First Québécois at Molokai 2 Oahu

The Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Race is a SUP competition connecting two Hawaiian islands. Our ambassador, Vincent Dion, was the first Québécois to take part in this 51 km race. On the menu: destabilizing winds, overwhelming waves, muscle fatigue — and sharks, literally. In short, the most demanding race in the world.

Vincent competed in 2018 and 2019 and shares how he experienced this incredible challenge.

PREPARATION

With the help and encouragement of my Hawaiian friend, Trey, I decided to register for the M2O World Championships. Of course, there’s extensive preparation required before race day. Two weeks before the event, I trained in the waves of the Pacific Ocean, right there in Hawaii. More specifically, I started my training at China Walls and paddled all the way to the Ocean Canoe Club.

After that, I flew to the island of Molokai. I stayed there for three days to recharge and rest, focusing all my energy on the upcoming competition.

THE COMPETITION

On the morning of the race, all participants — including my friend Trey, who was also competing — gathered for a prayer. According to Hawaiian tradition, this prayer is meant to unite us with the spirit of the ocean, asking for protection throughout the crossing.

The race begins at 8 a.m., and every participant must have an escort boat following them throughout the course. This is mandatory, in case of any obstacles such as weakness, sharks, bad weather, injuries, and more. In 2018, my sister accompanied me on the boat. She constantly encouraged me to push beyond my limits because once you’re in the middle of the ocean, you truly feel alone in the world. Between the islands of Molokai and Oahu, the waves can be extremely high — that’s when you truly feel the depth and power of the ocean.

THE CROSSING

About halfway through the course, I had to change my hydration pack. Refueling is strictly regulated: we must stay five meters away from the boat without touching it, and a crew member has to jump into the water to bring us the replacement pack.

I continued without stopping until the very end. The final stretch is especially difficult — you feel like you’re almost there, but there’s still a significant distance to cover. My sister kept cheering me on during the last 8 km. The closer you get to the island, the stronger the wind becomes, pushing you in every possible direction.

Sharp pains started shooting through my knees from the pressure and constant adjustments against the wind. Near the finish area, I saw my friend and my family cheering me on. Their voices joined my inner voice, the one that refused to let me give up. That combination helped me stay positive and find the energy I needed to finish the race.

When I finally crossed the finish line and touched solid ground, everything happened at once: I received my medal, and my family and friends came to congratulate me. My knees were throbbing, and I was completely exhausted. I dropped to a crouch on the ground. That’s when my sister told me something rather unsettling: two sharks had been following me during the race.

To learn more about Vincent, we invite you to visit his ambassador page, where you’ll also find links to his Facebook and Instagram accounts.