Gardiner going
for record
Surfski world champion Dean Gardiner really has nothing left to prove. But that doesn't mean he has nothing to race for.
The Australia native is back in Hawaii for tomorrow's 27th annual Kanaka I Kai Ka Molokai World Championship. The 32-mile race from Molokai to Oahu across the Kaiwi Channel is considered the world championship of solo surfski (kayak) and canoe paddling, and Gardiner hasn't missed it once in the last 15 years.
The 38-year-old boat captain and fireman is the two-time defending surfski champion, and established the race record of 3 hours, 21 minutes and 26 seconds in 1997 in another of his wins. Overall, Gardiner has nine race victories, including four in a row from 1996-99. A third straight win tomorrow would give him sole possession of the career wins mark as well -- and Gardiner is looking forward to the opportunity.
The career wins record "would mean a fair bit for me," Gardiner said. "I look at every race as a bit of a pinnacle. I have had good battles with many people ... and I'm quite proud of myself that I've managed to stay in contention for quite a long time. Some of the guys I've battled are no longer racing, and there are some newer guys who I'm able to still contend with now."
Approximately 60 competitors from Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the U.S. are expected. The race starts at Papohaku Roadstead and ends at the Hawaii Kai Towne Center.
Hawaii's Nicole Pedersen is the two-time defending champion in the women's surfski division, while Kai Bartlett and Lauren Spalding -- also from Hawaii -- are the defending champions in the men's and women's canoe divisions.
Besides Gardiner, a favorite in the men's surfski competition is Oscar Chalupsky, who shares the overall wins mark. Chalupsky is back in the field after missing the last two races. The 40-year-old South African first raced in this championship 20 years ago, and in the 10 times he has entered, he's won every time but one.
Sole possession of the overall wins record is "a good excuse to race again," Chalupsky said. "Dean's won nine, I've won nine, and I definitely don't want Dean to get to 10 before I do."
According to Gardiner, his head-to-head record with Chalupsky is one win to the South African's two. But his strategy is not to get caught up in focusing on Chalupsky. He said he knows at least a handful of guys who could win the race, including five-time champion Grant Kenny and Chalupsky's brother Herman, also a former winner.
"There's definitely a big rivalry between us," Gardiner said of Chalupsky. "(But) for me, it wouldn't matter if Oscar was here or not. I'd still just try to get from Molokai to Oahu first, quick as I can. If I happen to battle Oscar or someone else, I'll still try to finish first."
"I try to keep a have-fun attitude," he added. "Treat it like I'm going for my first win."
Gardiner is hoping for strong trades tomorrow and waves -- since he considers surfing one of his better skills. But whether he wins and gets the victories mark or not, he said he plans to continue coming back for the race well into the future. It could be as a competitor, or it may be to help some of the younger paddlers, but he's not willing to give up coming to Hawaii each May.
"I just really enjoy the race," Gardiner said. "(Also) my girlfriend is from here, I have a lot of friends here. The race is just part of the reason I come to Hawaii.
"It's a big part; I really, really want to win. But if I do my best and I don't end up winning, that's OK, too."
Kanaka I Kai Ka World Championship
What: 27th annual race for solo surfski and canoe paddlersWhere: 32 miles from Molokai to Oahu across the Kaiwi Channel, starting at Papohaku Roadstead and finishing at Hawaii Kai Towne Center.
When: Tomorrow, beginning at 8 a.m. First finishers expected around noon.
Kanaka I Kai Ka Web site
