Norihito Yoshioka (吉岡 範人, @openwaterswimmer_yoshi) is a Japanese from the island of Shikoku who loves swimming in Hawaii…the hard way.
Last year, he completed the 9th Annual Maui Nui Swim in a tandem swim with Steven Minaglia across the Pailolo Channel between Maui and Moloka’i, the Kalohi Channel between Lāna’i and Moloka’i, and the ʻAuʻau Channel between Lānaʻi and Maui over three consecutive days in May.
On May 4th, he returned to Hawaii and completed an even longer and tougher channel swim: the 45 km crossing of the Molokai Channel from Pāpōhaku Beach on Moloka’i Island to Sandy Beach on Oahu. His 15 hour 43 minute swim was achieved with the support of Steven Minaglia, Captains Andy Joca and Phil Kibby, Zach Kayser, Logan Kibby, drone pilot Satoshi Bali, and ground crew of Marek Lehocky and Luke Minaglia.
Yoshioka, the first successful Japanese solo swimmer across the Moloka’i Channel, wrote, “It was extremely tough…I ended up swimming more than 6 km extra because I drifted quite a bit in the open ocean. The waves and swells were intense the entire time, and I felt seasick for most of the swim, making it a very hard battle. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported me. Thank you very much to everyone at Central Ichigao, Nagatsuta, Fujigaoka, and Ocean Navi who trained with me. Also, Yu Yumoto, a high school classmate who came all the way from San Diego. I was able to enjoy a small trip with him for the first time in years, and his presence was a great mental support. For the support in Moloka‘i: Captains Andrew Joca and Phil Kibby, feeding support Zach, swimming support and special coach Marek Lehocky, Japanese support and special drone pilot Satoshi Bali, and swimming support, special coach, and overall support in Hawaii, Steven Minaglia—thank you all so much.”
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