The 8th Annual Maui Paddle Championships took place Sunday, July 21st. 192 paddlers attended the prestigious Maliko to Kahului Harbor race that had an all-star local cast joined by many of the world’s best paddlers. Conditions were relatively light for this time of year, but better than predicted and they improved throughout the day making for some fast times.

Team Naish was well represented with riders from all around the world, including Kody Kerbox, Poenaiki Raioha, Ridge Lenny, Yoshi Nagamatsu, Manca Notar, Jerry Bess, Steven Frogier, Suzie Cooney and many more bringing home great results on this “warm-up” race to next week’s M2O race.

Maui local Kody Kerbox took out the big battle of the 14 footers, claiming the division win on his Javelin 14’0″ LE and coming into the beach 9th overall. Tahitian racing and wave sensation Poenaiki Raioha once again showed that he’s going to be a force to reckon with. He took the win of the 01-16 age class on his Javelin 14’0″ LE followed by Maui-grown Ridge Lenny placing second.

Young slovenian team rider Manca Notar, racing on Maui for the first time this year, took the opportunity to participate in the Championship race in preparation for the upcoming M2O race next weekend. She managed to take advantage of the conditions she’d been studying for weeks before the race and took the win in her age class on the Javelin 14’0″ LE. Maui based CPT Suzie Cooney quotes: “It was a total painful grind : )” still rewarding her efforts placing second in her age class of the 14’0″ division.

Huge congratulations to all Naish riders who braved the conditions and good luck to those who are paddling in the upcoming M2O race.

Full results: http://www.mauipaddleboard.com/2013-maui-paddle-championships-results/

Photos: Jimmie Hepp Photography, Marco Notar, Yannick Lii