodaro,15,will race the stock division after competing in the FOIL division last Sunday. 

Katrina Madill, 33, of New Zealand, returns to the Stock female division after taking first in the 2023 crossing.  Liz Hunter, 37, from California returns to challenge the channel again this year after placing 3rd in 2023 and winningthe 2023 Catalina Classic.  Christina Boring, 33, of California, and Allison Schillinger, 26, of Honolulu, return to race this weekend after strong performances in the 2023 M2O.  

SUP Athletes

This year’s SUP category includes participants from Hawaiʻi, Japan, Brazil, Peru, and the Virgin Islands. This international crowd brings veterans and new entrants alike to the 25th anniversary of the race.  Hawaiian local Robert Stehlnik, 56, will race SUP Unlimited after a strong WING Foil performance at the FOIL edition on the weekend. h

• Link to Start List 
• Link to Schedule of Events  
• Live satellite tracking of athletes and results will be linked from Molokai2Oahu.com.  

Race Day Schedule –Sunday July 28, 2024

• START: 7:30 a.m. Kepuhi Beach – Molokaʻi
• FINISH: 11-4 p.m. Maunalua Bay Beach Park – Hawaiʻi Kai Honolulu (First Finishers expected at noon).

M2O is presented by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority with additional support from Duke’s Waikiki, Florence, Spartan, dryrobe®, Futures Fins, Garmin, Reyn Spooner, Maui Brewing Company, Talis Crew, Bark, Kauai Coffee, Pauwela Beverage, Company, DotVison, and OceanPaddler.