Joe Wilson takes on the world's most-challenging paddleboard race

We're proud to support Joe Wilson in his efforts to take on the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard World Championships

Ka’iwi, the bones, is not an encouraging name for an ocean channel.  

To the southeast of Hawaii’s Oahu, it’s one of the world’s storied crossings, splitting green and tranquil Molokai from the more bustling shores of Oahu. This 52 kilometre ocean crossing is home to notoriously strong winds in an area where the ocean floor reaches 2,300 ft deep in places, swell from the Pacific pushes through the narrow canyon between the two volcanic land masses, and waves can be double overhead.  

It’s also thronged with whales, jellyfish and sharks.  

It’s a place most people wouldn’t want to be too intimately acquainted with. But for Mairangi Bay’s Joe Wilson, he’s not only about to dive into the Channel of Bones; it’s his second time. This July will see 24 year old Joe travel to Hawaii to take on the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships. It’s known as the world’s most challenging paddleboard race and brings together global competitors to battle conditions, fatigue and each other to be crowned champion.  

For Joe, the race defines the ultimate waterman, and he sees the event as the pinnacle in his sporting career as so few in the world will get to successfully cross a dangerous channel like the Ka’iwi.  

Just after dawn on the 28 of July, he’ll set out from the shores of Molokai with the solo prone paddle board field, turning his board towards Maunalua Bay Beach on Oahu, 32 miles, or 51.5 kilometres away.  

It’s a huge undertaking, physically, mentally and financially, demanding years of training, as well as travel to Hawaii to acclimatise, on to Molokai for the start, and then engaging an escort boat to support him through the event. And it’s an undertaking which we’re thrilled to support.

Sponsorship is allowing the recent architectural studies masters graduate to maintain the intensive training needed to get to the race start line.

“Without the support of Orams Marine, this second race attempt would not be in my sporting calendar. With skyrocketing costs, sacrifices would have to be made if I had no support, jeopardising the preparation for my race,” says Joe.

“Logistically, the race is a nightmare. Most people say the hardest part is getting to the start line.”

Having raced in the 2023 edition of the race, Joe has a good idea of what to expect. That event saw Joe take out second place in his category, though he says issues during the race were a learning curve.

“Last year my preparation was poor for the acclimation period in Hawaii and my nutrition during race day didn’t go to plan; I ended up paying the consequences with heat stroke.”

“Yes that top spot for this year’s race would be perfect, but my main goal is to have everything in the lead up go smoothly and not have any major issues out on the channel. An enjoyable race is very appealing.”

No amount of preparation can account for changeable conditions however. Near perfect winds at the start of 2023’s race meant the field was on track for record breaking times, however a drop in wind and an opposing current in the second half of the event resulted in one of the slower race years.

“It’s very hard to predict times. I would ideally like to go below the six hour mark, however last year’s race proved how difficult time prediction can be.”

Joe cites those logistical challenges as his biggest concern going into the race. Every race competitor has to have a certified support boat follow during the whole race, and there’s also a number of points where practical issues could derail the effort.

“Is my support boat going to break down? Will my board make it to Molokai undamaged? Will the small plane that takes me to the start line leave the runway? Does my nutrition plan stay successful?”

However, in this year’s race, he’ll have an extra boost onboard his escort boat.

“They are my safety, navigation, conditions, tactics and nutrition aid. My father will be on the support boat jumping in the water every hour to give me a swap over in hydration and electrolytes.”

Dad, Chris Wilson, is captain of Janice of Wyoming and a long time friend of Orams Marine.

“We’re excited to be supporting Joe,” says Orams Marine managing director, Craig Park.

“We met Joe at this year’s New Zealand Millennium Cup where Janice of Wyoming raced, and have seen his training and dedication to his sport. We’re all going to be watching his tracker and cheering him on from Auckland as Joe represents in the race.”

Joe’s training to date has included a total of 333 kilometres paddling around the Waitematā Harbour and he’s moving into the last stages of preparation for the race.

“The final month is about fine tuning everything, a couple more long paddles, spending time in the pool swimming, and conditioning my muscle groups in the gym. I have a heat protocol for the two weeks before flying out which will be a lot of time spent in the sauna to help with acclimation. A week prior to the race I fly to Hawaii and commence a final training week in the heat.

Joe’s a lifeguard with Mairangi Bay Surf Lifesaving Club and will be accompanied to Molokai by fellow club members; Lucas Forbes competing in the solo prone paddle board race, and new Mairangi Bay member Ethan Storey. The lifeguards, and mates, say having the chance to take it on as a team, with the support of each other on the ground, and from sponsors and supporters back home, makes all the difference.

“Winning would be everything. I have my parents with me this year for the race and to show them that success would be incredible. Such a race is still unknown in New Zealand and to win would be something no Kiwi has done yet.”

With the first finishers expected to cross the line close to 11.30am in Hawaii, around 9.30am on Monday 30th July Auckland time, the Orams Marine team will be eagerly awaiting news of Joe’s progress, and cheering on the boys from Mairangi Bay.