3 Days till Molokai Surf Ski Race

As I write this blog from the Outrigger Canoe Club the wind is blowing a steady 24 Knots. The last 2 paddles have not been nearly as good as it is blowing now.

Yesterday we did a Makapuu to Hawaii Kai (The finish of the race) paddle. The wind has gone back to trades but was only blowing about 8 knots and there was no swell in sight. We had a crew of 10 paddlers all on Epic V10s and one lonely other make. We paddled out for 30 minutes into the Kawai Channel and then headed down wind. I  set the boys off in handicap. The slowest going 1^st. The 1^st group was Joe Glickman, John Dixon one of the V10 designers, Kenny Howell, from one of our best dealers California Canoe & Kayak—all on V10 Sports, and then John Dingle and Rene Appel from Hong Kong on V10s. Next to go was Craig Treacher (Aus)  and Rob Wall (Hong Kong) V10 and then Ken Collins (South Africa) V10L, then last but not least Clint Pretorius and myself.  My handicapping was very good with most of the guys coming in very close together. 1^st was Rene the Joe then Clint. The most impressive thing was that the V10 Sports were going very fast with John Dixon and Kenny averaging about 8 miles per hour for the 30 minute run.

Today at close to race time 8.00am we went out and back along the wall at Kokohead and Hawaii Kai China Wall. This was to check out the reef and how to finish on Sunday. Tonight is race briefing and tying skis onto escort boats to take them to Molokai. Winds are predicted to be about 20 knots and swell and 9 feet for Sunday.

After tonight’s pre race briefing I will know who all the opposition is and what up I am up against.