Founded in 1997, M2O has grown from a grassroots challenge for the legendary lifeguards of O‘ahu to the premiere event in the sport of paddleboarding. The race annually crowns world champions in the two disciplines of traditional (prone) and stand-up (SUP) paddleboarding. In 2018, a SUP Foil division was added to welcome the evolution of SUP racing with the WING Foil added in 2022. 

Connecting the islands of Moloka‘i and O‘ahu, the 32-mile race crosses the Kaiwi Channel, also known as the Moloka‘i Channel and Channel of Bones is considered one of the most challenging bodies of water. Men and women from more than 20 countries will face strong currents as they navigate the fastest downwind route over one of the most beautiful and powerful channels in the world. Athletes ride mid-channel waves that can crest more than 12 feet and carry paddlers hundreds of meters. The annual race is a deeply personal experience, challenging every paddler’s physical and mental endurance. Every finisher experiences an individual championship.