The lifeline for Hawaiian Channel crossings: Escort Boats

[@Woodstock271]

Me and my fishing partner were race escorts for years. Usually for Chad Noble from Melbourne in the paddle board races from Molokai to Oahu. Jamie Mitchell was always dead ahead of us and won most races back then, and Chad would always tell us no matter where Jamie is heading, “Follow that guy! He’s going to win again!” And one year we came in 3rd. Place behind Jamie. Great times camping on the boat the night before the race on Molokai. And every escort boat crew was hanging the next morning. Just keep your paddler on the 270 course and hope the currents are friendly. 🤙🏼

[@4U812-h1l]

Great video! I had the opportunity once to drive the Foote's escort boat at Santa Catalina Island for Natalie, Bernadette and Chris Barrios. It's not easy at all keeping up, watching out and filling water bottles in a heavy swell. Thanks to Brad Foote for giving me the opportunity!

[@editorreilly]

Why are the paddlers heros? Amazing athletes, sure. But heros?

[@kingofcastlechaos]

That was a heroic comment! I think they meant "He Rows" because "He Paddles" just sounds weird. All kidding aside, there is a massive problem with hero worship of non-heros going on and it's pretty bizarre.

[@mikepalmer1971]

@@kingofcastlechaosI am sick of so many people and professions called heroes.

[@PTRRanger951]

No one called the paddlers heroes.

[@robwastman4993]

I’d go far enough to get a participant tshirt and then get on the boat and have a couple of beers.

[@xbioman7882]

Ran escort boat for my nice when she was a paddler. Did a few LA to Catalina races.

[@JJ-gm4ck]

its a lot quicker by plane guys.

[@onekewlbraddah8460]

Escort BOAT

[@ianturpin9180]

But not so much fun.

[@seancassidy7192]

I love how they swop out crew😂😂😂 Easy to end up short a few. Too cold around here to be jumping into the water🙃

[@bikeradam]

Lots of fuel being used for a race without engines...

[@youcansurf1]

Nice observation Sherlock 😅

[@dapocho]

Any other suggestions

[@philipstevenson5166]

yeah, another western indulgence in place of exploration

[@andyroubik5760]

To to truly know the Wilderness one must go to it as one would go to a sweetheart, alone...... Louis L'Amour

[@jimminniehan2548]

very cool thank you.

[@claudehopper9813]

Looks like there are more escort boats than paddlers ; that's a lot of gasoline fumes being pumped out into the atmosphere ?

[@PTRRanger951]

🤡 They are being powered by hopes and dreams. Who cares.

[@simschmidt3330]

Best way is solo at night with no boats to save you. Then your an actual tough guy.

[@dapocho]

Who is doing this to be tough. You must be at least 60 yrs old

[@youcansurf1]

Simsschmidt knows nothing about the Ocean's of Hawaii. Stick to the land land lubber

[@monostripeexplosiveexplora2374]

that is pretty cool

[@dreammaker9642]

Eddie would go ❤❤🤙

[@buzz5969]

I heard he did go😊

[@dreammaker9642]

@@buzz5969 yup but he sadly never returned 😢 this is why we go, to honour him and his legacy

[@johnmartlew5897]

Cool. So… when are we doing the Roaring Forty’s’? Fifty’s anyone? Don’t laugh. It could happen.

[@TokyoNightGirlLofi]

💕Wow 💛💛💛🤍💛💛💛

[@lordllewellynofdarkdelight2613]

This is like say Columbus discovered America.

[@Deontjie]

These two narrators are really trying to ham it up.

[@skipper6567]

Hope the prize money is worth risking your life. Solo on paddle boat in great white shark habitat, no thanks.

[@mikepalmer1971]

Do you drive on a road in a car? If so then that is way more dangerous every time you go out.

[@youcansurf1]

@mikepalmer2219 no its not. Have you ever been in the channel. Kook

[@mikepalmer1971]

@@youcansurf1 cool story bro. How many people die from cars everyday? Kook.

[@youcansurf1]

@mikepalmer2219 Kook clown. I don't see any Sr. Citizens or teenagers driving in the channel. What do you think that success rate be? You know how hard it is to drive a 40 ft. boat in the Molokai channel? Ya, good one, Einstein! On the bright side, have a nice day!

[@curiousnomadic]

This is so dumb Why not just ride in the boat? At least use a sale if you're jonesing to get to Molokai.

[@Paul-ou1rx]

Oh. I was thinking of carrying 50lbs dumbbells and walking the distance. You might be right.

[@keithb6717]

Crossing in a sailboat is a totally different strategy. You must go to the eastern end of the channel before crossing or you’ll miss Molokai.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@keithb6717 typically what you do anyway, and sailboats can steer. You're not going to miss it.

[@curiousnomadic]

@@Paul-ou1rx What's the point of paddling if you're going to have chase boats?? Either do it without or ride in the boat. Not like they are going to Molokai to enjoy the culture there! So much stupid haole think here.

[@keithb6717]

@@curiousnomadic You’ve obviously never done it. Yes, you can “miss it” and end up in what we call the washing machine where the waves come from three directions and smash into each other. Keep in mind the winds typically blowing 30 from Molokai which you missed because of the current getting funneled between the two island masses carrying you past it. Trust me. Turn towards Molokai too early and you’ll miss it.