Ekolu Kalama Wins Major Stand-Up Paddle Race in Germany

Ekolu Kalama wins the both the sprint and distance division races at the Stand-Up Paddle Racing World Cup in Germany amidst 27,000 spectators last weekend. (skip to 1:35 in the video below)

By Todd Yamashita

Molokai boy, Ekolu Kalama made some major waves in the otherwise placid waters of Hamburg, Germany last weekend. Kalama won both the 200 meter sprint and the 10,000 meter (roughly four miles) distance race in the first ever Standup Paddling World Cup.

With over 27,000 fans and 143 competitors, Kalama represented Molokai and Hawaii well in one of the fastest growing sports world wide. “It was really good and rewarding – but also tiring. There was stiff competition,” said Kalama in a televised interview.

Sponsored by Starboard, a stand up board and windsurfing manufacturer, Kalama is currently training for the Rainbow Sandals Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race. In last year’s Molokai Channel race, Kalama took first in the open relay division paired with his cousin Dave Kalama. With a $3000 first place prize this year, the cousins will be competing against each other alongside last year’s open solo winner Duane DeSoto. The race is scheduled for Sunday, July 26 at Kaluakoi Beach, west Molokai.