Paddle IMUA 2026: Maui’s Legendary Charity Downwind Race

Paddle IMUA Returns to Maui for Another Celebration of Ocean Sports and Community

One of Hawaii’s most iconic ocean sporting events is set to return this weekend as Paddle IMUA 2026 welcomes more than 450 competitors to Maui’s famous North Shore. Taking place on July 12, the annual charity race combines world-class downwind racing with a mission that has made it one of the most meaningful events in paddlesports: supporting Camp Imua and children with special needs.

Originally launched in 2011 as a grassroots stand-up paddle race, Paddle IMUA has grown into one of the premier downwind events in the world while remaining firmly rooted in community, inclusion and giving back.

From SUP Race to Multi-Discipline Festival

What started as a single SUP race now features multiple ocean disciplines including:

• SUP Foiling
• Wing Foiling
• Traditional SUP
• Outrigger Canoes
• Kiting
• Parawing (new for 2026)

The addition of a Parawing division reflects the rapid evolution of ocean sports on Maui, where new disciplines are often embraced before they appear anywhere else.

The Legendary Maliko Run

Competitors will once again race the world-famous Maliko Run, paddling from Maliko Gulch to Kanaha Beach Park.

The approximately nine-mile downwind course is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern downwind SUP racing. Powered by Maui’s consistent trade winds, the Maliko Run has challenged generations of paddlers and, more recently, has become the proving ground for the explosive growth of downwind foiling.

At the Stand Up Magazin, we have followed the evolution of this race for well over a decade. From the early years when hundreds of stand-up paddlers traveled to Maui to race traditional SUP boards, to today’s foil-dominated era, Paddle IMUA has mirrored the transformation of the sport itself. Recent editions have seen SUP Foiling become the largest division, with more than 130 competitors lining up on the starting line.

Racing for a Greater Purpose

While the athletic performances attract international attention, the heart of Paddle IMUA remains its charitable mission.

Every competitor helps raise funds for Camp Imua, a long-running Maui program serving children with special needs.

One of the event’s most emotional traditions takes place at the finish line. After completing the demanding ocean crossing, each athlete is welcomed ashore with a traditional Hawaiian lei presented by a Camp Imua child—a simple gesture that reminds competitors why the event exists.

The finish area at Kanaha Beach Park transforms into the Ohana Festival, where nearly 1,000 family members, volunteers and supporters celebrate not only the athletes but also the children and families benefiting from the fundraiser.

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A Global Gathering Before the Channel Crossings

Paddle IMUA has become far more than a local fundraiser. Today it serves as one of the premier warm-up events ahead of the famous Maui2Molokai (M2M) and Molokai2Oahu (M2O) channel crossings.

Many of the world’s fastest downwind athletes now arrive on Maui weeks before the major channel races, making Paddle IMUA an important opportunity to test equipment, evaluate race form and experience one of the sport’s most famous downwind runs.

Volunteers Continue to Play a Vital Role

With hundreds of competitors finishing within a relatively short period, organizers continue to rely heavily on volunteers.

One of the biggest needs remains board marshals, who help organize boards and equipment at Kanaha Beach Park while keeping the busy finish area safe and efficient.

Stand Up Magazin Perspective

Few events represent the spirit of ocean paddling quite like Paddle IMUA.

While many races focus solely on elite competition, Paddle IMUA continues to demonstrate that world-class racing and community fundraising can successfully exist side by side. It has evolved from a small Maui SUP race into one of the defining events of the international downwind calendar without losing the values that inspired its creation.

The introduction of a Parawing division is another sign of how quickly ocean sports continue to evolve. As Maui remains the birthplace of many new trends in foiling and downwind racing, Paddle IMUA once again serves as both a celebration of innovation and a reminder that the strongest events are often those built around community rather than prize money.

With the Koa Kai Triple Crown continuing to grow in importance and the M2M and M2O channel crossings just around the corner, Paddle IMUA once again marks the unofficial start of Hawaii’s annual downwind racing season.

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