Kanesa Duncan Seraphin, host and producer of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Sea Grant College Program¡¯s television series and director of its , raced to a first place victory in the 2026 Molokaʻi 2 Oʻahu (M2O) Paddleboard World Championships on July 27, winning her ninth prone paddleboard race across the Kaʻiwi Channel—a decade after her last race in 2016.
In the fastest race of her career, with a personal best time of 5 hours, 40 minutes and 13 seconds, this year¡¯s effort put her back in the women¡¯s top 10 overall fastest times, 12th overall, and fourth among all competitors in the unlimited division.
‘Draw of the open ocean’
“This year I felt the draw of the open ocean and a need to cross the channel,” said Seraphin. “Enough years had gone by that just being able to paddle in the event was satisfying. So, getting a best time is really icing on the cake, especially as our overall speeds are largely determined by the conditions on the given race day! I am extremely grateful to have been out there this year and to have had real, challenging channel conditions with wind and swell! Mahalo to my family, friends, coworkers, and supporters who got me there. It¡¯s a solo sport, but it really takes a whole community to make it happen!”
With strong northeast tradewinds, the remnants of Hurricane Fausta, and a high-surf advisory south swell, conditions across the Kaʻiwi Channel were extremely challenging. However, an afternoon incoming tide contributed to good downwind conditions for experienced paddlers, and the competitors finished with some of the fastest performances ever recorded at M2O.
Seraphin held the women¡¯s stock board record for 15 years (2004–2019), was inducted into the 2024 Â鶹´«Ã½ Waterman Hall of Fame, and has inspired countless athletes through her determination and excellence. She has dedicated her career to furthering the understanding of ocean and coastal ecosystems and the importance of marine conservation, and by successfully merging world-class ocean athleticism with her passion for ocean education and stewardship, she has become a beacon of education and environmental stewardship in Â鶹´«Ã½ and beyond.
Premiere paddleboarding event
Over the years, M2O has grown from a grassroots challenge for the Oʻahu lifeguards to the premiere event in the sport of paddleboarding that it is today. This year, men and women from more than 25 countries raced across the Kaʻiwi Channel, the “Channel of Bones,” that connects the islands of Molokaʻi and Oʻahu and is considered one of the most challenging and powerful bodies of water in the world.
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