HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi’s Kaiwi Channel is ready for takeoff. This Sunday, July 20, the Molokaʻi to Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O) launches the eFoil division across the 32-mile stretch of open ocean. It’s fast. It’s technical, and it’s the only race of its kind in the world.
“This weekend coming up on the 20th is actually going to be 100% eFoil only,” said Brent Imonen, spokesperson for the M2O.
Imonen said the eFoil race has only been around for five years. “Our event started as a prone and a stand-up; and then, five years ago, we added the eFoil division,” he said.
The growth of the sport made it impossible to keep all the racing in a single weekend. “In the last two years, it’s been so popular that we’ve separated the two into two separate weekends,” said Imonen.
A course like no other
From the starting line on Molokaʻi to the finish at Kaimana Beach, the Kaiwi Channel delivers strong winds, open-ocean swells and remote conditions as athletes race the clock and the channel.
“We’ll start at 11 a.m. this Sunday, and we’ll have the first finishers by 1:30,” Imonen said. “People are just going faster and faster.”
The eFoil race also closes out the Koa Kai Crown, a top-level series that celebrates the most versatile ocean athletes.
“It’s an incredible channel. It’s an incredible opportunity to show one’s waterman abilities,” said Imonen. “The challenges are there, whether you’re a swimmer, doing the channel as a swimmer, as a paddler or now eFoiling.”
Catch it if you can
The eFoil race is hard to follow but worth the effort. There are a few places where fans can see athletes skim across the surface.
“You can catch it, you know, like Portlock and then Diamond Head and then the finish line’s at the Kaimana Beach,” Imonen said. “There’s various touch points where you can see it, but it’s quick; and you’ve got to be paying attention and or be able to drive to get where you want to go.”
Racers finish just outside the channel at the finish line between two buoys. “The hope is that, you know, everybody gets there nice and safe and has a really good time,” said Imonen.
A full month of racing
The foil race on July 20 kicks off two straight weekends of competition. On July 27, the prone and stand-up paddle divisions take their turn. Both weekends are part of a full downwind race season that includes the Virtual Paddle and multiple events across Hawaiʻi.
Athletes from around the world will compete. Start lists are posted online. Every 2024 World Champion is returning to defend their title.
You can click here to read more about the competition.
“It started off as one large weekend with prone and stand-ups,” added Imonen. “Over the years, it’s grown into foil as well. And now we’re at two weekends, celebrating both divisions separately.”