Gary Wise to represent YOLO in Molokai Race
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Team YOLO Board to Compete at 12th Annual QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race.
South Walton Fire District Beach Safety Director Gary Wise qualifies as the only waterman from the state of Florida and East Coast to compete in the international paddleboard race.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL (July 16, 2008)-Locally-adopted Australian-born waterman, Gary Wise, South Walton Fire District Beach Safety Director, will compete in the famous 12th Annual QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race on Sunday, July 27, 2008, representing Team YOLO Board. YOLO Board is a hybrid-style stand-up paddle board company based in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla. This will mark Wise"s first time competing in the internationally-celebrated long distance paddleboarding competition known simply as "Molokai."
"I have competed in many races in my day but none compare to the magnitude of Molokai," said Gary Wise, South Walton Beach Safety Division Chief. "Unlike other long-distance paddleboard races, Molokai includes a challenging downwind course that serves as the ultimate endurance test. Most recently having won the masters division in the International Lifesaving World Surfboat Championship - a race which only lasts approximately six minutes - training for a race that lasts seven hours presents a lot of unique challenges."
The legendary race consists of a grueling 32-mile rough water race across the Kaiwi Channel that separates the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu, from Kaluakoi to Koko Head. Competing in the stand-up paddleboard solo rudderless division, Wise is the only male participant in the state of Florida and East Coast that qualified to compete among the roster of over 135 of the world's best men and women paddleboard and stand-up paddler racers. Cynthia Aguilera, a pro lifeguard from Miami Beach Patrol, is the only female participant who qualified from the state of Florida and East Coast.
"We are beyond excited that Gary will be representing Team YOLO Board at this year's Molokai race," said Jeff Archer, co-founder of YOLO Board LLC. "In addition to Gary achieving so much as a celebrated waterman, he also continues to be the driving force behind establishing the life guard safety program in South Walton. We couldn't be more proud to have someone of his caliber representing Team YOLO Board."
According to the Molokai race website, competitors in a variety of classes including unlimited and stock paddleboards, as well as solo and relay stand-up paddling, must fight their way across one of the roughest channel crossings in the Islands, literally surfing their way down consecutive open ocean swells in the attempt to reach Oahu. Once along its rugged coast paddlers are met with capricious head winds and side currents that make the last few miles to Maunalua Bay a grueling test of sheer will and muscle. For serious competitors only, this year's field will include six-time champion Jaime Mitchell, stand-up stand out Bonga Perkins and the 2007 women's unlimited winner Shakira Westdorp from Australia, who just barely touched out rival Kanesa Duncan of Oahu.
Molokai will mark the fourth paddleboard race that Wise has competed in on behalf of Team YOLO Board. Among Wise's numerous accolades he has garnered to date, his most recent wins on behalf of Team YOLO Board included placing first in the:
East Coast 12-mile Paddleboard Championship around Key West, June 2008.
Florida State 7-mile Paddleboard Champion in Cocoa Beach, Fla., March 2008.
East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame Museum 22-mile Waterman Challenge, Stand up Paddleboard division in Cocoa Beach, Fla., October 2007.
To learn more about the 12th Annual QuiksilverEdition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, visit www.quiksilveredition.com/molokai.aspx.
posted by YOLO Board @ 8:11 AM 