Once again Team Ohana makes a great showing at NAC, despite questionable weather conditions and strong current. Everyone from top elite Olympic paddlers to recreational ravers were there to participate.

Ohana Paddlers took a 1,2, finish. After a slow start, Rob Rojas secured another first place finish. The early am workouts have been paying off. Not far behind, Thomas Maximus tried to close the gap on his teamate for a solid second place finish followed by Elite racer Kyle MOchizuki, who did his best to chase Maximus down. Watch out guys, the season is still young, you may have awoken a sleeping dragon!

A great showing for Ohana Paddlers Odie Sumi, Chad Andino and Amanda Harris. A special thanks to Willie Richtenstein, Billy Whitford, Cheance Adair and all the people who helped put on this event. You all are truly our Hanai Ohana.

Ohana O Kai Kane and Wahine
(Family of Watermen and Waterwomen)

Congrats to Team Ohana for the dominate 1,2,3 finish!

The always amazing, Danny Ching leads the pack to another incredible victory followed by the unstoppable, Rob Rojas. Despite Rob’s bad start, he chased down and passed the entire field of competition with the exception of Danny Ching. Thomas AKA “Maximus” took a solid second place. Maximus is always a threat no matter whatever watercraft he is paddles. A big thanks to the following: Eric Starns, Big Islands Odie Sumi, Stud Waterwoman Amanda Harris, Doho lifeguard Dick Deboer, San Diego lifeguard Eric Meech, Chad Andino and Ross Flemer for representing Ohana Paddleboards.

A big Mahalo to Chance Adair of SO Cal Ocean Racing and Dan Van Dyck of Hano Hano Outrigger for putting on a fun event.

Rob received his new 18ft unlimited SUP. Here’s one of the pics.

Here’s a little bit about team rider Jenny Kalmbach.  She won the Battle not too long ago and we hope to see her over here again soon at some of the upcoming races.

I was born and raised in Costa Rica. My parents built a lodge in the rainforest when I was three and so I spent a lot of my childhood there. After high school I moved to Vancouver, Canada to attend university and then made my way across the Pacific to Kona, Hawaii. I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to play in the ocean all day, every day. I enjoy stand up paddling, surfing, outrigger paddling, canoe sailing, swimming and the list goes on. One of my favorite ways of training is going on downwind runs. When the wind picks up we load up all our gear onto a boat and get dropped off miles offshore or down the coast and surf back. It’s so much fun. What I love about playing in the ocean is that you never know what you’re going to get. The conditions are constantly changing, they are never the same. Every time you paddle out it’s a completely unique experience.

I’ve competed in races over here on the Big Island and the Battle of the Paddle in California. This summer I’m looking forward to competing in the Maui International paddleboard race, the Quiksilver Edition Molokai Crossing and the Maui-Molokai crossing.

New Ohana Unlimited SUP Bob and Russell have been hard at work in the shaping room.