Join Leslie Kolovich as she talks with Rob Farrow M2O event producer  about this event which is steeped in history including paddleboarding pioneer, George Ramos.  This is the 16th year for the M2O and George Ramos has never missed one, one of only 5 guys to do so.  He was one of the first to cross the Molokai channel on a paddleboard back in 1996.  George is a fixture on the North Shore of Oahu, and truly a great waterman.  They named a race in his honor on the North Shore called the “George Race” that Mahina Chillingsworth and the folks at Da Hui put on this past June…over 400 paddlers came out…

George was diagnosed with cancer last year and the community is rallying to raise money to help offset some of his medical expenses.  If you would like to donate to this cause http://www.active.com/donate/GeorgeRamos    ”Live Like George” is the slogan the community has chosen.  The Paddle Community is part of a larger global family connected by one ocean, and without people like George who share  passion for the sport and for the ocean we’d all be stuck in our little silos in our little part of the world.

In this podcast Rob tells the stories of the 20/30 club in which guys could paddle 30 miles and surf 20 foot waves.  Member, George Ramos.  Rob also talks about the history of the event, the conditions of the channel in which 1.2 billion gallons of water run through per hour.  Making it one of the most perfect venues for the ultimate downwinder.  The M2O is a bucket list paddle for many, but once one completes one, it seems they come back and do it again.  The event started out as traditional paddle boarding.   Rob tells the story of how SUP made it’s way into the event and now is just about a 50/50 split with traditional and sup.

Enjoy this podcast now:>

This session brought to you by the following sponsors, Sup Wheels, and Precision Paddleboards

Click here to learn more about Precision Paddleboards

This segment is brought to you by Precision Paddleboards

Leslie Kolovich talks with Elite Racer from Hawaii Talia Gangini.  She is about to embark on another Paddle adventure for something she has a great passion for, Art.  Maliko Water Sports a 501C3 non-profit organization owned by her father is teaming up with Talia to raise money for a Scholarship Fund for Children under the age 18, who would normally not be able to afford to take art classes at the Hui No’eau.

This Session Brought to you by Coreban Paddle Boards

When Talia was 14 years old she took jewelry classes at the Hui No’eau which sparked a passion in jewelry design and enabled her to take her small business to a higher level.  Talia feels her passion for the water and for the arts go hand in hand with each other.  Her designs for jewelry and swimwear often come from her experiences while paddling.  Talia has been very busy since the last time she was on the show placing in the top of every elite race she has competed in, both in Hawaii and California.  She is kicking off the 2012 season with this paddle to raise money to give to children who don’t have an opportunity like she did to explore their creative sides.  She will paddle Maui to Lanai, then to Molokai, all together about a 42 mile paddle.  You can make a donation per mile or make a flat donation by visiting the Facebook page to support the scholarship Fund.

Enjoy the Podcast Now:

Hawaiian Report Roger Bialas

Roger Bialas talks with Tristin Boxford CEO of the Waterman League and Director of the Stand Up World Tour.

Zane Schweitzer

The Waterman League is an ocean sports media and event management company that owns and manages the Stand Up World Tour.  The Waterman League represents the world of ocean sports as a collective, celebrating the true essence of a ‘Waterman’ and delivering its media to 220 countries worldwide across all platforms.

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Hawaiian Report Roger Bialas

Join Leslie Kolovich and Roger Bialas as they talk about the Pops Achoy Sup Event in honor of a Waikiki Beach Boy with a “Chair” event.  Then they talk about Waterman League Standup World Tour Leco Salazar took his first win in front of his home crowd in Brazil this past weekend ahead of the incredible Kai Lenny, however, Kai has pretty much secured his Championship with 2 wins, a 2nd and a 3rd counting towards his overall result.

Also Zane Schweitzer finished in 7th place moving him up to 4th place overall!  Great job Zane!

Pops Achoy Event!

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Hawaiian Report Roger Bialas

Hawaiian SUP Reporter Roger Bialas joins Leslie Kolovich to talk about his experience at Turtle Bay Resort for the North Shore Paddle Challenge.  Roger talks with both the men’s and women’s winners Mariko Strickland and Zane Kekoa Schweitzer. New course format that is spectator friendly!  Great wave action!

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Mariko Strickland

Zane Kekoa Schweitzer