Wow, this is a high point in the sport in this country. What an amazing effort from all the Aussies involved. There is no doubt that the Aussie's are making a big impression over there.
There are so many stories of commitment and bravery, and here is just one of the hundreds worth mentioning.
At 12 Riggs Napoleon becomes the youngest to cross the Molokai channel SOLO in the stand up division and youngest ever of anyone paddling a non motorized water craft... Congrats Riggs!! EPIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Listening to those that were with Riggs and it was a very emotional, grueling thing to witness... Riggs had every reason to quit. Blistered hands, body racked with pain... His Dad Aaron left it to Riggs to call it quits anytime... Through tears Riggs grinded it out for miles as those on the boat were in tears too... Witness Allen Mozo said it was the heaviest thing he has ever witnessed. This paddle will go down in the history books as one of the greatest ocean achievements done by a youth... 12 yrs old. The stuff of legend...
To everyone who competed - respect!
AA
With Riggs, it is more about experience than age.
He comes from an Hawaiian family that is almost treated as royalty in Hawaii due to their accomplishments in and out of the ocean.
Riggs has as much, if not more experience in the ocean than many of us and his family and support crew were following him during the race.
His accomplishment is monumental and will only build on the reputation of the Napolean family.
I cant wait to hear in person from all the crew over there, just how hard this race was for everyone.
regardless of experience. For me its about weighing up 4 things, the pysical, mental and emotional effects and then there combined effects. Im sure it was a positive inviroment and heaps of support....but at the end of the day he is still just a 12 year old boy.....
Well done to all a massive effort 
..... look forward to seeing all the photo's.
Boylos
Hi Guys,
I have known Riggs and his family for a long time, RIggs has driven the escort boat across the channel 3 times a year for 2-3 years now for his Dad whilst doing the one man OC1 solo, Relay and Stand Up race , he knew what he was getting himself in for , and how hard it would be. He drove the escort boat to Molokai on Saturday, slept on the boat at Lono harbor on Saturday night , drove the boat around to the start on Sunday and then raced. I have been here for the summer with Riggs and his family It was totally his decision to race solo. I was on the boat for the whole race and it was the most inspiring and heart breaking thing I have ever seen. For all those that watched, Riggs is a hero, When he got home we got in trouble as his Escort boat was a mess , so he cleaned it and today he we went surfing. What a cool summer I had.
I will do full race writeup tomorrow for u all. Super stoked with whole trip! Molokai race holy crap! If u ever do it I can only recommend it as a team for your first time, solo 2nd year for sure for both jazz and myself! It's like nothing you've ever raced in before. We are stoked to come away with 1st female team & thank god there actually was other female team aswell so it made much more rewarding win. Sitting in syd waiting last plane, can't wait to start training for it solo now, beware Molokai is like a bad drug, not a fun race but the ocean changellge is like nothing else! 52 Aussies in te race all up!! Wicked vibe and wicked ocean. My race post will be up tomorrow. X Angie
Well done Angie , very stoked for you Go the Aussies , a great effort from all the Seabreeze crew.
Rob
SUPWORLD Magazine will be running articles on the Naish and Molokai Races in Issue 2 for you all with loads of pic's!! Was "SUPer" to be a part of it all. To see young Riggs at the end of his paddle was something awesome!
.... really looking forward to your report and pics .
I am incredibly impressed by what riggs did. But it is true that these things should keep beeing an exception and don't set up a standard for anybody else.
Some parents might start to think differently after that.
Pirro you are talking about jessica watson but do you think it's a coincidence if today the court of justice in holland had to pronounce itself to see if a 14 years old girl from there (laura dekker) could start her 1st solo sailing around the globe to be the youngest ever?. The court said yes and she'll start in a couple of weeks!!
I guess riggs family is very special but I hope these kind of achievements don't get to much publicity because not all families are the same.
Anybody watched the you face of a 15 years old kid taking off his helmet after wining a 125 motorcycle GP? A bit disturbing for me as well. (in fact much more than riggs crossing)
I don't agree with it myself but is it that far removed from Brock Little at wiamea whne he was 16...Jay Moriaty at Mavs...the fantastic noddles event with the 15 year old kids in SA....kids are fearless and its a parents responsibilty to set the boundaries where the kids can be challenged without placing them in too much risk...I know my old man never siad it was to big to go surf but he always seemed to make time be there in the water on the really big days......
I don't think anyone can make a flat out judgement about how young is too young, it all comes down to the individual and their capabilities and goals.
Young Riggs is a true waterman and is an inspiration to watch. It was his choice to do the race and there was no pressure from his family to continue or finish when the going was tough, they were there to encourage him and support him and it was his decision to push through to the finish.
I caught up to Riggs around the 35km mark and paddled alongside him for 8-10km, he was so positive and encouraging while we were chatting that its hard to believe he is only 12 years old (except for his size of course).
Definately one of the most inspirational performances on the day and a big congratulations to Riggs.
In Case You Didn't Know:
Ka’iwi Channel – translation: the channel of bones, aka: Molokai
Channel.The Ka’iwi, or Molokai Channel has a centuries old reputation
for being a treacherous body of water that has claimed the lives of
many, from ancient canoe fleets, to fisherman and watermen.
...Today there are official races for outrigger canoe, surf skis, and
paddleboards. Each take place across the Molokai Channel and each of
these races are regarded world-wide as the crowning challenge for each
sport.
The Challenge:
*32 Miles of Open Ocean
Regarded as the world championship of paddleboard racing.
*Traverses 32 miles of rough water 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 arms.
*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.
*Record crossing time: 4:45:03, set by Jamie Mitchell in 2004.
Tropical Blends representative Andrew Logreco took first in the Stock Class (14' no rudder) following a grueling 32 mile solo paddle across the Ka'iwi Channel! His time was 5:25:53. It was an impressive effort as he finished well ahead of several competitors riding longer boards that were equipped with rudders....
His 14' board was designed and built by Kyle Bernhardt, an insightful craftsman. We're very proud of the effort and teamwork it took to accomplish this victory. Also, we're humbly here to claim the right to having the world's fastest Ka'iwi Channel 14' stock board! At least for the moment.
........aloha!
Congratulations Andrew, great job! Designer/builder Kyle Bernhardt teamed up with TB owner Jim Hayes to cross as a two man relay team. They were in the 100+ (their ages added together) stock 14 category and finished in 6hrs 36min. Another winner from Kyle!
Note:
Thanks Kyle for carrying the old man and Gary Murakami for the taking such good care of us during the crossing! Mahalo and aloha to all.
Aloha Jimmy!
Welcome to the Breeze. Awesome effort mate!
Fantastic pics as well. If you have any more, throw them up!
If any Breezers are ever in Oahu, you need to check out his Tropical Blends store on Queens, it is a very cool store full of goodies and Jim would have to be the friendliest Haole in Hawaii!
Well done mate! Beautiful looking board!
AA
