|
With 14 Molokai crossings to his credit, 39 year old Australian Martin Kenny is clearly one of the "old men of the sea" when it comes to this race. His brother Grant Kenny won the race four consecutive times - from 1979 to 1982 - and then again in 1990.
Marty shared some insights with us about his experiences over the years and his hopes for the 2008 Molokai.
 Martin Kenny with Dean Gardiner at Molokai 'years ago'
Where do you live and do you have access to conditions that are good for training for Molo?
I live in Kawana on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, we live within the tropical cyclone region so we can get extremely good down wind conditions, often too windy. Generally speaking though between November and May our prevailing winds are south easterlies which provide good down wind conditions.
What does your training week look like? Do you follow a three week on, one week off regime?
Depending on what's happening with work and my wife training, she likes to compete in Ironman Triathlon races including Hawaii Ironman, so if she's has an event coming up it's Mr. Mum for me with whatever trainer I can fit in. My typical week at the moment consists of 5 paddles of varying length and intensity, 2 gym sessions although I despise gym (too hard, too boring) and around 3hrs of cardio split between running and bike.
You came second in 2002, just over two minutes behind Deano - do you have it in you to have a crack at a win this year?
If I didn't believe that I had a chance of winning I wouldn't show up to any paddling race and I think that's very important, having said that I have had a lot of extremely satisfying results from Molokai and haven't won it yet. The only person you can't fool is yourself and if at the end of the race you can look at yourself in the mirror and say that you gave it everything you had then I think, for me anyway, I feel I've achieved something and that always feels good.
Who have you been paddling with down under? Anyone who's coming to Molo too? Do you know how the Aussies' training has gone?
For the most part I train on my own, that's how it's been most years particularly those when Grant hasn't come up and even then due to his work he hasn't done a great deal of paddling. The guys on the coast who are coming are trying to get some sessions arranged together but it's a little hard fitting it in around the kids and the wives. Kirk Jarrott and I have done a couple of sessions, he is paddling very well and we are hoping to get together with Brett Monoghan, Jeff Lemarseny and Brad Stokes.
Who do you rate as the major competition this year?
You can't go past the old guard, Deano, Oscar, Herman (If he is coming), these guys almost own this channel and I've have the privilege of racing them over a dozen times across the channel and have felt no shame in being beaten by them. There are of course many others Tim Jacobs, Dave Kissane and Kirk Jarrott from down here , Dawid, Clint and Hank form South Africa and of course Lewis, there are honestly ten or twelve guys that could win they are all major competition.
What's your advice to first time Molokai paddlers when they arrive in Hawaii to do the race?
Relax and enjoy, Hawaii has a fantastic feeling about it, it's impossible not to get caught up in it. Talk to the guys that you know that have done the race 100 times, they have invaluable knowledge.
How much juice do you take for the race? What do you use?
Usually only about a litre and a bit. I'm using what my wife uses and I can't remember the name of it just at the moment. (Mental Block!)
What do you eat the night before the race - and for breakfast on the day?
I don't have anything in particular, I'm a very fussy eater so I usually just go for something simple like pasta and a beer the night before and some toast for brekky.
Is Molokai your favourite race? Why?
Yes. I love Hawaii and the course is familiar, it's usually very fast and tests you all the way to the line, it's also fun.
Which of your Molokai's saw the most hectic weather conditions? Describe!
The first year I did it in the early 90's, the wind was absolutely cranking but we had the tide against us so the swell was sitting up, I think the official swell that year was 20ft +. I remember I had a very small escort boat and Danny Sheard, the guy giving me a hand is a big guy so it made the boat look even smaller and I was looking down at my boat a lot from the top of the swell. Coming into Koko head I thought I was doing alright I was sitting on these monster runs Imagining myself going 100 mph over the sea bed, much to my dismay when I finally made it around Koko head a half a dozen people had gone up against the wall straight past me without me even seeing them and I finished 10th.
 Martin Kenny in the channel - Molokai 2005
Who would you put on your list of great Molokai paddlers?
My brother Grant, I honestly believe that if he trained properly again, or trained at all for that matter, he could win it again he is a freak and has taught me an enormous amount, he has speed and can surf and his pain threshold is very high. Deano, he too is a freak, he still holds the record on what was essentially an Australian Spec Surf Ski and even though the race has had slightly closer finishing lines (shorter course) it still stands, apart from that he's a bloody good bloke and a phenomenal paddler, tilted head and all. Oscar, another freak: the ability both he and Herman have to hurt themselves is remarkable, he may or may not agree with this but there are a lot of guys who can all go the same speed but Oscar is prepared to continue to push himself all the way to the line to maintain it. Of course there are the other modern day winners including Guy Leach who has the best record of all, one start, one win (100%), Clint who is one of four winners on debut and Lewis who continually has strong performances.
What ski do you paddle?
Hayden's new open class ski.
What paddle do you use?
Performance Paddle. This year I'm dropping form a 214 to a 210?????
Do you think that long distance paddling is gaining popularity in Australia? Why? What should be done (both in Australia and internationally) to boost the sport?
Definitely, with the intro of open class skis and the opportunity to race on one day of the weekend in some beautiful parts of Australia and around the world the sport will slowly draw more and more of the guys currently only doing surf. I think web sites like surfski.info are doing enormous things for the sport providing an easily accessible forum to discuss events and products. I think paddling product manufacturers need to support the sport and I believe they are, event organisers need to also listen to the competitors. Prize money is a fantastic thing and not that long ago there was virtually none, I've always believed that prize money distribution needs to be spread as much as possible, not just because I'm pretty slow and down the winners list a little but it helps fund more paddlers who will in turn support the events.
What's the best beer in Hawaii?
The cold one in my hand bought by someone else!!!!
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed