Course Record 2026 Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championships

Just one week after the Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu SUP Foil World Championships produced one of the slowest crossings in recent memory due to unusually light winds, the Kaiwi Channel revealed its completely different side.

Zane Saenz crossing the Kaiwi Channel at its absolute best.

With winning times of 5:18:30 for Japan’s Hayato Yamamoto and 5:26:37 for Hawaiʻi’s Zane Saenz, the 2026 Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships brought the Kaiwi Channel back to the kind of pace seen during the sport’s golden pre-COVID years. Their performances would have been competitive in virtually any edition of the race over the past two decades.

Beyond the finishing times, their crossings are a reminder that the challenge of paddling the Kaiwi Channel solo has lost none of its prestige. In an era where foils dominate headlines, athletes continue to take on one of the world’s most demanding open-ocean crossings armed with nothing more than a paddle, a board, and their ability to read the ocean. Completing the crossing remains an achievement few will ever experience, and the memories forged on a day like this will last a lifetime.

The News

For the 2026 Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O), athletes were greeted by strong trade winds, favorable currents, and an incoming afternoon tide that combined to create one of the fastest race days in the event’s history. The dramatic turnaround highlighted just how unpredictable the legendary 32-mile crossing can be. While foil competitors struggled to stay flying across the channel only days earlier, paddleboard athletes were rewarded with classic Hawaiian downwind conditions that produced record-breaking performances and personal bests across nearly every division.

Charlie Verco Rewrites the Record Books

Australia’s Charlie Verco produced one of the greatest performances in M2O history, crossing the Kaiwi Channel in 4:18:03 to establish a new Unlimited Paddleboard course record. He erased the previous mark of 4:20:50, set by fellow Australian Matt Bevilacqua in 2019, while securing his fourth consecutive Molokai-2-Oahu title.

Australia dominated the Unlimited division, with Lewis Betts taking second in 5:06:58 and Harry Hickey completing an Australian sweep of the podium in 5:41:01.

“It was such a great day out there,” Verco said after the finish. “I had to trust the plan and really focus on connecting the bumps. The channel delivered so many different variables today and staying present and patient defined my race.”

Verco arrived in Hawaiʻi carrying momentum beyond the sport itself. Earlier this summer he gained international recognition after helping rescue a woman during a shark attack while training in Australia. His courageous actions, combined with this record-breaking victory, further cement his reputation as one of paddleboarding’s most respected ambassadors.

Mike Takahashi: “This Is What the Kaiwi Channel Can Offer”

The race began with a traditional Hawaiian Pule, honoring the history and cultural significance of the Molokaʻi-to-Oʻahu crossing.

After successfully navigating Hurricane Fausta during race week, organizers were rewarded with outstanding conditions across the Kaiwi Channel.

Race founder and newly inducted 2026 M2O Hall of Fame member Mike Takahashi said:

“We have not seen favorable wind, current and tides for a long time. It was great to see the next generation test themselves in great conditions and really experience what the channel can offer on any given day.”

Kanesa Seraphin-Duncan Claims Historic Ninth Title

The women’s Unlimited Paddleboard race also produced history.

Already an eight-time M2O champion, Kanesa Seraphin-Duncan returned to celebrate her 50th birthday by capturing a record-setting ninth Molokai-2-Oahu championship.

She crossed the finish line in 5:40:13, the fastest race of her remarkable career and an incredible fourth overall among every competitor in the event.

Australia’s Lia Trebilcock finished second in 7:55:22.

Harrison Stone Defends Stock Title in Sprint Finish

The Men’s Stock Paddleboard race delivered one of the day’s closest battles.

Australian Harrison Stone successfully defended his title in 5:03:11, narrowly beating 17-year-old Toa Pere, who crossed just 19 seconds later in 5:03:30.

Another talented New Zealander, Ethan Story, completed the podium in 5:09:07.

All three paddlers finished inside the overall top ten while improving their performances by nearly 40 minutes compared to last year’s race.

In the Women’s Stock division, Allison Schillinger earned her first M2O title in 6:00:56, ahead of Australia’s Jazmin Graham (6:15:52) and Californian Liz Hunter (6:18:37).

New 14-Foot Division Makes Successful Debut

The inaugural 14-foot Paddleboard Class proved to be a successful addition to the event.

Former four-time Stock champion Stewart McLachlan claimed the first-ever title in 4:42:06, finishing second overall behind Verco.

Hawaiian Steve Shlens finished second in 5:36:30, followed by Californian Sean Jasso in 6:06:42.

Hayato Yamamoto Wins SUP Unlimited

One of the closest finishes at Magic Island came in the SUP Unlimited division.

Japan’s Hayato Yamamoto earned his first M2O title after holding off Hawaiʻi’s Zane Saenz throughout the crossing.

SUP Unlimited

Hayato Yamamoto (Japan) – 5:18:30
Zane Saenz (Hawaiʻi) – 5:26:37
James Martindale (Hawaiʻi) – 6:15:40

In SUP Stock, Hawaiʻi’s Robert Stehlik continued his dominance by capturing his third championship.

SUP Stock

Robert Stehlik (Hawaiʻi) – 5:33:06
Roland Graham (Hawaiʻi) – 5:50:40

Prone Paddleboard Age Group Winners

Unlimited

Men 20–29: Cade Bruno (USA) – 6:04:04
Men 30–39: Brent White (USA) – 5:51:25
Men 50+: Christopher Russell (USA) – 5:51:59

Stock

Women 40+: DJ Wilson (USA)
Men Under 19: Lucas Forbes (New Zealand) – 5:20:52
Men 20–29: Callum Sutton (Australia) – 5:27:23
Men 30–39: Pierre Lopez (French Polynesia) – 6:10:01
Men 40–49: Gary Gee (Australia) – 5:51:53
Men 50–59: Matthew Sack (Hawaiʻi) – 6:13:51
Men 60+: Billy Balding (Hawaiʻi) – 6:31:52

Relay Winners

Prone Paddleboard Relays

2-Person

Men 79 & Under: Max Miller / Kobe Sims (Australia) – 5:15:41
Men 80–99: Damien Andrew / Patrick Ryan (Australia) – 6:41:23
Men 100+: Bill Taylor / Patrick Wong (USA) – 5:44:18
Mixed: Maile Gaarder-Feingold / Garret Cleary (USA) – 6:09:05
Women: Christina Boring / Stockamp (USA) – 6:45:59

3-Person

Men: Blair Thorndike / Zadoc Brown / Phil Gregory (USA & Australia) – 6:46:23
Mixed: Courtney, Austin and Lucy Sutherland (Australia) – 6:39:46

SUP Relays

Men: Kekoa Kekumano / Alex Friedman (USA) – 5:56:25
Mixed: Jason Blinkhorn / Madeline Leblanc (Canada) – 6:06:59

Two Races, Two Completely Different Kaiwi Channels

The contrast between the two world championship events could hardly have been greater.

Only a week earlier, the Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu SUP Foil World Championships were contested in unusually light winds that produced one of the slowest foil crossings in recent memory. Many competitors struggled to stay on foil, and finishing times were well outside record pace.

Seven days later, the Kaiwi Channel delivered exactly what downwind paddlers dream about. Strong trades, organized swell, favorable currents and an incoming tide created one of the fastest editions of the Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships ever held. Charlie Verco’s record-breaking run, Kanesa Seraphin-Duncan’s historic ninth title, and countless personal bests across the field demonstrated just how dramatically the Kaiwi Channel can change from one week to the next. It was a fitting reminder that Hawaii’s most iconic channel crossing remains as unpredictable—and as spectacular—as ever.