Paddler Race Memo

Aloha paddlers of the 2023 SHAW AND PARTNERS MOLOKAI CHALLENGE,

This email will give you the information you need for the race, in lieu of an in person briefing. Read through it and ask any questions you have at packet pick up tomorrow night, email or call us at the numbers and address at the end of this message.

WE HAVE ONLY RECEIVED HALF OF THE ESCORT WAIVER FORMS. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THEM, DO IT NOW! You won’t receive your race packet without the escort information.

Download the form at:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/pse_live/Kanaka%20Ikaika/Molokai%20Challenge/Escort%20Boat%20Waiver%20Form.pdf

Then email it to joellefoti@gmail.com

PRE-RACE PACKET PICK UP

Thursday May 25 from 5:00pm-7:00pm is race packet pick up at Kona Brewing Co’s Koko Brew Pub in Koko Marina Center, Hawaii Kai. If you can’t make it to this event, please arrange for someone to pick up your packet.  But if you can’t arrange anyone to pick up your packet on the 25^th, we’ll bring the essentials only to Molokai (race number if you need, race band and race shirt), and you can pick it up in Kaluakoi on Sat May 27 or Sunday morning the 28th.  Look for Jim Foti:  808 927-0711

RACE NUMBER DECALS

If you already have a yellow and black 2023 race decal on your craft from this year, that will be your race number. If you do not have the yellow and black 2023 Kanaka Ikaika race number, you will be assigned one at the check in on Thursday night at Kona Brew Pub. Place decal on both left and right sides on the front your craft.  There is no number for your escort boat.

MOLOKAI PROTOCOL & GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY

1. Observe a no wake (less than 5 mph) speed within 500 yards of any shoreline. There have been several instances of speeding escort boats almost hitting divers.
2. No fishing of any type within 500 yards of shore.
3. No Opihi picking.
4. No harvesting of lobster, it is out of season from May to August. This is a disqualification offense for your paddler.
5. No camping on private property or non-designated camping areas, including Make Horse Beach. The Molokai Police Department will be sending officers to cite unpermitted camping. 
6. Please pick up your trash.  It would be a great gesture of good will if you could leave Molokai cleaner than when you got there.
7. THERE WILL BE NO CAMPING on the beach or on the old hotel property. PLEASE respect this requirement from the hotel property and RESPECT all public access to the beach.
8. The Shoreline area will be patrolled 24/7. Any escort boats not in compliance with the rules above will be recorded and will be marked for all future events that start or finish in Molokai. All Molokai event organizers have agreed to abide by the rules and ban any captains and their boats that do not respect the local protocol. Please kokua!
9. SUMMARY = RESPECT MOLOKAI

SUNDAY MORNING TIMELINE

There will be a pule at 9:00 a.m.

There are 3 start times: 9:30, 10:00 and 10:30. When you check in, please verify we have you assigned to the correct start time. If you want to change your start time, you must clear this at the packet pick up.

If you are a solo paddler you must check in with the race director Jim Foti on Sunday morning to get your tracking device. 

THE START

The start is off Kepuhi beach fronting Kaluakoi Resort, between  2 yellow Maui Jim buoys. All escort boats must stay TO THE LEEWARD SIDE of the start line.

START: The Starter Official Boat will move out to the front of the starting line.

YELLOW FLAG = hold position and BE READY FOR THE START

RED FLAG FOLLOWED BY THE GREEN FLAG + HORN = START! 

After the Start – Do NOT approach your paddler until given permission by the Head Official Boat on the VHF Radio Ch.72, approximately 20 – 30 min. Please be considerate of the paddlers.

RULES ON THE COURSE

• You will be issued a race shirt which you must wear while racing. If you are racing solo without an escort; you must have a pdf, a leash, a VHF radio so you can call for help if needed, the tracking device issued by the race management team and your emergency contact tracking you with an app that you have downloaded to your cellphone (app of your choice).
• If you are racing relay and you are using two different surfskis, the surfski paddler waiting to paddle must be facing towards Molokai and cannot start turning towards Oahu until his/her partner has passed you.
• Your escort must not provide wake for you to surf. Escort must stay behind you or well away.
• Your escort must be respectful of other paddlers on the course. No waking!

CHECK IN

Check in will be done by radio before the race with the head race official, LJ Benson, on VHF Radio Ch. 72. This includes those who are paddling without an escort. Failure to race without checking in will result in disqualification, as we will assume that you are not on the course.

If you do not start for any reason, you must also notify the Head Official.

HEAD OFFICIAL: LJ Benson  808-306-4121

CHECK OUT

Check out with Official Boat, Manoa Buckman, at China Walls on Ch.72.

RACE COURSE

Start off Kepuhi Beach at Kaluakoi Resort to Maunalua Bay Beach Park – Keyhole, Hawaii Kai, approximately 32 miles.  Paddlers will determine their own routes.  However, please be aware of reefs and cliffs off Portlock Point.  Depending on the size of the swell, this area can be very dangerous.  Escort boats, please inform the Head Official Boat of any problems encountered during the race.

ACA INSURANCE WAIVER

If you have not yet signed the online waiver, please click the following link and follow the prompts:

• Adult and/or Minor Waiver- https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/e/CYH93Hs9o9XbtbXoZZAPX5/j

THE FINISH LINE

The finish of the race will be between 2 yellow Maui Jim buoys at Maunalua Bay Beach Park, Hawaii Kai, at the Keyhole on north side of the bridge.

PARKING

There will be parking in the Maunalua Bay Beach Park parking lot. Do NOT park in trailer parking stalls or you may be towed or ticketed.

ESCORT BOAT INFORMATION

IF WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR ESCORT BOAT WAIVER FORM, HAVE YOUR CAPTAIN DO IT NOW! We will not check you in without this information. Find the information link:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/pse_live/Kanaka%20Ikaika/Molokai%20Challenge/Escort%20Boat%20Waiver%20Form.pdf

Then email it to joellefoti@gmail.com

HEAD OFFICIAL BOAT:

Captain Fritz King –  (808)291-1147

All escort boats must meet current United States Coast Guard standards as defined by the USCG.

• All escort boats must have ship to ship radios (VHF). Marine Band two-way radio MUST BE MOUNTED on boat per Coast Guard regulations.
• Escort boats must assist any paddler or boat in distress, even if not their paddler.
• Check In before the race with Head Official Boat on VHF Radio Ch. 72. Failure to check-in will result in disqualification.
• Check out with Head Official Boat at China Walls on Ch.72.
• Escort boats must have a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) aboard that is specifically designated for their paddler.
• All escort boats TO THE LEEWARD SIDE of the start line.
• After the Start – Do NOT approach your paddler until given permission by the Head Official Boat on the VHF Radio Ch.72. Please be considerate of the paddlers.
• Rescue Reference Point – Hawaii Kai #1 Day Marker:

Lat. – 21* 16’14.0 N     Long. – 157* 42’56.8 W

ALL BOATS SHOULD HAVE THIS WAYPOINT ENTERED IN THEIR GPS.

OFFICIAL BOATS:

AFTER THE RACE

Following the race, there will be a light lunch and refreshments for the paddlers at the at the beach park provided by Kona Brew Pub. You must have the wristband issued at packet pick up to eat.  You will need the wristband to eat at the awards banquet as well.

The RACE ONE Awards Banquet location has changed to the HAWAII YACHT CLUB at 1739 Ala Moana Blvd.  see www.hawaiiyachtclub.org. Doors open at 6:00pm and dinner buffet opens at 7:00 pm. Awards will follow at approximately 8:00pm. Guests are welcome to come at no charge, but if your guests would like to eat, you may buy additional meals for family and friends for $40.00 Tomorrow night.  You cannot buy a meal ticket on Sunday.  There will be a No host bar with Kona beer on special.

QUESTIONS?