Podium finish in Hawaii for McGregor

SOUTH African surfski paddlers dominated the 42nd annual ex-World Championship event, the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge, in Hawaii on Sunday, 28 May.

This race is the world’s oldest, longest and toughest surfski race testing paddler skill, endurance and knowledge of ocean surfing, plus an ability to manoeuvre against unpredictable weather conditions in the Kaiwi Channel, an expanse of ocean between the Hawaiian Islands of Molokai and Oahu which is considered one of the roughest ocean channels in the world when the ocean is ‘angry’.

The race started off the west end of Molokai near Kaluakoi, finishing 53km away in the Marina off Hawaii Kai. With paddlers competing in hot and flat conditions, the race became a real test of physical strength and endurance.

With a very strong race contingent, the 2017 race was brutally tough up front with Sean Rice, Hank McGregor, Cory Hill, Jasper Mocké and Clint Robinson, all gunning for the win.

Seven-time World Champion and three-time Molokai Winner, Hank McGregor, finished second in 3h46m07s. Fellow South African, Sean Rice, finished in first place in 3h43m08s, and Australian paddler, Cory Hill, taking third in 3h46m50s.

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