1. Can you explain why you wanted to cross this channel?
Several reasons, moving to Hawaii in 1976, and not ever having done any open water swims, my initial swim out at Makaha Beach in 1976 was awe inspiring. That moment, I decided this was a passion, and began a daily swim in the Pacific Ocean as a routine. Fast forward, 1978.
Having hung around Ian Emberson over the past year, he asked me to participate in this “new event”, a roughwater swim, a bike around the island of Oahu, and a marathon run. (Ironman, 1978), and not being a runner, I questioned my participation. I actually attempted to train for this event, then shrugged it off, absolutely knowing then, it was a one time thing, never to go anywhere. I won the Bong Show that year, I could not have been more wrong of course. Anyway, he had attempted Kaiwi (Molokai Channel) twice, coming up short. he asked me to do something again, to have a go at this, and I was not going to make a second mistake. He is a ‘winner’ a competitor, and I like people like this. So, training out of Outrigger Canoe Club, we began a 4-5 month regimen. He must have bought me hundreds of meals at OCC. I then began to realize how much I enjoyed this type of training.
2. Can you describe your crossing (e.g., time of day/night, currents, water conditions, marine life)?
Left at night close to Laaua (sp?) Point. Totally glassy conditions, complete calm, nary even a ripple. Current off the get go, swam 4 hours, and at daylight, we could see our starting point, probably swimming a mile or two in 4 hours. Heads down in the water, walk in, swim across, walk out, nothing else matters. Halfway across, hit a nasty current, and swam another 2 hours,
little forward movement, then off an express towards Alan Davis Rock, off Sandy beach.
3. What was the most difficult part of your crossing?
Sunburn, the next day, pealing layers of skin off my back within the week. Mentally we were ready, Ian was so determined this time. Even off the start, knowing we had made little progress, simply didn’t matter. walk in swim across walk out
4. Who was on your boat and who was your pilot?
Rick Davis and his sailing vessel, Kanaloa, and I am sorry to say, i have overlooked the other gentleman. We had four paddlers, taking turns on two paddleboards.
5. What was the most memorable part of your crossing?
Sunrise, over Molokai.
6. How much did you train for this channel crossing?
4-5 months, then nearly a one month taper, and two weeks of DRY taper, no swimming. Ian and I agreed, “we want the water to feel good, when we get in”
7. Can you provide photographs of your swim?
Take a little while, back then, it was Kodachrome, or Fujifilm, no digital stuff, but I have pix of Molokai Channel, you’d think it was a pond, it was so still.
Copyright © 2011 by Open Water Source