Honolulu — The 32-mile paddleboard crossing of the Molokai (Ka’Iwi) Channel is considered the most brutal physical and mental challenge in the world for the waterman. But the new wave of standup (SUP) paddlers are here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be a near-death experience.

The word is out and the SUP division of the Rainbow Sandals Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race, presented by Honolua, is the fastest growing division of this 13 year-old race. Offering solo and team categories, it’s also luring its fair share of big names.

Without a doubt, tackling the Ka’Iwi solo is where the major praise lies — along with the major pain. But the Molokai martyrdom isn’t for everyone. For SUP-ers, the idea of channel surfing the distance with a paddle and a buddy is the big attraction.

Among those 2-man teams contesting the 2009 SUP division are: Gerry “Mr. Pipeline” Lopez and Rainbow Sandals founder Jay “Sparky” Longley; former world 16-ranked pro surfer and Polo Ralph Lauren model Buzzy Kerbox and Kiva Rivers; top SUP designer/shaper Dave Parmenter and godfather of distance SUP, Archie Kalepa; and C4 Waterman founder Todd Bradley and his 18-year-old son Christian, who race SUP in the purest style – on a shorter, rudderless 14-foot board.

WHEN:
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Start at 7:30am.

WHERE:
From Kaluakoi on the west end of Molokai island, 32 miles across the Ka’iwi Channel to a finish line at Maunalua Bay Beach Park in Hawaii Kai.

THE PADDLERS:
Defending men’s and women’s paddleboard champions:
Jamie Mitchell (Australia) & Kanesa Duncan (Hawaii).
Defending SUP champion
Duane DeSoto (Hawaii).
Team SUP: Gerry Lopez (Hawaii) & Jay ‘Sparky’ Longley, Jr. (Rainbow Sandals founder).

RECORDS:
Men’s solo paddleboard:
Jamie Mitchell (Australia), 4:48:23, set in 2007.

Women’s solo paddleboard: Kanesa Duncan (Hawaii),
5:53:49, set in 2004.

SUP solo: Kevin Horgan (Kauai), 5:54:59, set in 2007.

SUP team: Ekolu & David Kalama (Maui), 4:36:55, set in 2007.

Stock 2-man Team: Jimmy Austin & Dolan Eversole (Hawaii), 5:04:48, set in 2004.

read more of the story at rainbow sandals site

Vote for your favorite Miss Reef and enter to be a guest Miss Reef judge in Panama!

In celebration of Reef’s 25 years, we are giving you a chance to win a trip to Panama to be our next guest Miss Reef judge. Just go to surfline.com, vote for your favorite Miss Reef from the past 25 years, register to win and you could be heading down to Panama to help us pick the perfect butt.

Check out reef.com/25th to download the 25 all-time best Miss Reefs and browse the Reef timeline to get a little bit of Reef history from the past 25 years.

check out the full story and see more pics at surfline

INTERNATIONAL SURFING DAY CHALLENGES

MONSTER: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a Monster towel, pin and sticker set.

ELECTRIC: On-site Prize — Each winner receives a copy of Electric’s “Save the Big Fat Whales” DVD 

Grand Prize — 5 grand prize winners will receive sunglasses, umbrella, and towel. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

OCEAN MINDED: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a pair of Ocean Minded sandals and a sticker

Grand Prize — A pair of Bede Durbidge’s Signature sandals and a pair of Bethany Hamilton’s signature sandals, signed by Bede and Bethany; a pair of men’s or women’s sandals in the winner’s size, a shirt in the winner’s size, and Ocean Minded backpack, and Ocean Minded hat. (Decided by photo and written submission of the required information listed above — contestants must go to the website and upload their photo.)

MATIX: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a beach ball, sticker, fin key, etc. 

Grand Prize — Matix prize pack. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

DVS: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a beach ball, fin key, bottle opener, stickers, etc. 

Grand Prize — DVS prize pack. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload video.)

O’NEILL: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a T-shirt or tote bag.

Grand Prize — O’Neill surf package: Backpack, tee, boardies and towel. (Decided by video submission — contestants must go to the website and upload video.)

REEF: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a Reef wax kit

Grand Prize — Reef “head-to-toe” Prize Pack. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

SECTOR 9: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a Hat, DVD or stickers, etc. 

Grand Prize Winner — A complete Sector 9 skateboard. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

VANS: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a Vans Trash Project t-shirt or Gift certificate for a pair of Vans shoes.

Grand Prize Winner — A $100 Vans Gift Card. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

VOLCOM: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a pair of Volcom socks, a license plate cover and a mouse pad.

PATAGONIA: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a tee, DVD or sticker.

BILLABONG: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a DVD, hat, tee or belt, etc. 

Grand Prize — A pair of recycled boardshorts. (Decided by photo submission — contestants must go to the website and upload photo.)

QUIKSILVER: On-site: “Feel the Future, Diamond Dobby” t-shirt. The winner’s name and picture will be posted on Quiksilver’s blog and 10 of the 100 winners will be randomly selected to win 2 pairs of Diamond Dobby boardshorts.

Grand Prize: Winner will receive 2 pairs of Diamond Dobby boardshorts. All on-site winners can check Quiksilver’s blog two weeks after ISD to see if their picture was selected. Quiksilver will contact winners for boardshort sizes and shipping addresses.

RIP CURL: Grand Prize — Rip Curl Search pack: Wetsuit jacket, boardshorts made of recycled bottles, backpack, sandals, and assortment of organic cotton tees.

DAKINE: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a deck pad and a leash.

ECOUSABLE: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive an ISD branded bottle.

GLOBE: On-site Prize — Each winner will receive a Globe tote bag.

WESTERN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION: Grand Prize — WFCU will pick two lucky winners at random who will each receive a 16GB Apple iTouch media player

check out the full article at surfing magazine