Molokai Holokai - Racing Across the Pailolo Channel

Join Seth and the Kaua’i crew racing across the Pailolo Chanel in the 2023 Molokai Holokai event!
The whole story from Seth Womble…
“Reflecting on ‪@MolokaiHolokai‬ race from last weekend before racing again tomorrow’s Paddle Imua Race…
This was my third race and the one I felt most ready for, so far. I had some good training runs to dial in the gear I thought would work best and put a little extra time in @makana_training_center
While the excitement was building at DT Fleming Beach I felt mostly calm and ready. As the other divisions started leaving the beach my nerves kicked in. This was my first time crossing the Pailolo Channel and doing 27 miles downwind in open seas.
I was one of the last ones off the beach and in the top 5 off the starting line. I had a great lead and had some top riders to chase.
About 20 min in went down. Turned out using my smallest foil wasn’t the best idea. I had a hard time getting going again and started getting frustrated seeing that I lost my lead. Also my board flipped twice almost popping my wing. Once, the stabilizer landed inside the handle on my leading edge 😅
When I finally got underway again, I relaxed, found my grove, and started enjoying the ride, while still pushing to make up time.
That’s when I realized my pants were falling off. At that point there was no one anywhere nearby and I wasn’t about to drop off foil to tie my shorts. So I let’m sag. 🙈🤷‍♂️ Got a lil’ extra sun.
Heading down the coast of Moloka’i, a mololo flew into my canopy and I wiped out again. Good opportunity to fix my shorts.
As we got closer to the finish line the racers started to converge and I realized I had actually made my way back into the front of the pack… only to drop in another wind hole, 600 yards out. And there I sat, watching riders on bigger gear slip through 🤦‍♂️
Finally a gust came and I was almost in when I went down one last time about 50 yards out. I paddled my ass off and crossed the finish line with a big smile and was welcomed warmly to Moloka’i.
The following days we were graciously hosted around the island by @sawyerililani & @marcus3773gonzo ❤️🤙
I will never forget this incredible experience… AND CAN’T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN!!!”
‪@ppcfoiling‬ ‪@Unifoil‬
#maui2molokai #pailolo #wingfoil #foilfever #foiltheworld #downwind #nopantsparty #mololoinmycanopy