The Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O), presented by the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, made a triumphant return to racing today after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Amidst this highly anticipated event, Australian athletes once again demonstrated their longstanding dominance in the prone paddleboard discipline, with Charlie Verco from North Bondi, New South Wales, emerging as the impressive winner of the unlimited category.
Racers from across the globe were greeted with favourable conditions, as trade winds blew at 20 knots and wind swells reached six feet (1.82 m), setting the stage for a thrilling contest. A sold-out, international field of 250 men and women embarked on the challenging 32-mile (51.5km) downwind course across the Kaʻiwi Channel towards the south shore of Oʻahu, navigating treacherous tides and currents to seek the fastest route to victory.
The solo disciplines of prone paddleboard, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), SUP foil, and wing showcased some of the most remarkable performances in paddleboarding history. In the solo prone paddleboard race, Charlie Verco proved to be an extraordinary talent, claiming the top spot in the unlimited category with a remarkable time of 4 hours, 53 minutes, and 26 seconds. This achievement marked the 22-year-old’s first-ever attempt at crossing the Kaʻiwi Channel, underscoring his prowess and potential in the sport.
Following closely behind, the 31-year-old Jackson Maynard, another Australian contender, secured the second position with an impressive time of 5 hours and 7 minutes. Maynard’s determination and skill were on full display, adding to the showcase of Australian excellence in the race.
Former M2O champion, Stewart McLachlan, displayed remarkable resilience despite encountering mechanical problems with his board. His adaptability and quick thinking forced him to ditch his longer, sleeker unlimited board for a shorter stock board, which ultimately allowed him to power through and secure a commendable third position overall (5 hours, 10 minutes, and 31 seconds).
The Australian triumph did not end there, as Hayden Copping, 24, from Port Macquarie, New South Wales, emerged as the winner in the stock category, with a strong performance that saw him finish ten minutes ahead of New Zealand’s Sam Shergold, 29 (5 hours, 41 minutes, and 16 seconds). Callum Sutton, 22, from Australia, showcased his potential and determination by securing the third position, finishing less than two minutes behind Shergold in his debut crossing of the Ka’iwi Channel (5 hours, 54 minutes, and 1 second).
The 24th Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championship also witnessed remarkable feats from participants across the globe. Pro surfer Luke Shepardson, 28, from Haleiwa, HI, completed his inaugural crossing of the Channel of Bones in an impressive time of 7 hours, 13 minutes, and 25 seconds.
Hawaiʻi’s Matt Sack, a 53-year-old lifeguard, continued his remarkable streak by completing his 24th consecutive race, solidifying his status as an enduring icon in the world of paddleboarding (7 hours, 6 minutes, and 55 seconds).
As the sun set on this unforgettable event, it was evident that M2O had once again elevated the sport of paddleboarding to new heights, celebrating the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and outstanding performances from athletes worldwide.
