Sunday, July 30, 2006

CHRIS OWENS CONNECTS THE ISLANDS BY PADDLEBOARD

Epic journey ends with a father-son paddle across the Kaiwi Channel

Maunalua Bay, Oahu, July 30, 2006­—O‘ahu paddleboarder Chris Owens successfully completed his mission to cross all the channels between the major Hawaiian islands today as he and his 13-year-old son C.J. paddled as a team in the 10th annual Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race. With 10- to 15-mile per hour winds out of the east-northeast, Chris and CJ finished the prestigious 32-mile paddleboard race in 2- to 4- foot seas in 6 hours and 47 minutes, placing fourth in their division.

“I had a super hard time because I’m used to knee paddling,” said Chris, who switched to a stockboard for the race. “On that board I could not get up on my knees at all so I had to prone paddle the whole way, and my neck isn’t really used to it anymore… CJ did awesome. He saved me.”

“It was super-tough,” said CJ, who said the hardest part was maintaining energy. “I was thinking about the finish line.”

CJ said his father kept encouraging him all the way. “He just told me, ‘Keep on going Look at the island it’s so close.’ He gave me a lot of support and everything.”

Chris was happy to do his 8th Molokai race with his son. “It was a really proud thing for me. We got going and my son’s right behind me, and we’re heading across the channel.”

The other stages of Owens’ epic journey included:
July 16 Upolu Point, Big Island to La Perouse, Maui

50 miles, 9 hr, 45 min

July 19 Honolua Bay, Maui to Shipwrecks, Lanai

18.5 miles, 3 hr, 2 min

July 25 Honolua Bay, Maui to Wailua, Molokai

8.5 miles, 2 hr, 30 min

July 30 Kaluakoi Resort to Maunalua Bay, Oahu

32 miles, 6 hr, 47 min

While on Maui, Chris and CJ both paddled in the 9-mile race from Maliko Gulch to Kahului on July 23, a warm-up for their run across the Pailolo Channel to get to Moloka‘i on July 25. CJ had never visited Maui or Molokai before, and he was stoked to spend some quality time surfing and fishing with his dad. The journey culminated in the 32 mile trip home. Chris was one of two 13-year-olds—the youngest competitors—to participate in this year’s contest.

Chris Owens is the first person on record to successfully solo paddleboard across the channels that link the major Hawaiian islands. His paddle adventure raised funds for Malama Na Pua Traditional Hawaiian Healing Center. For more information and interviews, contact Brian Emery at (808) 429-2255.

After paddling over 50 miles from the Big Island to la perouse Maui, then paddling 18.5 miles from Honolua Bay Maui to shipwreck beach in Lanai, I was joined by my 13 year old son C.J for the third leg of the trip; Maui to Molokai.  For our warm-up we participated in the Honolua surf co Maui paddle board championships on the 23rd of July.  C.J took second in the 17 and under division and I took 1st in the 40 to 49 unlimited division.  This race was 9.5 miles long from Maliko gulch to Kahalui boat harbor. 

On July 25Th at 1:30 pm C.J and I started our paddle from a small cove on the North tip of Honolua Bay.  This channel known as the Pailolo channel proved to live up to it’s name, which means “slapped-silly”.  With the winds at a northeast direction at 15 knots, I knew we were in for a rough ride.  I wanted to make the paddle as easy as possible for C.J.  That meant doing the shortest course possible which was 8.5 miles.  The first 4 miles we paddled North towards Holawa Pt.  C.J paddled like a bull as we were being broadsided by the 3 to 6 foot open ocean.  I tried to stay right beside my son, however C.J preferred that I paddle in front so he could follow me. 

After about 4 miles C.J began to get frustrated with the conditions. So we both turned downwind to a more westerly direction, that way we could ride some waves to make the crossing funner and easier on him.  C.J was able to switch to knee paddling and started catching some long rides on waves with a huge smile on his face.  C.J switched from knee paddling to prone paddling with the knowledge and confidence of a waterman.  As we approached the 2 mile mark of Molokai, C.J and I hit a terrible current pulling us to the northeast and we got pailolo-ed.  C.J began to fill it by then, but he fought like a champion.  

As we neared the shore at Waialua we got blown past the channel and had to come in through the surf that was still a quarter mile out.  C.J tried to catch a couple of the waves in the break, but instead he got rolled by them.  C.J managed to hang on.  At that point I knew he had to get to the shore right away because after paddling all that way and wiping out, it takes a lot out of you mentally and physically.  So instead of going in were the cameras were, which was to far north down the beach.  I signaled for the camera crew to come to us.

Then C.J and I continued our final strokes to shore.  When C.J finally made it to shore he wasn’t  too happy about getting wiped out in the surf. After he caught his breath and realized what he had just accomplished, a big smile came on C.J face and he raised his arms in victory.  This open ocean paddle that was 8.5 miles took 2.5 hours.  The Maui Paddleboard Championships was 9.5 miles, that took C.J 1 hour 42 minutes.  C.J could be the youngest paddler to solo paddle from one Hawaiian island to another.  We have researched and we have not discovered anyone younger. 

As far as all my paddles that I have done,  this is the greatest paddle so far, because it was important for me to cross the Pailolo channel in my quest to link the Hawaiian Island chain.  This paddle was all about C.J, because he is part of the next generation of watermen and I as his father am very proud.

by Chris Owens

Makena Beach, Maui, July 16, 2006­—O‘ahu paddleboarder Chris Owens arrived at Manawainui, Maui, at 1:19pm, completing the 30-mile journey across the ‘Alenuihähä Channel in 6 hours and 54 minutes.

Owens departed from the Big Island’s ‘Upolu Point shortly after dawn this morning at 6:25am. Rain squalls and winds were blowing out of the east-northeast at 15 to 20 knots, and the ocean swells were a manageable 3 to 4 feet. The conditions were more favorable than Owens had expected as he began his epic paddle across the treacherous ‘Alenuihähä Channel toward Maui.  

Owens departed from the Big Island’s ‘Upolu Point shortly after dawn this morning at 6:25am. Rain squalls and winds were blowing out of the east-northeast at 15 to 20 knots, and the ocean swells were a manageable 3 to 4 feet. The conditions were more favorable than Owens had expected as he began his epic paddle across the treacherous ‘Alenuihähä Channel toward Maui. This is the first leg of Owens’ new mission to become the first person on record to successfully solo paddleboard across the channels that link the major Hawaiian islands. From Maui, he’ll cross to Lana‘i on the 18th. Upon returning to Maui, his 13-year-old son CJ will join him for a local nine-mile paddleboard race, and then they’ll solo-paddle together 15 miles across the Pailolo Channel to Moloka‘i. The adventure culminates in the 32-mile Quiksilver Edition Moloka‘i to O‘ahu paddleboard race on July 30, in which Chris and CJ will compete as a father-son relay team. Proceeds will go to Malama Na Pua Traditional Hawaiian Healing Center. For more information and interviews, contact Brian Emery at (808) 429-2255

Chris Owens,  accompanied by Hawaii Soul Surfing’s Brian Emory, became the first man in 65 years to paddle from Oahu to Kaua’i.

 Full Story at Honolulu Weely