Paddling OC2 in Fuerteventura with Anita and Frank

Plenty of good articles in the latest SUP Magazine, available in newspaper agencies in France

4h56mn is the time it took me to cross the Kawa’i Channel between Molokai and Oahu during the Molokai2Oahu race…

I’ve been very lucky to be coached by Ekolu Kalama, Jerome and Choppie during the days before the race as well as during the race ; Aldo Tassara (look for Pure Digital Maui in Facebook) also followed us during all my trip and made beautiful pictures and video.

I’m now back in Fuerteventura, happy as I’ve just made a dream become reality, the Molokai2Oahu is THE Race I really wanted to do… And happy because I’ve done a good time, finishing 6th in SUP solo and in less than 5hours which is pretty awesome for a 1st crossing !

I wish I’ve had more time to train specificaly for this race as well as more time to train on the same board as I was going to use… I hope I can organise myself better next year…

2 days to go before the Molokai2Oahu race…

Today is my last day of training, I’ve spent all week with Ekolu Kalama and his family, they taught precious things about paddling technique, paddling culture and hawaiian culture, we’ve been doing SUP, Outtrigger canoe and surf.

Conditions here are similar to what we can find in some places of the Canary Islands and even better, water is “tropical warm”, wind orientation is perfect for downwinds, food is good, this is a dream place for any paddler !

16 days before the race… Everything seems to be ready… Soon I will be flying to Hawaii for the 2nd time of the year (1rst time was for the Battle of Paddle in Oahu) to take part in the legendary race : The Molokai to Oahu , a 32 miles open ocean crossing from Molokai to Oahu.

Molokai 2 Oahu – July 31 2011 from Soul Surf Media on Vimeo.

I will try to write updates on this blog as often as possible during this trip, taking part in this race is a massive adventure, not only it is very expensive but it is also a lot of logistics, compared to that going to the Battle of Paddle Fort de Russy was easy … Many people say the easiest part is the actual race… I’d love to believe it though, as paddling in rough water for 5hours doesn’t sound easy to me !

I really want to thank Robert, Donald and all the Etienne family, all my family, Ekolu Kalama and his family, Fernando Labad and all my sponsors (Nidecker, Kialoa, Rip Curl, FCS) to make this adventure possible.

Vote for me or for others, you decide who’s the SUP Connect SUP man of the year !

http://supconnect.mylocallineup.com/SUP-Men/

Thanks to the “W Bros”, sunshort.com and Kialoa I am one of the lucky owners of the new Kialoa Toro , the new race paddle from Kialoa.

I am using Kialoa paddles since 2009 and I just love them, thinking about a new model was very exciting but I was afraid that it would just feel too different from what I am used to.

And there was nothing to worry about, I got used to it as soon as I touched it, it just feels like the others Kialoa… With a little something that makes it better and more efficient for racing : I feel that the blade is lot more stable in the water and even when my strokes aren’t perfect the blade isn’t loosing grip.

I’ve won all of last week’s Golden Island races with it, and I hope I will win many other races with this new weapon !

I found a video of my brother and I 18 years ago Bodyboarding at the Reunion Island (I was 11yo he was 13…)…
no time to upload the video, but here’s a couple of screen captures…

Funny thing is that I can remember some waves as if it was yesterday, like this one for exemple …