First, Kody. This is his first channel crossing at 15 years old, riding a 14’8″ produciton Starboard!

Kody Kerbox   Molokai Channel Crossing Pre Race Interview:

 
Suzie: What challenges might you face?  Do you feel you are trained enough and if yes, what is / are your strategy to overcome them?

Kody: The biggest challenge I will face is being extremely tired at the end of the race and having to work the hardest then. I think I am trained enough and I am just going to have to put everything I got and just know that it will be worth it in the end.

Suzie: Can you give me a snapshot of what you do train for an event like this? A typical training session?

Kody: To train like this you have to spend most your time paddling and keeping active. A typical training day would be paddling 1 or 2 10-mile runs, one straight after another.

Suzie: Who do you think this year, will give you the biggest run for your money?  Who will you be keeping an eye on?

Kody: I am not sure everybody has been training really hard and they’re all super fast. I will be keeping an eye on one of my best friends Kai Lenny. He is doing it with Michi Scweiger and they are really fast, if we can keep up with them I will be super stoked.

Suzie: What will be the greatest thrill for you at the end of day?

Kody: Just knowing that I accomplished something great and had a good experience.

Buzzy Kerbox:  Molokai Channel Crossing Pre Race Interview:

Suzie: What will be different in this race compared to last year? 
Buzzy:  I will have a different partner this year 58 year old Victor Lopez.  We will be riding my same F16 from last year.  There are a lot more teams this year as the popularity of this sport grows.  This will put us in the over 100 years combined division with Gerry Lopez, Victor’s brother.

Suzie: What challenges might you face?  Do you feel you are trained enough and if yes, what is / are your strategy to overcome them?

Buzzy: The channel conditions are always a big challenge. I want windy, windy, windy but it looks like the forecast is for light winds.   It means my surfing the swells will be more like non-stop paddling.   It will be a lot more work and way less fun.   So we will have to keep a steady pace and hope we get there sooner than later.
 
Suzie: Can you give me a snapshot of what you do train for an event like this? A typical training session?
Buzzy: I paddle 3-4 times a week 10 miles a session. Then do double runs as race day approaches.  Normally we have a good trade winds blowing and with my music playing the workouts are very enjoyable.  Then I do some beach workouts with running and exercises.

Suzie: Who do you think this year, will give you the biggest run for your money?  Who will you be keeping an eye on?
Buzzy: There are so many fast teams, not sure who will be near us.  I will be keeping an eye on any team close enough in front of us to try and catch.

Suzie: What will be the greatest thrill for you at the end of day?
Buzzy: Knowing that it is over and I can then relax and drink a cold beer and knowing that my son just did his first channel crossing.
Check out Buzzy’s cool site:  www.kerbox.com

Buzzy and Kody, we all wish you a great day of racing and fun. Hopefully the conditions will be on your side, and the winds pick up a bit.

I’m sure you’re both looking forward to a big party on the other end, and Kristin is a proud wife and mom! Send some photos! Thanks for inspiring so many. Suzie Cooney