Kaiwi Channel Association Info on Swimming the Ka'iwi Channel

In response to the many requests Steve and I get about organizing a swim across the Ka'iwi Channel, I made this instructional video. I have to warn you its 23 minutes long. Wait, don't fall asleep just yet, there is some really good stuff here. I would even say its required watching for anyone contemplating this swim.
I have some ideas for the second edition of this video (maybe in two or three shorter parts) but for now this really does explain all the other stuff you need to know other than how to swim for long hours on end.

 I really am working on the next edition and your comments are welcome.  -Jeff Kozlovich

Team Hapa Video from 2013 Kaiwi Channel Swim Relay Race

Molokai Loving from B Yim Yim on Vimeo.

Ka'iwi Channel Association Awards Katie Benoit "Gold"

Katie Benoit

GOLD

Katie Benoit Started her Ka'iwi swim  at 11:09pm on 10/5/13 from Papohaku Beach on Molokai  and finished at Sandy Beach, Oahu 18:00:21 later. 

She stood up all the way out of the water on Molokai and swam unassisted all the way to Oahu. She did not touch the boat or kayak and did not use a Shark Shield or any other swim aid.

Crew

Husband Destin Benoit was in charge of feedings

Captain Matt Buckman piloted the boat

Steve Haumschild and Jeff Kozlovich kayaked next to her

National Weather Service says for October 6, 2013: 20 knot (23 mph) NE winds for the Ka'iwi Channel. 7 foot seas.







"What was supposed to start with a cozy sunset boat ride turned into a crushing 4 hours of seasickness on our way over to Molokai. I had never been seasick before but had also never been on a boat in such swells before. I could not keep anything down. I also quickly learned what great sports my kayakers, Jeff Kozlovich, and Steve Haumschild were - after choosing the wrong side of the boat to get sick on...Let's just say they did not get discouraged and remained positive under"very nasty" conditions. Nothing made my seasickness better and I finally decided to just start swimming. We started the swim just after 11pm. As soon as I was in "my water" the seasickness went away. We had to time our start pretty well to not get hit by the incoming waves...I barely made it but Steve was not so lucky and got to empty the water out of the kayak before plunging back in. That goes to show that even a highly experienced kayaker will face some challenges in this channel...Both Steve and Jeff were my lifelines out there and I think it was their experience that made the swim possible. I'd encourage anybody to get in touch with these two if you wanna do the Kaiwi channel. We swam through a night full of white caps and the windbreak I had hoped for when I finally had some daylight never came. The swells and the lateral water movement didn't help me much and became really taxing over the hours. Around 12 hours I could see the beach....It was just a matter of making it there. A matter of another 6 hours. Finally, about 1.5 miles away from home, roughly 25.5 miles already behind me, I got hit by a man o war. Pretty intense burning sensation but too close to home to give up. I got hit in the left shoulder first and only minutes later took another one to the other side followed by one to the neck and finally to the face. I remember telling Steve to just get me out of the water...He kept a watchful eye on me and finally Jeff swam next to me and helped me to land safely on Sandy Beach. Where one final big wave face planted me in the Sand...A last slap from the Kaiwi channel . I could not help but feel like this channel just wanted to let me know I underestimated it. Assuming that everything in warm water would be easy I learned a rough lesson out there. I am not saying the English channel is easy but this was my roughest swim to date...Now a few weeks of taking it easy and then we'll start cold training for Ireland next July...This seven oceans adventure has been a great journey so far  and I feel pretty grateful I get to do this stuff...Thanks Jeff, Steve, Matt, and of course Destin Benoit ! One hell of a crew " - Katie Benoit

2013 World Open Water Swimming Performance Of The Year Nominees

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2013

The WOWSA Awards, sponsored by the World Open Water Swimming Association,

 is an annual recognition of the world's best open water swimmers, coaches, crew members,

pilots, writers, associations, services and products in four different categories.

The nominees for the World Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year are always

 an heroic and amazing group of individuals with exceptionally inspirational exploits, histories

 and lifestyles. This year presents an especially accomplished field of individuals.

The WOWSA Awards are not necessarily only for the best athletes, but are meant to

honor the men and women who:

* best embody the spirit of open water swimming,

* possess the sense of adventure, tenacity and perseverance that open water swimmers

are known for, and

* have most positively influenced the world of open water swimming in any calendar year.

The 2013 WOWSA Open Water Swimming Performance of the Year nominees include:

1. BCT Gdynia Marathon, Prizing the Pros (Poland)

2. Bering Strait Swim, Crossing from Asia to America (International)

3. Emily Brunemann, FINA World Cup Winner (U.S.A.)

4. Héctor Ramírez Ballesteros, Battling Butterfly From Spain to Gibraltar (Spain)

5. Ka'iwi Channel Swim, Making the Most of Molokai (Hawaii)

6. Mateusz Sawrymowicz, The Polish Tiburon (Poland)

7. Melissa Cunningham, Every Stroke Counts (Australia)

8. Mohamed Marouf, Energizing Egypt (Egypt)

9. Ned Denison, 9 Swims Around The World (Ireland)

10. Night Train Swimmers, California Coastal Cruising (U.S.A.)

11. Richard Weinberger, Chasing Gold (Canada)

12. Swim4Good, Strait of Gibraltar Charity Crossing (Mexico)

13. Sylvain Estadieu, Flying Frenchman (France)

14. Wendy Trehiou, Two-way Toughness (Jersey)

15. Women’s 10K World Championship, Pack Finishing Fast (International)

MORE

Ka'iwi Channel Swim Race Video

Ka'iwi Channel Swim Race Video

A Very Close Second

The second place team was FAST too. Team Terence should be proud.

Experience wins with a time of 9:53 with Youth close behind with a time od 9:56