Todd Bradley, top photo, in the one-paddler outrigger canoe and Kelly Fey , bottom photo, in the less expensive kayak.
Photos by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

It's time, they say, that Molokai-to-Oahu Challenge organizers acknowledge their fast growing canoe sport by including it, along with the kayak, in its title.

''Let's face it,'' Bradley said, ''the surfski (kayak) is fading in popularity while the one-paddler outrigger is growing by leaps and bounds. And I'm not at all surprised.''

Sunday's tough 32-mile cross-channel trek, which finishes at Hawaii Kai's Koko Marina about 12:30 p.m., includes two types of watercraft - the 20-foot kayak or surfski and the 23-foot solo outrigger canoe. Approximately 75 boats are expected, including 18 or more canoes.

Canoes, whether paddling the solo variety or stroking the six-person craft used by clubs, requires a technique that's pretty much similar.

Both canoe types require the use of a single-blade paddle. Kayakers, on the other hand, use a two-bladed paddle with a motion that's very different.

''The similarity of the paddling stroke makes our small outrigger a natural trainer for club paddlers,'' Bradley said. ''Many club coaches encourage the one-man canoe for off-season workouts.''

Bradley is the steersman for the Outrigger Canoe Club's senior men's crew during the six-man season and a one-man canoe enthusiast.

Though the canoe entry lags well behind the kayak in this year's Challenge, outrigger supporters are not discouraged.

''Considering Bankoh's first official canoe entry was six boats just three years ago, I'm pleased with our growth,'' said Heen.

Heen, a long-time Kailua Canoe Club coach and supporter, reports that some Big Island regattas have drawn as many as 80 one-paddler outriggers.

The recent Kaiwi Canoe Challenge Relay (two-paddler teams took part), from Molokai to Waikiki, drew a record 76 small outriggers.

Cole, winner of last year's Bankoh Challenge men's canoe title, says the small outrigger is taking off on the Garden Island.

''Several Hanalei Canoe Club members train for the six-man regatta season using solo outriggers,'' he said.

In addition to being an excellent trainer, the small outrigger presents an easy learning curve for beginners.

''Step aboard and paddle away. It's that simple,'' said canoe/kayak builder Tom Conner.

Unlike the tippy kayak, which requires practice to balance, the canoe, thanks to its extended outrigger system, is stable at all speeds.

Despite the canoe's recent growth, serious kayakers remain unruffled.

''Kayaks are faster and require more skill to paddle well, which is part of the ocean fun,'' Conner said.

Kayaks are also less cumbersome to launch and to store, and less expensive to buy.

''Sure, balancing the kayak takes practice - much like riding a bicycle for the first time,'' said Hawaii Kai's Kelly Fey. ''But once you learn (to balance) you never forget.''

Fey explained that getting over the hump of tipping over is key.

''The rest of the kayak learning experience comes easy,'' she said.

Fey, the Bankoh Kayak Challenge two-time women's champ who is out to win her third race on Sunday, would like to see more women in the sport.

''Men or women shouldn't be fearful of the channel. Kayaking from Molokai is actually pretty safe,'' Fey said.

Each Challenge participant is required to be accompanied by an escort boat with crew.

First-time Challenge participants Elizabeth Dolezal, in the kayak, and Sonya Lambert, in the canoe, are expected to give the race a try.

The Bankoh Kayak Challenge will never grow into mega proportions, partly due to its high participation costs.

With new kayaks and canoes costing between $1,200 and $2,500 and paddles, safety gear and accessories adding another $500, expenses become substantial. Add another $600 to $800 for escort boat rental, air fare and hotel accommodations, and the Molokai paddler becomes committed.

''Couldn't have managed entry without a sponsor,'' Dolezal said.

While Hawaii's men have dominated the Challenge's canoe division, male paddlers from Australia and South Africa have won 17 consecutive kayak titles. Kalai Handley was Hawaii's last kayak winner in 1978.

Men's race favorites include three-time Challenge winner Dean Gardiner of Australia, in the kayak, defending champ Cole of Kauai; brothers, Jim and John Foti of Lanikai and Kailua's Pat Erwin in the canoe.

Last year's kayak co-winners, brothers Oscar and Herman Chalupsky of South Africa (they intentionally tied for first), passed on Sunday's contest due to high travel costs.

The Challenge fleet is expected to finish at Hawaii Kai's Koko Marina beginning about 12:30 p.m. The public is invited.

WHEN: Sunday
TIME: Start, 9 a.m. off Papohaku Roadstead, Molokai; Finish: 12:30 p.m., Koko Marina, Hawaii Kai
WHAT:One-paddler surfski kayaks and solo outrigger canoes
Records:Men's kayak, Dean Gardiner, 3:24:08; women's kayak, Kelly Fey, 4:12:34; men's canoe, Pat Erwin, 4:23:24. All marks set in 1994.
Information: 396-9164