Molokai Date

I have noticed a steady decline in numbers doing the Molokai world championship race, in particular from the South Africans. I think the race is still a great open water endurance event and one day I would love to complete it again, (next time on a ski and not an OC1). I just hope the race is still going when my kids get older and I can afford the necessary training time.

Correct me if I am wrong, but originally the race was held in May to suit the outrigger schedule of Hawaii (At the end of the single craft races and before the 6-person races start). Now the surfski race is split from the OC1 race, does the scheduling of the race need to be revised? Just putting it out there.
Stephen

The date wasn't the issue for me...it was the $325 entrance fee, with a mandatory escort boat (20" minimum, at least $500) cost, airfare to Molo, coupled with the sad fact that I would have been lucky to finish DFL. Don't know that the date needs to be changed-but I don't really know why the race split between OCs and skis either though.
It also doesn't help that there is virtually no reporting on here either.

Anybody from Australia care to post up exactly their total spend to do the race?

I think for 99% of SA people, the cost is hugely prohibitive and we now have the Mauritius Ocean Classic (haven't done it myself...yet) which offers a slightly watered down island and open ocean experience at a fraction (probably 50%) of the cost!

I will do Molokai one day bit need to make some proper $ first!

Stephen

I don't think there is a Saffa paddler that does not dream of doing Molokai one day. Definitely not a few times unless the paddler is sponsored or mega rich. And I am sure some of the sponsored paddlers still have to count their pennies.

First of all, Hawaii is almost on the opposite point of the globe from SA. So if possible you might want to go there a week before the race to get over the jet lag. So we are looking at accommodation for at least a week, most probably more like 2 weeks.

Secondly is the airfare, which is not small since I am sure we would have to get to Hawaii via the US.

Thirdly the paddler if not sponsored will have to first hope a preferred ski is available for rental and then rent and pay for that for a week until and including the race day to get used to the sea conditions there.

Fourthly there is the escort boat that must be organised if available and then organised and paid for. And I am sure they will not charge budget or discount rates. More $.

Only then after you got all that sorted are you even thinking of the lowly race fee of $325, which I am almost sure is only a fraction of your budget.

So there you have it. I still plan to do it one day, but it will be a once off, and then I just hope the trade winds play ball and reward me for all of my effort and $ forked out for the privilege.

Just wondering why there has been no report on this years race. Is everything ok at surfski.info as I have noticed its not so 'busy' anymore, very sad if thats the case as its all we paddlers really have to world wide view of our sport.

Yes Rubberduck, I agree. It is never going to be a regular race but dream to complete it one year. I dreamed of doing it the OC1 and did. Now I dream of doing it once more on a ski, just as a test for myself.

You are right that costs essentially mean it will always be a one-off for many people. In this regard would it be worth having another event on Ohau the week before to kill two birds with one stone? When I went for the OC1 race we did two other great races, combined with the solo over a 3 week period. 3 weeks may be too long but for a one-off trip perhaps not.

The one man band that is surfski.info Robin alerted the forum a little while ago to the fact that he was a bit burnt out trying to keep up

Several of us have offered to assist with moderation.

I asked Robin about submitting reviews and articles last year and I know that he would welcome articles or reviews sent to him so he can edit and publish them.

I was going to do something up on the Avon Decent here in WA but got injured just prior to the race and the race was a non event anyway due to the low water levels.

I'm sure there are some budding journalists out there who could put together some reviews and race reports for the site

A race like Molokai should have a two or three day window, so you don't need to travel half way round the globe and spend tons of cash just to get there only experience "probably the flattest race in years"...

I think a "window" would improve the chances of optimium race conditions and make paddlers more keen to get there to participate, as they will be certain of getting at least the best day out of a possible 2 or 3. At the moment it is kind of hit and miss. And there has been alot of missing recently.

Race time should also be in the middle of the "Trade Wind" season, not when the seasons (and wind) are changing again and winds are starting to fade.

Neal.