Moloka‘i to O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships Sells Out for 2026

May 5, 2026

Two Weekends of Elite Ocean Racing with International Field Locked In for 27th Crossing of the Legendary Kaiwi Channel

Honolulu, HI (May 5, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The world’s most iconic channel crossing is officially on. The Moloka‘i to O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships (M2O) returns this July with a completely sold-out international field, setting the stage for one of the most electric editions in the event’s 27-year history.

Spanning two high-impact weekends, M2O 2026 will showcase the absolute cutting edge of ocean sport, bringing together the world’s best in prone paddleboarding, stand-up paddle (SUP), and foil racing to battle the raw power of the Kaiwi Channel.

Action ignites on July 20 with the Foil Edition where speed, technology, and ocean instinct collide. As the final stop of the Koa Kai Crown, the race will crown the sport’s top foil athlete after more than 80 miles of elite competition. Launching from ‘Ilio Point on Moloka‘i’s rugged west end and finishing at the iconic Kaimana Beach beneath Diamond Head, the course delivers one of the fastest and most unforgiving runs in ocean racing as riders link open-ocean swells across the 40-miles connecting Moloka‘i to O‘ahu.

The intensity builds toward July 26 with the Prone and SUP Paddleboard Race, the heartbeat of M2O and widely considered the ultimate test in paddleboard racing. Covering 32 miles to Maunalua Bay, athletes will push physical and mental limits in a relentless battle against wind, current, and fatigue.

All eyes on Hawai‘i in July, as a full slate of downwind events transforms the islands into the global epicenter of paddling and foiling. From training runs to tune-up races, the road to M2O builds toward a dramatic championship finale where new world titles will be decided in real time on the open ocean.

“Last year we elevated the sport with live coverage and updates from the channel over two weekends of racing,” said founder Mike Takahashi. “With a full month of racing and a sold-out field, Hawai‘i will once again be the center of downwind racing. All eyes will be on Hawaii.”

The 2026 lineup features defending champions returning to protect their titles, alongside a surge of first-time competitors ready to make their mark. Growth in both women’s and junior divisions signals a new era for the sport and a deeper, more competitive field than ever before. Official start lists are now live.

Beyond the channel, the global paddling community can join the action through the 7th Annual Virtual Paddle.  Athletes globally can “Paddle Anything, Anywhere, Anytime.” The 16-mile challenge invites participants to take on M2O on their own terms, complete with custom gear and performance tracking.

Fans can follow every moment from race-day drama to athlete stories across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

The 2026 Moloka‘i-2-O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships is proudly supported by Duke’s Waikiki, Florence, H2O Audio, Sun Bum, Austin AI, Oceans Prone Paddle, Kauai Coffee, Reyn Spooner, Armstrong, Futures Fins, and Hammers and Legends. Media partners include The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, DotVision Motion, Spartan, Rogue TV, and Salt and Air Studios.

About the Moloka‘i-2-O‘ahu Paddleboard World Championships
Established in 1997, M2O has evolved from a grassroots challenge among O‘ahu lifeguards into the world’s premier paddleboard and foiling competition. The event crowns champions in prone paddleboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, and foil disciplines. Since introducing SUP Foil in 2018 and Wing Foil in 2022, M2O continues to reflect the progression of ocean sport. Spanning the Kaiwi Channel, often called the “Channel of Bones,”the race connects Moloka‘i and O‘ahu across one of the most demanding stretches of open ocean. Athletes from more than 25 countries navigate strong currents and powerful swells in pursuit of the fastest line across this iconic channel. For many, the crossing is more than a race, it is a defining personal test of endurance, skill, and respect for the ocean.

Visit Molokai2Oahu.com for more event info.