Records Tumble At Fourth Annual Quiksilver Open Ocean Paddleboard Race

Professional
Paddleboarder and Quiksilver Edition big-wave surfer, Jamie Mitchell
(Burleigh Heads) has continued his reign as the World’s top paddleboarder by
claiming his fourth consecutive Quiksilver Open Ocean Paddleboard title on
Queensland’s Gold Coast today.

With an elite field of over 60 competitors paddling the eight-kilometre race
between Snapper Rocks and Currumbin Creek’s Highway Bridge, it was Mitchell
who reigned supreme, maintaining his undefeated streak in professional races
over the past four years.

The paddleboard star, who has been crowned the Quiksilver Edition Molokai to
Oahu Paddleboard Champion an unprecedented four-consecutive times,
convincingly broke his own race record set in 2004 (53 minutes and 15
seconds), crossing the line in a super-fast time of 51 minutes and 25
seconds, just ahead of fellow Gold Coaster Zane Holmes (Formerly Kawana) in
54 minutes and 10 seconds. Aaron Bitmead (Nth Burleigh) finished third in a
time of 57 minutes and 18 seconds.

“I felt a little drained out there. My training over the last few months has
been focused on endurance, so the sprint style paddleboard race really took
it out of me,” explained a fatigued Mitchell. I could see Zane on my tail
for most of the race. I had a sneak look back at the last Quiksilver
turning-buoy and just went for it,” said Mitchell

“Luckily I had enough energy to get over the line and the take win. I’m
heading overseas pretty soon, so the prize money is surely going to help!”
he added.

29 year-old Mitchell, in his busiest year to date, will head to Hawaii in
late June in preparation for the defence of his prestigious Quiksilver
Edition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Title. The race is considered the world
championship of paddle board racing. From there, he’ll compete in numerous
professional paddleboard events throughout the United States of America,
including the U.S Paddleboard Championships, before traveling throughout
Europe on a well-deserved holiday.

The race also marked a return of seasoned paddler Mick Dibetta (Burleigh
Heads), who is also a former Quiksilver Edition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard
Race winner. The 43 year-old Lifeguard was hospitalized with a broken tibia
and a “smashed” tibia plateau after a freak tow-surfing accident during the
huge swells throughout the Quiksilver Pro in March this year. The injury put
his paddling career in doubt.

With a valiant effort, Dibetta finished runner-up to David Orchard (66
minutes) in the Over 40 Men’s stock division.

Gold Coast Lifeguard’s faired well with Shakira Westdrop (Currumbin)
clinching the crown in the Open Women’s unlimited division with a time of 61
minutes and 10 seconds, beating ’04 champion Hayle Bateup (Tugun) with a
time 63 minutes and 25 seconds.

Similarly, fellow lifeguard Michael Chan (Burleigh Heads) claimed the Open
Men’s stock title with a time of 58 minutes and 45 seconds, whilst Chris
Maynard (Currumbin) was victorious in the Over 40 Men’s unlimited division
with a time of 59.8.00.

Division winners:

Open Men Unlimited: Jamie Mitchell (Burleigh Heads)
Open Men Stock: Michael Chan (Burleigh Heads)
Open Women Unlimited: Shakira Westdrop (Burleigh Heads)
Over 40 Stock: David Orchard (Mermaid beach)
Over 40 Unlimited: Chris Maynard (Currumbin)

Prize Money Breakdown: ($5000 Prize money – Only for nominated division)

Open Men Unlimited: 1st - $1200, 2nd - $600, 3rd - $400
Open Men Stock: 1st - $600, 2nd - $400, 3rd - $200
Open Women Unlimited: 1st - $500, 2nd - $300, 3rd - $200
Over 40 Stock: 1st - $150, 2nd - $100, 3rd - $50
Over 40 Unlimited: 1st - $150, 2nd - $100, 3rd - $50

Additional Information:

HISTORY
Paddling spans the ages since surfing's Polynesian birth centuries ago and
has since evolved into a highly refined sport of its own that demands super
athleticism, a competitive spirit, an earnest love for the ocean and a
challenge.

THE ULTIMATE RACE

Quiksilver edition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race
The annual 32-mile Quiksilveredition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race,
presented by Quiksilver. This open-ocean race from Molokai to Oahu, across
the challenging Ka'iwi (Molokai) Channel, is considered to be the world
championship of long-distance paddleboard racing.

Today, the channel attracts the world's finest paddlers - watermen and women
from around the world who come together each year to test how far the
strength of a competitive human spirit can take them. Revered for its
mountainous open-ocean swells, chaotic currents, and ominously dark depths,
the Ka'iwi Channel is not for the light-of-heart. It was this channel that
claimed the life of big-wave rider Eddie Aikau in 1978, when he set out on a
paddleboard to seek help for the his stranded crew-mates after 15-foot
swells capsized the Hokule'a, Hawaii's voyaging canoe.

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