Moloka’i Hoe World Championship, Sunday, October 12
Get ready for the Moloka’i Hoe, one of the world’s most prestigious outrigger events. It unifies Hawaiian and Tahitian traditions while hosting paddlers from around the world. It is the ultimate test of elite ocean racing—and a great place to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow paddlers! (Recap of Molokai Hoe 2024)
This race is also R-rated—Restricted to the world’s very best paddlers—with good reason. The Moloka’i Hoe spans roughly 40 miles across the treacherous Ka’iwi Channel, from Moloka’i to Waikiki Beach on Oahu. With its powerful currents and shifting winds, it tests the limits of physical and mental strength, endurance, courage, and teamwork. It can take 5 to 8 hours, depending on the weather, currents, and the paddlers themselves.
“Over the last 70 plus years, the crossing of the Ka‘iwi Channel has become the cornerstone of achievement in the Va‘a community,” said Luana Froiseth, race director of the club sponsor, the Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA). It unites paddlers from Hawai‘i, Tahiti, the mainland U.S., Japan, Australia, and other Pacific nations—more than 1,000 paddlers total.
Champions and Challengers
Shell Va’a won the 2024 Moloka’i Hoe—their third straight title and 13th overall victory since 2006—out-performing 75 other crews in a blistering 4 hours and 35 minutes. But they will face stiff challenge this year, especially from Tahiti’s Team OPT, which is challenging the dominance of Shell Va’a in this sport.
ARE Tahiti is proud to support the sport of Va’a and the Tahitians in this race, as part of its ongoing commitment to help grow this exhilarating sport. ARE also has a team in the race, ready to tackle the shifting winds and ever-changing currents in this grueling channel crossing.
Come join us and enjoy all the race festivities. For more information, please email info@molokaihoe.com. Or visit www.aretahiti.com to learn more about ARE TAHITI canoes. Or see what’s available at ShopOutrigger.com, your ultimate destination for everything a paddler might need, including canoes, clothing, and accessories.
