KIRA #11. Maui Jim Molokai Challenge

KIRA #11. Maui Jim Molokai Challenge
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43rd Annual

Results

Molokai Challenge Results 2018

Course:  Molokai to Oahu. 32 miles (53 km) across the Ka’iwi channel.

START: Kaluakoi Beach on the west end of Molokai

FINISH:  Kona Brew Pub in Koko Marina Shopping Center, Hawaii Kai, Oahu.

Date:  Sunday May 27, 2018

Forms

Escort Boat Waiver Form

View Paddler List

Adult waiver: https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/5a7a2d7e2cc2b/web/
Minor waiver: https://www.smartwaiver.com/w/5a7a2dd8366c5/web/

TIMELINE:

April 29 12:00 midnight, early registration ends, late registration fee imposed.
May 13 midnight, Registration closes. Escort boat waiver and registration form due.
May 24 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Kona Brew Pub in Koko Marina Shopping Center, Hawaii Kai: Race check in and packet pick up.
May 26 5:30 p.m. Kaluakoi, Molokai.  Pre-race meeting.
May 27 RACE DAY! Pule: 8:00 a.m.

Pule: 8:00 a.m.

Start #1: 8:30 a.m. SUP and Prone mandatory start, self-proclaimed slow paddlers and OC-6 Juniors

Start #2: 9:30 a.m.  All other female paddlers, and self-proclaimed slower/intermediate male paddlers.

Start #3: 10:00 a.m. Elite male paddlers.

Course Closes: 4:00 p.m. Paddlers must be around Portlock Point and inside China Wall or they will have to pull their craft off the water.

Post-Race: 5:00 p.m.  Paddler’s buffet dinner at Kona Brew Pub in Koko Marina Shopping Center with an awards presentation.  Doors open at 11:00 a.m. Guests are welcome to patronize the restaurant.

OVERFLOW PARKING:  Additional parking will be available across the street at Koko Head     Elementary.  Participants with canoes or surfskis on their rooftops are asked to park at the elementary school or at Hawaii Kai boat ramp as the Koko Marina Shopping Center parking is tight and boats could get damaged.
June 02 & 03 Maui Jim Ocean Shootout in Ka’anapali, Maui.  $50,000.00 purse. Click: http://mauijimoceanshootout.com/#/Home

DIVISIONS:

SOLO and RELAY:  Relay is one division only, but can have 2 or 3 person teams for single seated crafts and 3–6 person teams for double seated crafts.  There is not a different division for varying number of team members.

OC-6 Junior Relay can have up to 12 paddlers per crew. Contact race director.

Craft Divisions:  Surfski-1, Surfski-2, Prone Paddleboard, SUP, V-1, OC-1, OC-2, OC-3, OC-6

  • Surfski-1, OC-1:
    • Solo – Male and Female:
      • Junior (18 and under), 19 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 56, 57 – 63, 64+
      • HAWAII RESIDENT: There will be a division and award for the top SS-1 Hawaii resident paddler
    • Relay: 2 or 3 paddlers per team.
      • Male and Female: Open = 1st–3rd, Juniors, 19-50, 50+.
      • Mixed: Open
  • V-1:
    • Solo – Male and Female: Open
    • Relay – Open (Male, Female or Mixed)
  •   Surfski-2, OC-2:
    • Solo
      • Male and Female: Open
      • Mixed: Open
    • Relay: 3 – 6 paddlers per team.
      • Male and Female: Junior, Open.
      • Mixed: Open
  • SUP:
    • Solo – Male and Female
      • Unlimited – Any board size: Open
    • Relay: 2 or 3 person teams: Male, Female and Mixed.
      • Unlimited: Open
  • Prone:
    • Solo – Male and Female
      • Unlimited: Open
    • Relay: 2 or 3 person teams: Male, Female and Mixed
      • Unlimited: Open
  • OC-3 and OC-6. Contact race director for more information.

Notes:

  • Mixed divisions can have no more than 50% of their team to be male, hence only 1 male paddler per single seat craft relay teams and no more than 2 male paddlers per double seat (4 person team) craft relay teams (for a 3 person team only 1 male).  6 persons can have 3 males.
  • SUP relay divisions will include a 14’ class if there is substantial participation.
  • Relay Surfski teams cannot switch crafts every change. Substitute craft(s) allowed only once per race and subject to you finding an escort willing to change crafts mid channel. It’s encouraged to find a suitable sized partner, or a ski with easily adjusting footpedals so that no craft changes are needed.  OC-1 relay teams must use one canoe.
  • OC-1 and Surfski solo: Top 5 will be recognized as open with age group beginning at 6th
  • SUP and Prone solo: If there is a resounding amount of entries, we’ll open up another board class and/or age group divisions, with top 3 overall being recognized as open, and age groups per board division beginning at 4th
  • All relay teams are entered in the age group of the youngest team member. Hence, youngest paddler determines your category.
  • Relay teams in all disciplines will default top 3 to open with age group placing starting with 4th
  • There will be 3 starting times to send slower crafts and paddlers earlier. There will be a time cut off, so if you are slow and you want to finish the race, you should start in one of the first two starts.  It is mandatory to start at the time for which you registered!
  • Prize money is limited only to Surfski and OC-1 solo divisions.

Start Times:  YOU MUST START AT THE TIME FOR WHICH YOU REGISTERED! Early start times are mandatory for slower crafts and recommended for paddlers who know they will be slow.

Start #1: 8:30 a.m. SUP and Prone mandatory start, self-proclaimed slow paddlers and OC-6 Juniors

Start #2: 9:30 a.m.  All other female paddlers, and self-proclaimed slower/intermediate male paddlers.

Start #3: 10:00 a.m. Elite male paddlers.

Course Closes at 4:00 pm.  If you are not at Portlock Point by 4:00 p.m., you must pack your craft on your escort and ride in.  If you continue paddling without authorization by the officials you will be disqualified. This is a safety precaution as we need to be certain all persons are safely accounted for on Oahu well before dark in the event of an emergency.

Registration options:

You can register online at flpregister.com.

Entry Fee and deadlines:

Solo entries

Before April 22: $230.00 per adult paddler $115.00 per junior (18 and under). Contact Kanaka Ikaika for junior discount code
From April 23–May 13: $275.00 per adult paddler $160.00 per junior (18 and under)

Relay or Tandem entries

Before April 22: $200.00 per adult paddler $100.00 per junior (18 and under). Contact Kanaka Ikaika for junior discount code
From April 23–May 13: $245.00 per adult paddler $145.00 per junior (18 and under)

May 14: Registration Closed

Entry fee includes an event shirt, Scott Hawaii slippers, a meal at Kona Brew Pub, a few Kona Brewing Co’s craft beers, raffle ticket to win great prizes and more.

Prize Money.  

$14,000.00 purse: For Surfski and OC-1 Elite Solo category only.

    Male SS Male OC-1 Female SS Female OC-1
1st Overall $2,000.00 $1,200.00 $1,200.00 $750.00
2nd Overall $1,200.00 $750.00 $750.00 $450.00
3rd Overall $1,000.00 $600.00 $600.00 $350.00
4th Overall $750.00 $450.00 $450.00 $250.00
5th Overall $500.00 $300.00 $300.00 $200.00

Pre-Race packet pick up and escort boat captain’s information:

Thursday May 24th 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Kona Brew Pub in Koko Marina, Hawaii Kai.  Plan to stay for a few beers and some dinner.

Pre-Race Briefing on Molokai:

Saturday May 26th, 5:30 PM in the courtyard at Kaluakoi Villas.

Escort Boat Information.  Each paddler or team entry must have an escort boat. GET YOUR ESCORT BOAT LINED UP EARLY.  EXPECT TO PAY $800.00 +/- plus cost of transporting craft to Molokai. All competitors will be REQUIRED to send in a boat waiver in order for their entry to be confirmed – Please CLICK HERE for boat waiver and submit no later than May 13, 2018.

Molokai Protocol and Good Neighbor Policy

* Observe a no wake (less than 5 mph) speed within 500 yards of any shoreline.  There have been several instances of speeding escort boats almost hitting divers.

  1. * No fishing of any type within 500 yards of shore.
  2. * No Opihi picking.
  3. * No harvesting of lobster, it is out of season from May to August.
  4. * No camping on private property or non-designated camping areas, including Make Horse Beach.  The Molokai Police Department will be sending officers to cite unpermitted camping.  There will be a legal, permitted set up at Papohaku Park.
  5. * You must pick up your trash.  It would be a great gesture of good will if you could leave Molokai cleaner than when you got there.
  6. * The Shoreline area will be patrolled 24/7. Any escort boats on in compliance with the rules above will be recorded and will be marked for all future events that start or finish in Molokai.  All Molokai event organizers have agreed to abide by the rules and ban any captains and their boats that do not respect the local protocol. Please kokua!
  7. * SUMMARY = RESPECT MOLOKAI

Escort Boat Requirements:                                                                                               

* All athletes/teams are responsible for obtaining and turning in the escort boat waiver AND a copy of your captain’s boating certificate or credentials if USCG merchant mariner. These waivers are available to download from the website and must be mailed or e-mailed to joellefoti@gmail.com by May 13, 2018 in order for your     entry to be accepted

* Escorts must be a minimum of 17 feet

* IT IS MANDATORY that all escort boats check in with lead official on channel 72 before the start of the race. Any paddler whose boat has not been checked in cannot race and will not be considered as part of the event or the responsibility      of the event organizers. Water patrol will be on-hand to enforce this rule.

* Escort boats must have at least one spotter in addition to the captain.

* Escort boats must assist any paddler or boat in distress.

* All escort boats must have fixed VHF radios.  No hand held VHF radios allowed, this is a DQ offense.  Escort boats must check in with the head official boat prior to the first start at 7:50 am.  Primary channel is 72 after the race start.  Escort boats must confirm connection with their paddler on VHF 72.  Back up channel is 71.

* Race officials must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the start of the race of any changes to escort boat information.

* All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG and must have passed the BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION SAFETY CLASS AND HAVE THEIR BOATER SAFETY EDUCATION CARD ON THEM AT ALL TIMES.                                                                                                                  

*  At the end of the race, escort boats must check out with the head official boat on vhf 72 when their paddler reaches Portlock Point and begins the turn into Maunalua Bay.

Things to consider when hiring an escort boat

  1. Extra Riders: A helper/Safety Swimmer is helpful. Person must know how to Swim and be Boat Oriented. Rider(s) must Swim Offshore to Board Vessel. Major concern is Liability for extra Passengers on Board. If boat is Big enough to carry extra Passenger an additional Fee may be required.
  2. Transporting race day provision’s: To avoid hauling Provisions on the Plane or Swimming it out to the Boat. Make arrangements to have Provisions go to Molokai on Board your Escort Boat..
  3. Obtain a Picture of the boat that will be escorting you and meet up with your Boat Captain once in Hawaii to identify what your boat looks like. There will be many Boats offshore at the start and very difficult to identify.  You can drop water and provisions to your boat in Oahu or request that your boat load up with water prior to the race.  You will be loading your boat from the shore in Molokai so think about this as you plan what you need.
  4. When contacting Escort Boats Hawaii for an escort boat please give them the category you will be competing in so they can get you a Boat that fits your needs. Also inquire about transporting your paddle craft.
  5. At the end of the Race, coordinate with you Escort Boat to collect your personal belongings as the boats will not be allowed to land at Koko Marina so as not to create a Boat Congestion at the Finish Line. This is critical if you do not have a helper on board.
  6. Make sure your boat shows up early enough to get your gear on board. JETSKIS AND THRILLCRAFT ARE NOT ALLOWED NEAR SHORE SO DON’T COUNT ON OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE TO GET YOUR GEAR TO THE BOAT.  PACK ACCORDINGLY.
  7. Competitor is responsible to make sure their boat captain understands all these rules and regulations and turns in all appropriate forms.

Safety Precautions

  1. All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard Standards as defined by the USCG
  2. Make sure at least one person in your escort boat is CPR certified and has basic first aid knowledge and equipment.
  3. Make sure the tether to your craft has a quick release Wear brightly colored shorts and a hat.  Carry or wear a personal flotation device.
  4. Carry a Coast Guard approved personal location device on your person.
  5. Have all persons on your escort boat wear personal flotation devices.  Inspect your escort boat, make sure it is safe.
  6. Make sure your boat has a bullhorn or megaphone so your boat can communicate with you.
  7. Make sure your boat has binoculars, flares, and other emergency equipment.
  8. Meet with your escort boat captain prior to the race to discuss the race morning loading plan, all safety procedures, race route, where to meet before the race starts so you can get your gear on board, and how to meet after the race starts.  Make sure the race number sticker is on both sides of the boat in a clearly visible area.
  9. Make sure you carry your boat captain’s contact info with you at all times on Molokai. This includes, boat description/name, Hawaii phone number, cell phone number, and home phone number and email.
  10. PWCs (personal watercraft ie jetskis) are not allowed on any of the beaches in Hawaii.   Under no circumstances can a PWC beach itself onto any of the Hawaiian shorelines.

Some surfski rental options:

Some OC-1 rental options:

Boat and Board Transportation from Oahu to Molokai:

You have three options to transport your craft to Molokai (from Oahu):

  1. Send it up on your escort boat.  Check with your captain, or Escort Boats Hawaii if using them,  about this service.
  2. Send it on a trailer which will depart Tuesday prior to the race. Loading will be Monday  afternoon in Hawaii Kai near the boat ramp. Boats and boards will be available in Kaluakoi Thursday morning May 24th.  Contact:  HinaKai13@yahoo.com
  3. Book a 3rd party transport on selected escort boats. Escort Boats Hawaii will handle this service. Space is limited. Contact: escortboatshawaii2000@yahoo.com

For option #2: Hina Kai X-press will be handling all the bookings and transportation.  Contact Kekai at HinaKai13@yahoo.com, or call 808 271-6573 to make your booking.

For option #3: Escort Boats Hawaii will be handling all the bookings.  You will be responsible to deliver your ski, canoe or board to the transport boat on Wednesday or Thursday prior to the race (location variable depending on where captain’s boat is located). escortboatshawaii2000@yahoo.com..

Recommended accommodations (on Oahu):

  1. Our hotel partner, Aqua Hospitality is offering a 15% discount on all their properties to the paddlers, for the entire year! Go to: aquahospitality.com  or call the reservations dept. at (866)-940-2782

Use promo code:  H2O2018

  1. Or for affordable lodging in a country setting check out Kokokahi YWCA, which is on the water in Kaneohe Bay, on windward Oahu. For as little as $21.00 per person, per night you stay in a rustic Hawaiian cabin with common bathrooms and lots of outside space in a beautiful oceanfront setting. You can also tent camp for $12.00 per night. Visit: https://ywca-oahu.squarespace.com/cabins/ for information. To make bookings or inquiries, you can also contact Amber Camarillo by e-mail atacamarillo@ywcaoahu.org or phone 808 247-2124. Identify yourself as part of the race to be part of the group to get the rate.

Travel to Molokai:

  1. You can go up on your escort boat
  2. Book your commercial flights at:
    1. makanikaiair.com
    2. hawaiianairlines.com
    3. mokuleleairlines.com
    4. https://molokai-vacation-rental.net/extras.php
      1. Molokai Vacation Rentals has a relationship with Mokulele air, Molokai Outdoors and Alamo rent a car. They can coordinate everything on Molokai including your trip from Oahu.
  3. Outside travel agent arrangements

On Molokai:

Full packages: If you don’t want to manage all the logistics yourself; WE PADDLE AUSTRALIA can take care of everything:  Airfare to Hawaii and to Molokai, hotels and ground transportation on Oahu and Molokai, escort boat hire, ski hire, nutrition, training program if desired and more.  WE PADDLE AUSTRALIA will also be organizing downwind paddles on Oahu the week prior to the race Visit: http://www.wepaddle.com.au/index.php?pr=We_Paddle_Travel_Packages or email info@wepaddle.com.au for more information.

POST RACE AWARDS PRESENTATION:  5:00 p.m. at Kona Brew Pub in the Koko Marina Shopping Center for paddler’s buffet dinner and the awards presentation.  The Brew Pub is open to the public at 11:00 a.m.  Kona Brew Pub will have a normal menu for anyone who wishes to sit and dine.

OVERFLOW PARKING:  Additional parking will be available across the street at Koko Head Elementary. Participants with canoes or surfskis on their rooftops are asked to park at the elementary school or at Hawaii Kai boat ramp as the Koko Marina Shopping Center parking is tight and boats could get damaged.

Maui Jim Ocean Shootout: Stick around another week and vie for your share of the $50,000.00 purse!  Multi discipline sprint race format in swimming, Surfski, SUP, OC-1 and Prone Paddle boarding.  On Ka’anapali Beach in Maui this is an event not to miss. Visit https://raceroster.com/events/2018/16290/maui-jim-ocean-shootout-2018

For questions and additional information, don’t hesitate to contact us at jkfoti@gmail.com.

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