Courtesy of WOWSA, Maui – Molokai – Lanai, Hawaii.
Becca Mann has competed at the FINA World Championships and represented the United States in multiple international competitions, specializing in the 10 km marathon swim. In addition to being one of the fastest distance freestylers in the pool over the last several years, one thing has always been consistent: her love of the open water.
At the age of 10, Mann swam across the Maui Channel and is a published author, a two-time National Champion and a long-time USA Swimming national team member who studies at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
But instead of a single crossing of the Maui Channel, Mann is attempting to become the first person in history to complete the famed Maui Nui Triangle Swim.
Harry Huffaker pioneered the attempt at the 63.79 km swim [read about his attempt here]. Back in 1989 at the age of 50, Dr. Huffaker attempted athe unprecedented 63 km 3 Islands Swim, the first solo swim attempt between Maui, Lanai and Molokai in the state of Hawaii. But after 31 hours and nearly 50 very tough kilometers, Dr. Huffaker faced the insurmountable currents and conditions in his last wind-blown channel.
“Now 30 years later, Dr. Huffaker is mentoring Becca so she can try to complete what he started,” said Steven Munatones. “Harry has been more than generous and inspirational. 30 years ago, he used his 3 Islands Swim to raise money for kids – and now he continues to help young people like Becca to realize their dreams. He is a remarkable individual.”
While Dr. Huffaker was not successful, his charity swim was supported by Rotary Club where Dr. Huffaker was a member. “The Rotary Club sponsored the swim on behalf of the Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation to use for college scholarships for graduating Hawaii High School seniors. The hoped-for goal was to raise US$50,000. But the final tally was us$225,000. Thirty years ago that was real money.” [Note: that is US$455,866.33 in 2019 value.]
During the week of August 11th, Mann will be escorted by Captain Michael Twigg-Smith with the assistance of Steve Haumschild who have strategized on the optimal counter-clockwise course with optional back-up plans depending on the weather, wind and conditions:
Leg 1: Black Rock on Maui to Pukoo Harbor on Molokai: 19 km or 11.8 miles, estimated time of 5.5 hours heading north northwest swimming in the rear side on to the trade winds
Leg 2: Pukoo Harbor on Molokai to Club Lanai on Lanai: 26.5 km or 16.25 miles, estimated time of 7.5 hours heading south swimming perpendicular to the trade winds
Leg 3: Club Lanai on Lanai to Black Rock on Maui: 16.5 km or 10.3 miles, estimated time of 4.75 hours heading northeast swimming side on trade winds
Mann knows the state of Hawaii very well, “Hawai’i is my favorite place on the planet. I spent a lot of time there growing up and remember taking the ferry from Maui to Lanai and thinking about the names in the display who had swum the ferry ride.”
national champion Becca Mann will attempt to become the first swimmer to complete the Maui Nui Channel Swim. The triple swim stretches between the Hawai’ian islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. The total length adds up to 63.79 kilometers (approximately 39.64 miles). Mann’s goal is to complete the swim in between 15 and 20 hours. The full route can be viewed below:
Mann set up a GoFundMe page here.
These are the fundamental WOWSA rules to follow: