'Molo Solo'

Out of the 86 paddlers who entered the Steinlager Kaiwi Channel Solo OC1 World Championship, Danny Ching from California was the first to finish in 3:38:51, just seconds shy of setting a new course record. He was also the first paddler not from Hawaii to win this race. Jimmy Austin was second just half-a-minute behind Danny followed by Pa'a Race organizer Manny Kulukulualani.
"It was nuts," said Danny. "The whole time it was me, Manny and Jimmy battling." Then at mid-channel, a rogue wave appeared; Danny flew the ama, Manny went sideways and Jimmy went canoe over ama. That left Manny and Danny to fight it out, and Danny edged out in front. "I got a nice little gap," said Danny, "then Jimmy came up on me at the end and almost caught me, but after last year when Kai passed me at the end, I said, 'that ain't gonna happen twice.'" Instead of going for the record, he just wanted to cover Jimmy.
Jimmy confirmed his 'yard sale' in mid-channel, "I wiped out on a big wave, right in front of Danny and was chasing him for the rest of the day. At the wall, I had a Red Bull and it 'gave me some wings' and I caught him at Portlock, but he was too strong," said Jimmy, "and he pulled away."
All top three had something in common, apart from all paddling a Pueo — it was Johnny Puakea's influence.
"I helped Jimmy with his training program and Manny trains with him," said Johnny, "and I helped Danny during the race." Johnny was in Danny's escort boat helping him find the fastest route across the Kaiwi Channel. "Basically the plan was to go point to point, run the bump into the island and don't head for Waikiki. A lot of the time when you go right, you're going faster than if you just went down the wave."
Making a surprise showing after injuring his back snowboarding earlier this year, Kai Bartlett showed up at the finish on his Scorpius XM. For Kai it was a last minute decision to enter because he hadn't trained for it. "I didn't want to watch a windy channel, I wanted to paddle in it even if I wasn't ready." Kai said his race started off easy catching bumps and trying to relax. "Then two-and-a-half hours into the race, I saw Danny's escort boat… but because I wasn't in shape, I couldn't push, so I kept surfing." Kai finished fourth in 3:44:38.
Rounding out the top ten were Simeon Ke-Paloma, Aaron Creps, Thibert Lussiaa, Ka'eo'okalani Abbey, Mike Murry from Australia, and Kea Paiaina.
Aaron Napoleon who was 11th overall won the 40-49. "It was a little technical," said Aaron. "You had to slide-ride the waves sideways."
Other top finishers were Kekoa Kau who won the Juniors (4:11:42) placing 37th overall. Bruce Lukas took the 50-59 (4:36:03) and the 'Lone Ranger' Roger Dunn just had to finish to win the 60-plus. He crossed the line in 5:26:38.
Lauren Bartlett won the open women in 4:13:43 followed by Andrea Moller, 4:23:20, and Jane Mckee, 4:34:24. Jane had never done the solo before. "It always seemed so far, and this race was a goal I wanted to do." Jane then told her rogue wave experience. "I got on this one wave, and thought I had it, but I ended up being bucked off. Glad I didn't break my boat," she laughed. Arlene Holzman won her 40-plus division in 4:42:35.
There were three OC2 mixed teams who entered. Laola and Kamu Aea from Kauai took first place honors in 3:39:43. There was only one OC2 men's team with a F-15 fighter pilot out of Hickam, Matt Beals and his partner John Maclean who is a paraplegic. "I did this race five years ago on a double surf ski," said John,"and I wanted another challenge." They finished in 4:29:49. Matt who is a Lieutenant Colonel said that some people say that paddling must seem boring to him because he flies at 2,000 mph, 'So how's it exciting going 10-12 mph down a wave?' "It's all perspective," Matt said.