Finishing the Molokai2Oahu paddleboard race is ridiculously difficult.  The only thing that might be tougher than finishing the race is sorting through the logistics of getting you and your board to the start line. Completing Molokai (or any other major channel crossing) can be  a logistical nightmare if you do not know what you are doing. Our insiders guide should help alleviate any fears you have about dealing with the logistical hassles of a channel crossing.

Below you will find our step by step guide to getting you and your board to the start line of Molokai. The general blueprint is that you will be arriving in Oahu on Tuesday or Wednesday. You will fly to Molokai on Friday and hang there until the race on Sunday.

4-6 months out

• Register for the Molokai2Oahu race
  • Registration sells out fast. Don’t dawdle.
  • Get your registration forms from the http://www.molokai2oahu.com website.
• Organize your boat registration
  • Whether you are doing a solo crossing or relay you will need an escort boat
  • Contact Escort Boats of Hawaii
    • Fritz King
    • 808-290-1147
    • escortboatshawaii@ridingbumps.com
• Get serious about your training
  • Completing Molokai can be an absurd proposition if you are not prepared.  If you are worried that you are doing too much or too little training we suggest talking with a coach or trying one of our Molokai/Ultra-Distance training programs

• Tell your best friend, spouse, or worst enemy that they are coming to Molokai with you. Inform them that they are going to be your “support crew.” Consider calling them a “sherpa” if you think “support crew” is too banal. This person better come equipped with swimming skills because they are going to travel with you during the race and jump in and out of the water to give you your fluids and nutrition during the race. Just in case, pick someone who will be OK when they see you vomit, defecate on yourself, or watch you crack and have a meltdown during the race.  Try to convince them that this will be a fun vacation and they should pay their way. If that does not work, offer to split their travel expenses with them. When that does not work, offer to pay for their tickets.

3  Months out:

• Get your plane tickets to Oahu. You might save a few bucks by waiting longer but you might also wind up with a flight that lands the day before the race. Avoid the pre-race madness, spend a few extra bucks, and get your tickets dialed in.
  • Think about showing up a full week early and do a downwind run/race the week before.
  • At a minimum, get to Oahu on the Tuesday before the race. You are going to need a few days to get yourself sorted out, get over your jetlag, and get your things over to Molokai.
  • The absolute last day you should even think about showing up is Thursday before the race.
  • You can leave Oahu on the Monday after the race but some racers leave on Tuesday because they are just too cracked to get up and deal with packing their things the day after the race.

• Get your lodging.
  • You are going to need two hotels.
    • Get a place in Oahu. Many racers stay in Waikiki as lodging is extensive and (relatively) inexpensive. The trip from Waikiki to the race finish is about 10 miles and it is an easy drive.
      • Be sure to keep the room the nights you are in Molokai. You will only be bringing over the bare essentials to Molokai because you cannot bring all of your stuff back on the boat (and you are certainly not going to paddle it back with you). You are paying for two rooms but checking in and checking out is a hassle. Split the fee with your buddies but keep two rooms.

• Get a place in Molokai
  • The race is heaquartered at Kaua Koi Villas 800-367-5004
  • If they are full try the Kenani Kai 808-552-276 or Swanson realty 808-553-3648 or Tropical Island Properties 800-367-2984

• Get your car rental
  • You are going to need a car in Oahu. In theory you can take cabs from place to place but lugging around a board and getting back and forth from the airport and race finish can be a real pain if you do not have a car.
  • Although you could also rent a car in Molokai, you can get away with taking taxis. Most racers do not get rent a car in Molokai.  If you do rent a car, remember you will need to drop it off on Saturday as there is no way you are going to be able to get to and from the airport on Race day. This extra step is a hassle you do not need.

• Get your transport from Oahu to Molokai
  • You are going to be flying to MKK airport.
  • Island Air and Mokulele Airlines (go!) both fly to MKK from the Oahu commuter terminal.
  • It is recommended to fly over to Molokai the Friday before the race

2 Months out :

• Organize your board shipment
  • The best bet is to have your board shipped to the airport in Oahu and pick it up when you arrive in Oahu at the airport.
  • Try Aloha Freight http://www.alohafreight.com or H20 Logistics. http://www.h2ologistics.com
    • If you do not have a second board to train on while your main board is in transit, now is the time to borrow or buy one. Whatever you do, be sure you have a second board to use to train on before the race. Skipping the last 2 weeks training before your race is a drag.

One week out or at least 48 hours before your plane leaves to Oahu:

• organize your race day nutrition and associated items so you are not running around like a crazy person the day before you leave.
  • Pre-pack your powdered nutrition. Use whatever you  have been using while racing. We use carbo-pro and electrolytes
    • Pre pack individual ziplocks with the amount of powder you will need in each water bottle or camelbak. You do not want to have your support team trying to weigh out or measure powder on the boat. You really do not want them eyeballing things. If they get it wrong you could get GI upset if your hydration or  nutrition is not formulated properly
  • Bring several extra water bottles if you are doing prone and at least one extra camelbak if you are doing SUP
  • Anti-emetic: Bring bonine (meclazine) if you are prone to seasickness. Some athletes take ½ dose. Your sherpa may need them. Better safe than sorry
  • Bring a dry bag to keep the items you bring to Molokai dry on the boat.
  • Pack your roof rack straps and/or soft rack.
  • Bring your race day nutrition: do not rely on picking something up at the store in Molokai. Bring enough bars and gels to get you through the race. Do not underestimate how many calories you will need. Pack at least 500 calories/hour of racing.
  • Ding repair kit just in case something happens to your board in transit.

The day you land in Oahu .

• Organize your board return to your hotel at the finish. Reserve a taxi. You can always cancel it if you meet someone at your hotel in Waikiki with a car that can take you. Actually what you are going to do is take the taxi back to your hotel and pick up your car then go back to the finish and retrieve your board.  Better yet – send your support person to do this. You will be cracked.

Thursday before your race

• Meet your boat captain in Oahu.
• Give them all of the water you will need during the race
  • You can keep your bottles filled with powder with you if you want but make sure you leave the liquid with them.
  • Be sure to give them some cans of Coke and Red Bull. Just in case.
  • Race check in at Dukes Waikiki from 11Am to 5PM
  • Organize your boards travel from Oahu to Molokai
    • UPDATE: this year Kamaka Air freight will likely be shipping boards on a flight leaving the Friday before the race. Right now this is all we know. The M20 organizers are working hard to make this happen. We will update this post when more information is available.

Friday before the race

• Fly to Molokai
• As stated previously, we recommend taking a taxi from the airport to your hotel.
  • Stop off on the way at a grocery store and stock up. There is a convenience store at the Kaua Koi Villas but you don’t want to rely on that for 2 days before your race.
  • Start your pre-race hydration. Your goal is to pee clear for 24 hours before the race. Keep a water bottle with you all day (and drink from it). Ideally you will drink something with electrolytes in it such as NUUN or Emergen-C. Don’t over do it with the water though. Do not go nuts with the drinking –  overhydration is not the goal.

Saturday  – day before the race

• Prerace check in: Kaluakoi Beach Area. Check in starts at 5:30 PM. Be sure to bring $10.00 for dinner or cook your own meal at your condo
• Continue your pre-race hydration
• Chill

Race day

• get up 2 hours before and eat your pre race meal. Get in at least 1000 Calories. It is going to be a long day.  You can find a full discussion of race day nutrition and hydration in The Riding Bumps Book
• 6:45 AM Pre race Pule’ (Hawaiian Prayer)
• Paddle from Molokai to Oahu (duh)
• Dont forget to tip your boat captain at the end of the race
• Don’t forget to thank your support person
• Drink Longboards at the awards dinner at the Outrigger Canoe Club. You want to be here. Trust us. $30.00 is cheap for two free Longboards and dinner.