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Aloha! Register to join us for the North Shore Challenge. Proudly sponsored by Otto Matic.

The Long Course this week will be from Maliko Gulch to D.T. Fleming Park - 23 miles

2024 Otto Matic North Shore Challenge - March 30th 

MPH’s mission is to encourage participation and competition in OC-1, OC-2, and Surfskis as well as general paddle sports on the Island of Maui. With the growth in popularity of longer distance races, we are challenged with keeping the race both safe and accessible to all paddlers, while still providing the opportunity to compete against worldwide talent. Qualifying criteria have been adjusted to manage these challenges. 

EXPERIENCE & CUT-OFF TIME

• This race is for paddlers with experience in rough open ocean experience only. Conditions are unpredictable and safety is our primary goal.  All paddlers must prove that they have done 20 + mile open ocean races.  
• Race Cutoff time is 4.5 hours at which point paddlers still on the course will be picked up by the MPH safety patrol.  

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

MPH will not review your qualifying information until you register and pay for the race. You will be notified, and your entry fee will be refunded if you do not meet the qualifications. For your entry to be considered you must either:

1. Pre-qualify by completing one of these races IRON within a specified time;
   1. M2M or the Maui Jim’s Maui 2 Molokai Challenge in under 4 hours
   2. North Shore Challenge - (Keanae to Kahului or Maliko to Fleming) in under 4.5 hours
   3. Kaiwi Solo in under 6 hours
   4. Further qualifying criteria (see note 2 below) will be required if you are 1. entering as an OC-1 paddler having only raced on an OC-2; 2. are entering to paddle iron having only raced on a relay team; 3. if your qualifying time is over 5 years ago.
   5. OC-6 experience will NOT be considered.

• - OR -

2. Answer the qualifying questions so that MPH can determine if you qualify to race. 
   1. Please describe your rough water open ocean racing experience
   2. What was your finish time? 
   3. Please provide the email address of an MPH-recognized coach who can vouch for your level of expertise.

If the MPH race director believes that you may not be able to complete the race in under 4.5 hours safely, your entry will be denied. Your entry will be cancelled if the MPH race director is unable to verify your ability due to a lack of information or unknown references. Your entry fee will be refunded if your entry is denied.

 REGISTRATION 

• Registration Opens at 8:00 AM HST Thursday, March 22, 2024.
• OC-2 and Relay entries: ALL teammates in the crew must submit information proving your qualifications for a 23 mile open ocean race, be listed and paid for on the registration form, and  complete the waiver form.  All relays will need to secure their own escort boat and have them fill out the escort waiver with proof of insurance and liability LINKED HERE. All of these components are DUE by Thursday, March 28th at 11:45pm or registration will not be accepted. 
• CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: Please notify us as soon as possible at MPHreg@gmail.com if you need to cancel your entry. There are NO refunds for this race because we use the registration numbers to make sure we have an adequate amount of safety patrol to keep you safe. If you register and then cancel, we have already paid the safety patrol for your entry. 

To register please have ready

• An emergency contact’s name and phone number. This person cannot be racing too. 
• A paddle buddy contact's information. This is someone who you check in with after the race and knows what you are wearing.  
• If you are doing OC-2 please have your partner's full name, email, and phone number. When asked for a team name please put BOTH last names and then a team name if you want to get creative! For example: Doe/Smith: The Generic Last Names.
• What boat make are you using and what color(s) are on it?
• Please have a card ready to pay $75. The price covers important aspects of the race like your water safety boats and MPH insurance. 

• Please note that registration ends on Thursday, March 28th at 11:45 pm. There is NO day of registration.  For relays: if you and your partner(s) don't have individual registrations you will not be able to race.  

What you will need on race day?

• You must wear a bright jersey! Non-negotiable 
• You must wear a PFD. All paddlers must wear an inflatable waist pack, a full-size USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V , or a ISO 12402-5 rating Personal Flotation Device (PFD) the entire time you are paddling.  If you don’t have one go see our sponsor TriPaddle Maui!
• You must wear a leash the entire race.  
• Suggested: water and race snacks. After the race we have a limited supply of water, please have some water to hydrate with after the race.
• Please be sure to check in on race day and pick up your boat number if you don't have one for 2024 yet. 

Starting line long course: Maliko Gulch

Directions to Finish Line: D.T. Fleming Beach

If you need help with registration or have a question about the race please contact us at mphreg@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

Mahalo