Quickblade dominates Molokai to Oahu SUP race

Athletes from Team Quickblade swept the field in Sunday’s 2014 Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race when the top six finishers in the men’s Unlimited Class each crossed the finish line of the epic 32 mile long race. Conner Baxter edged out defending 2013 champion Travis Grant to reclaim the crown at stand up paddling’s most prestigious race. In order of finish, the top six men’s Unlimited Class competitors were: Conner Baxter (Quickblade V-Drive), Travis Grant (Quickblade Trifecta), Scott Gamble (Quickblade V-Drive), Kai Lenny (Quickblade V-Drive), Dave Kalama (Quickblade V-Drive) and Livio Menelau (Quickblade V-Drive).

Known simply as “Molokai”, the race is the pinnacle event in a paddle athlete’s career. It is the ultimate test of skill and endurance where the conditions challenge even the most experienced paddlers. Each athlete charts their course across the infamous “Channel of Bones”, employing a strategy which they hope will enable them to reach the opposing shore victorious. “The Ka’iwi Channel doesn’t care if you’ve won nine races…it will chew you up and spit you out,” said Jamie Mitchell, who won the event 10 consecutive times on a ...more