Molokai

I'm doing the Molokai for the first time this year and am looking for a bit of advice regards what line to take during the race. There is a flood tide for the whole of the race so maximising any affect from this would be great. I'll obviously ask around when some more competitors get on island however I'm keen to get as much info as possible.

The flooding tide means everyone will likely go faster regardless of line.

Stick close to rhumb line unless you are positive you'll be better off high or low. If you deviate from the straight line you are certainly adding distance to your race. If you're running with a group that starts to drop you as they head north or south, that's when you might consider it. Once you go high or low you're committed. If you zig zag you'll add huge distance to your GPS track.

In the recent OC1 crossing Karel Jr. led the pack pretty far south of rhumb line en route to crushing his old record. Unfortunately for him Jimmy Austin crushed it 30 seconds worse for a time of 3:31:54 which is freakishly fast on any craft.

You almost always hit sloppy water with adverse current about 30-60 minutes outside Portlock no matter what line you're on. The tides don't have a very predictable effect on the near shore currents which is why there is no "best line" consensus among the most experienced guys I've posed the question to. Often guys will shoot inside at Hanauma Bay in an attempt to escape the current by skimming the cliff but that's not even a sure bet and it's no picnic along that wall in the backwash. If you're closing on Portlock and still running well just stick it out.

Spend an afternoon learning the reefs between Portlock and the bridge if you plan to run through there.

In the 3 times I did it there was always 15-20 km/h winds coming over my right shoulder (lovely tradewinds !) ,it was always in my mind to turn a bit left and ride those swells but they are not going where you want ! my tip is either the dead straight line or "high" which means to the right of the line . After the start you should point towards the northern peaks of oahu (you can just see it or clouds over the island ) and after about 20min you get ito wind swells and i suggest ride them parrallel to the rhumb (straight) line , at the end you have to deal with that sloppy tippy water at Portlock point and its best to be surfing down not fighting to come up at that point (when you are tired!) then you wrap around portlock point and have to deal with a half hour of dead flat water AND a headwind.

I have drawn a line in black (I know its pathetic though)

oops double post

That last black line was supposed to be a rhumb line from the Kaluakoi start to portlock pt which i would do if there was no wind. But the pink line I drew on this one is what i would do if the trades blow , 2 things to remember are that your escort boat captain will talk in MILES if you get GPS details from him ,and the warm waters of Hawaii will soften your hands and make you much more likely to get friction blisters (which is why lots of Hawaiians wear gloves) I suggest you rub your palms on your legs or face/hair to get sunscreen or "oils" on them for lubrication if necessary!

Thanks very much for the advice, appreciated. Now I've just got to pray that the Kona's don't kick in!