Published July 19, 2011 11:06AM
Former Ironman World Champion, Greg Welch, returns to endurance competition on SUP team.
On Sunday, July 31, 2011, the historic Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championship(M2O), presented by Kona Brewing Co., will begin its 15th annual race with the largest field of competitors in its history. Athletes representing 15 countries will attempt to successfully cross the 32-mile Ka’iwi Channel, also referred to as the Molokai Channel – the fastest vying for the most prestigious title in the sport of paddleboarding.
“We are looking forward to hosting the international field of competitors in Hawaii,” said Rob Farrow, director of operations for the M2O Group. “The increase in participation and the speed in which the race sold out is a positive sign of the health of the sport. We have over 250 participants representing 15 countries who have made a substantial commitment to compete in this race. Similar to the Ironman World Championships or the Triple Crown of Surfing, this event is an outstanding representation of some of the world’s best athletes who come to Hawaii to compete at the highest level of sport.”
One of the new breed of paddlers taking on the challenge is former Ironman Triathlon World Champion, Greg Welch.
“In paddling, this is ‘the race’,” said Welch, who will be taking on the channel for the first time this year as part of a SUP team. “I’ve been waiting, watching and training, I hope this will be the first of many Molokai crossings. I haven’t been this fired up for a race since my peak triathlon days.”
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