Unfortunately the 2007 event got even tougher. With race organizers adding an extra 5 miles to the course making it an epic 37 mile (my actual distance was a huge 62.7 km) marathon.

On the day it was a relatively flat ocean, with a swell coming in from the south (ama side) and a stiff head wind. This made the race from Kaluakoi Hotel, Molokai to Kaimana Beach, Oahu across the Kaiwi Channel especially difficult.

I started next to the legendary Lisa Curry-Kenny. My race strategy was to stay with her and follow her line. I was able to stay within a few hundred metres for a good couple of hours. However, I had a slow water change at about the 2.5 hour mark and she slowly pulled away from me, utilizing the water more effectively than what I was doing and soon lost sight of her.

Once at Koko head, according to my support crew, I was still in a "solid 3rd place". Lauren Bartlett and Lisa were only a mere 1/4 mile in front but they had taken the inside line to Diamond Head. I stayed outside following the instructions of my support crew. Unfortunately this line kept me out in the current.

My support crew had miscalculated the tide due to the amount of time I had been out on the water already. If the conditions were what they were meant to be, then my line would have been perfect! This line ensured, unfortunately I got a "solid 4th" and not the 3rd as to what I was leaded to believe.

"It was the hardest most brutal race I have ever done!" With 91 finishers, 45 DNF and 2 competitors not even starting meant it came down to a race of survival. When I finished in 7 hours, 32 minutes and 47 seconds, I vowed and declared I would never do it again.
I was determined not paddle for at least several months and was really "over it".

That all changed when I got home. I am now focusing my energy on getting "Waitakere ROC" up to Hawaii to compete in the "Na Wahine O Ke Kai" (Womens Molokai Race). I have also thought about how I would adjust my training program for the "next time!"

Although I was a little disappointed with my result initially, I guess I need to step back and say, "Hey, that wasn’t too bad." Both Lauren, and Lisa have crossed this channel dozens of times compared to my twice! So I guess it's OK.

There were no real exciting experiences to share with you all about the race. As you can see from the photos it looks like "A nice day for a paddle!" Although I have to say I nearly crapped my self half way through as I thought I saw an enormous shark or whale heading towards me.

According to my support crew, however it was a huge piece of drift wood! I think I might have been a bit delusional at that stage! Never the less, my support crew got a few laughs at my expense.

Competing in a race like this requires a good amount of planning and of course lots of support. I would like to say a huge thank you to Rob Bruce from REGIS PARK my main sponsor, Nikki from Paddla Aotearoa, Karel and Marcela from Outrigger Connection, Hawaii for the use of a wonderful canoe, the FUZE, North Shore Leisure Centre, Paul Wilford for the guidance in developing my training program, Lara Collins for all the contacts passed on for my accommodation and paddling partners, Jane McKee for your encouragement on the support boat (one of here lines were, "Vegemite Power"! You go get em girl!) and for all my team, friends family and Pete, thanks a million times over.

I can only encourage any one to compete in a race like this. With careful planning and preparation anything is possible. If you think you can, you will! Just do it, anything is possible!

Bernie Murch