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Geoffrey Graf (responsible for the paddler's special at the Waikiki Park Shore Hotel) is an old hand at Molokai - the 2008 edition will be his eleventh...
The 47 year old Oahu resident has crossed the channel in a variety of craft too - OC-6, sailing canoe as well as surfski.
 Geoff Graf 'around 4 years ago'
Actually as far as Molo races are concerned I think my count is 10 (1986-95) for surfskis and 10 or 11 for the Outrigger Canoe Race. The last time I raced the channel was in 2002 in the Outrigger Canoe Race. Yes, I am very out-of-practice so I might not be giving the best advice these days.
I have a list buried in a box somewhere but I think that I was in the top 10 at least 7 times for the ski race with my best finish being sixth place in 94. I've won the race the Outrigger race with Outrigger Canoe Club as well as a couple of 2nd. Place finishes and everything else except my first crossing being in the top 10.
 Canoe Sailling
For how long have you been paddling surfskis?
I started on an old tri-ski in 1985
You paddle a V10 now - what skis have you used in the past?
Chalupski (SA and Twogood models); C-Ski (primary); Twogood Mako; Epic V10 Ultra (present) and occasionally a Hayden Molokai model. I have used a C-Ski in 8 of my molo races.
What paddle do you use?
Epic
What does your training week look like? Do you follow a three week on, one week off regime?
Scattered - when I have time between work and family. I do it primarily to set a goal that will help me battle the effects of gravity... the damn shoulders keep trying to hug my waist!
What's your best result at Molokai and what sort of time are you aiming at for the crossing?
Sixth Place Overall (1st age group 30-39) in 1994, the time was just under 3:34 hours. This year I will be happy to finish!
What's your advice to first time Molokai paddlers when they arrive in Hawaii to do the race?
Practice doing Makapuu to Hawaii Kai and Makapuu to Waikiki runs.
How much juice do you take for the race? What do you use? Do you take food with you e.g. energy bars?
A 2 qt Camelback water system filled with some watered down gatorade; I also take Gu energy packs. In the event that the weather is adverse it's a good idea to throw an extra Camelback with liquids in your escort boat.
What's the best way to make use of one's escort boat?
Communicate your desired course and have them provide reports of where you are in relation to the course (high or low of the line). Watch the competition to see if anyone is gaining an advantage on another line.
What do you eat the night before the race - and for breakfast on the day?
Whatever I feel like that day and have time for... have a beer or two with your dinner.
 Now that's from a few years ago!
Is Molokai your favorite race? Why?
No. I wouldn't say that I have been successful in the past in obtaining my desired results and it involves a lot of expensive logistics. There are some better courses in the state that offer a wider variety of conditions and are more spectator/camera friendly without the logistical problems. The Kailua to Waikiki run is about 24 miles with off-shore islands to navigate and some of the best surfing runs we have; it is similar to the Cape Point Challenge in the sense that the start is upwind and then you round Makapuu point for a downhill to the finish.
Which of your Molokai's saw the most hectic weather conditions? Describe!
1986, my first. It was south winds and I was too much of a novice to know to change my course; 6-1/2 hours to finish. I got a lot smarter after that!
Describe your best memory of a Molokai race.
They were all good, even 1986 because it was my first. If I had to pick one it would probably be 94 because we had implemented a team competition to the race for the first time, this created a "race within a race" situation.
Describe your worst/most scary moment.
Having to pull out in 1991 due to a severe groin pull; this was the Guy Leach year and the conditions were hot, flat, and not fun! Besides that a couple of shark encounters but I probably scared them more than they scared me.
Who would you put on your list of great Molokai paddlers?
I won't touch this one, they know who they are.
 Geoff competing in OC-6
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