IN 100 DAYS, 2 CANADIAN STAND UP PADDLE SURFERS WILL JOIN THE WORLDS MOST RESPECTED WATERMEN AND WOMEN IN THE EPIC 32 MILE CHANNEL CROSSING FROM MOLOKAI TO OAHU TO RAISE MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR ONE OF CANADA’S MOST PRISITINE COASTLINES ALONG THE GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST.
Norm Hann - Mountain Surf Adventures
April 22, 2011, (Vancouver, British Columbia) The Ka’iwi Channel, also known as the “channel of bones”, aka Molokai Channel, has a centuries old reputation for being one of the most treacherous bodies of water in the world. Ka’iwi has claimed the lives of many, from ancient canoe fleets, to fisherman and watermen including the tragic loss of Hawaiian big-wave surfer Eddie Aikau.
On July 31st, 2011, Norm Hann and Bodie Shandro of British Columbia aspire to add their names to the list of those watermen and women that have successfully crossed the channel in the 15th Annual Molokai 2 Oahu Race. Unofficially recognized as the “World Championships” of paddleboarding, stand up paddle boarding is a relatively new category in the elite race. Hann and Shandro will be competing in the 2-man division.
Both men are considered “Canadian pioneers” in the sport of stand up paddleboarding, and are proud of their surf roots. Considered race veterans, adventurers and highly regarded certified SUP instructors, Hann owns and operates Mountain Surf Adventures, and Shandro, Paddle Surf Fitness.
Join them in the race of their lives by pledging in support of the Standup4Greatbear organization. Standup4Greatbear is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of the significance of the Great Bear Rainforest and preserving its unique status as a pristine example of human respect for and coexistence with the environment. Partial proceeds raised will also be shared with Hawaii’s Na Kama Kai Organization. Na Kama Kai’s mission is to empower youth by creating, conducting and supporting ocean-based programs, specifically targeting ocean awareness & safety in order to increase the capacity of youth in the community through cultural & environmental education.
Donations can be made at: www.standup4greatbear.ca.
For further information:
Media / Sponsorship / Logistical Partnership opportunities
Bodie Shandro bodie@paddlesurfit.com 250 318.0722 250 578.8979
Stand Up for Great Bear / Charity / Donations
Norm Hann norm@mountainsurfadventures.com 604 848.8792
Molokai 2 Oahu Race Facts http://www.molokai2oahu.com/
Regarded as the world championship of paddleboard racing.
- Traverses 32 miles of rough, shark infested waters from the North Shore of Molokai, to the South Shore of Oahu.
- Covers a depth of 2,300 feet and is subject to open-ocean swells of up to 30 feet.
- Considered one of the roughest ocean channels in the world.
- Ultimate test of endurance – no engines or sails, just a paddler and the propulsion power of his paddle.
- Wildly varying open-ocean conditions challenge a paddler’s surfing skills.
- Top paddlers can ride swells for 100s of yards.
- Capricious currents and tidal effects test a paddler’s ocean navigation skills.
Bodie Shandro
Battle of the Paddle
Norm Hann
Tahoe Nalu
