The 26th edition of the Moloka’i-2-O’ahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O), presented by the United States Coast Guard, delivered another unforgettable test of endurance across the legendary Kaiwi Channel. Champions were crowned in both prone paddleboard and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) divisions following a grueling 32-mile ocean crossing.
Despite lighter-than-usual winds and intense summer heat, athletes pushed through one of the world’s most challenging open ocean courses—from the island of Moloka’i to O‘ahu. A traditional Hawaiian Pule opened the day, blessing the paddlers and honoring the spirit of the Kaiwi.
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🔹 Prone Paddleboard Champions: Verco and Madill Make History
Charlie Verco of North Bondi, Australia, captured his third consecutive M2O title in the Unlimited Prone division, finishing in 4:59:49. Verco joins legends like Jamie Mitchell and Matt Bevilacqua in the elite ranks of the sport.
California’s Jack Bark followed in second (5:19:37) in his first Unlimited race at M2O, while fellow Aussie Campbell Guthrie completed the podium in 5:33:45. Last year’s stock winner Lachie Lansdown showed promise in his Unlimited debut, finishing just off the podium.
In the Stock Prone Men’s division, Harrison Stone of Australia finally clinched victory in 5:46:24 after multiple past podiums. He was closely followed by rising stars Toa Pere (Hawaii, 5:48:30) and Ethan Storey (New Zealand, 5:31:31)—both just 16 years old.
Katrina Madill of New Zealand dominated the Women’s Stock Prone division, claiming her third consecutive win in 6:19:47. Californians Emily Bark and Liz Hunter followed in 6:58:30 and 7:03:23, respectively.
🔹 Prone Relay: A Family Legacy and Veteran Power
The Stock Paddleboard Relay division saw longtime M2O paddlers Patrick Wong and Bill Taylor take the overall win in 6:17:08. Australians Michael and Ben Kirkby, a father-son team, claimed second overall (6:20:41) while racing in memory of family member and former competitor Tim Kirkby. Longtime racers George Plsek and Roch Frey placed third (6:23:49), representing over 30 combined years of M2O experience.
🔹 SUP Division: Canadian and Hawaiian Athletes on Top
In the Men’s Unlimited SUP, newcomer Tim Oliver from Ontario, Canada, claimed victory in his first Kaiwi Channel crossing, finishing in 5:49:49. Japan’s Hayato Yamamoto followed in 6:23:43, with Honolulu’s James Martindale in third (7:04:48).
Robert Stehlik of Hawaii took top honors in the Stock SUP division, winning in 5:55:30. Impressively, Stehlik also won his age group in the Wing Foil category the weekend prior. He was joined on the podium by Spencer Bailey (Vermont, 6:02:41) and Roland Graham (Hawaii, 6:23:52).
Japan’s Mao Kamimura, a former 2018 M2O Prone Stock champion, returned to win the Female Stock SUP division.
🔹 SUP Relay: Team Spirit Across Borders
The SUP Relay event saw a mixed team of Hawaii locals Jane McKee and Jason Blinkhorn, alongside Canadian newcomer Maddi Leblanc, complete the crossing in 6:28:50, celebrating international camaraderie on the water.