How did the experience of crossing the Molokai Channel on a paddleboard compare to other physical challenges you've faced?

[WB] It was one of the most rewarding challenges I have ever taken on, being in Hawaii and the spiritual history behind the Molokai made it special to cross the channel and the amazing people we met in Hawaii made it memorable. It was a testing challenge and you are definitely spent after the 5 hours it took me but you have a boat and crew follow you the whole way which kind of makes it a team race which is enjoyable for me being an individual athlete.

[DB] I've never done anything as hard as the Molokai race.

How rigorous was your training schedule for Molokai?

[WB] Training was crazy. It required a lot of time more than anything as you need to get your endurance up around the 3hr mark on average but every now and then a 4hr paddle. I actually never did a 5 hour paddle leading into the race as had a lot of fitness coming of the back of the Ironman series.

My average day was swim training in the morning (which is essential for your board paddling as a Surf Ironman) then I would paddle in the afternoon - anything between 1.5 hours, to 3 or even 4 hours. It was pretty cool paddling along the coast line, most of my paddles would be from Fingal or Cabaritta in Northern NSW up to my home beach Miami. It's definitely achievable for the average paddler. I was doing it pretty competitively but if you just want to cross you could do a little less work.

[DB] The training was really tough and draining. I was doing 3 big paddles a week which totalled 70km. Monday 20km paddle, day off, Wednesday 20km paddle, day off, friday 30km paddle, 2 days off. Yoga twice a week to try and loosen up. I did that for 10 weeks.

[JP] I still try and mix it up a bit. If the waves are good I’ll go surfing before anything... I hate missing good waves. But I’ll do 2-3 long paddles a week with Wes, plus we do a bit of gym work. The race is about four weeks away so we’re training pretty hard at the moment.

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Has competing in the Molokai event encouraged you to try more endurance events? Ironman maybe?

[WB] It has opened my eyes to the whole world of the “waterman” and gives you a larger appreciation for all the different water sports out there. It is amazing thing to spend time in the ocean.

[DB] Haha I don't think I could commit to the work load that Ironman have to do to be competitive, especially for what they get paid. They're such freaks and most of them can barely pay the bills. As far as challenges, the 100km endurance running race through the Blue Mountains intrigues me [the North Face 100]. I might have a crack at that one day.

[JP] I’ll leave that to Wes! Too much hard work and I look terrible in sluggoes.

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