Grand Finale of the SUPAM Season

Community Contributed by Clare Seeger Mawae

SUPAM (Stand Up Paddle Association of Molokai) had their grand final of the race series Makani Ikaika O Molokai with Ohana Surf Club’s event Molokai Holokai. The wind blew strong for this amazing 8.5 mile downwinder. Perhaps the best part of this sixth and final race was how the SUPAM racers tested their skills against the off-island contingent and those with the race boards totaling a fleet of 39 contenders.
 
New Molokai champions in the SUPAM race series: Keala Freeman, Jesseca Oswald and Alex Mawae. Freeman shot off the start line in front of the pack doing a very credible time of 1:30.35, and still managed to hold onto his overall series lead. Steve Bloom took the overall race for this final event with a time of 1:26.05, and third overall in the series. Raleigh Poepoe still captured his second place overall despite Jesseca Oswald and Boki Chung making him work for his second place. Jesseca was first woman overall in the series.
 
In the youth division, it was down to Josie and Alex Mawae. Although sitting out Molokai Holokai, Kaydence Oswald still took the overall short course series and 9-year-old Alex Mawae was declared as the overall Molokai Youth Champion for SUP. The Molokai Holokai had bonus points for the youth, giving Alex the opportunity to bypass Kaydence in the final ranking. Alex did a very credible time of 1:38.43 just minutes behind many of the men. Josie Mawae finally raced after a two month time out due to her wrist taking first place in the final event of the series. Josie finished first junior woman in the Molokai Holokai with a time of 1:37.32.
 
Everyone did well and we look forward to another windy series in 2012 with a grand finale in conjunction with the Molokai Holokai. This was the second superb event put on by Ohana Surf Club. Mahalo to the sponsors that helped to make the series happen: Kapualei Ranch, Hotel Molokai, Molokai Outdoors, Molokai Vacation Rentals, Naish Hawaii, Molokai Visitors Association, County of Maui, Rawlins Chevron, and a special mahalo to the Ohana Surf Club for putting on the Molokai Holokai. For more information on Youth in Motion’s Stand Up Paddling program, please contact Clare Seeger Mawae at clare@youthinmotion.org or 336-0946. For 2012, the kids have set their goals high so if any youth wants to join and be part of team Molokai to the outer island events just let us know. Our season will be starting in August, open to everyone on Molokai for both recreation and racing.