Annals of Kiting Craziness–Maui to Molokai: The difference between the massive AAPT kite Sean Langmann is sailing with and the kite of a kitesurfer is just a matter of degree. And thanks to TWC reader Dan Phelps, here’s something in between: a bunch of guys who race an outrigger canoe across the fearsome Pailolo Channel…pulled by a 12-meter Naish kite. Here’s an account of the action, from “Bailer” and “Communications” specialist Todd Carle. And here’s the take from steersman Loch Eggers. They survived winds of 15 to 45 knots, and seas of 6-10 feet. Here’s part of the action:

“It wasn’t long before we pasted all our competitors and became the lead contender early on in the race…Shortly after the helicopter arrive we found that the swells were getting larger and we were finding ourselves surfing down the wave at over 15 knots, while Loch ,our steersman, was fighting with everything he had to keep the canoe from twisting away from him and dodging with his paddle and hitting sometimes the rear mounted camera . Don kept the kite steady and keeping the kite in one spot most of the time in fear of powering up the kite too much and risk breaking the lines…And Barkley, our on board dentist and bailer, kept the morale up by telling Don, who could not turn around because he was concentrating on the kite, that the canoe was dry and everything was under control, all the while we sunk twice and we were continually bailing with an endless of waves crashing into our hull, sometimes both of us were bailing at the same time, throughout the entire race…”

Sound implausible, even outrageous? Well, it’s all on video and you can watch it right here. Dan spent some time tracking this down, so thank him, then shut up and enjoy…



Molokai Ho!: “Uh, Loch. We’re doing fifteen knots and the island is coming up fast. Did Naish by any chance tell you where the brakes on this thing are…?”