photos courtesy of Lisa Irish and Joem Costas

Name: Kanesa Duncan
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Age: 33
Years Paddling: 9

Weekly Mileage:
Winter = 0-10 miles, Summer = 30-60

Preferred board length to paddle:
Unlimited @ 15 feet

Favorite Paddle route:
The usual would be downwind from Hawaii Kai to town

Favorite race:
Molokai channel

I Started Paddling Because:
I love the ocean, and I love the way paddling combines swimming and surfing together. Also, I really had this burning desire to cross the Molokai channel.

Best Paddling Experience to Date:
Molokai Channel 2004 – At that time, I was still paddling stock. My board, an Eaton 12’er, was melted across the entire bottom from the transport over (think golf ball), and I had to race it anyway. The channel ended up being just perfect – 32 miles of lined up swells. I finished and was not even tired – I swear, it was the most awesome, most fun race ever. I was the 1st place female (5:53.49) and set a new female record by 54 minutes (16th overall, 4th overall stock). I know I’ve gotten faster now, and I’m racing unlimited, but the closest I’ve been to that record time was 6:05.05 in 2007.

Favorite Thing About Paddling:
Riding swells in the ocean, the amazing boards we have now (I’ve had the pleasure of working with two of the best shapers in the world: Mike Eaton and Joe Bark), and of course the great people who paddle – it’s like a family!

Thing I Hate Most About Paddling:
Choosing between surfing and paddling when there is swell, but I’m training for a paddleboard race.

What I Tell Myself to Motivate on Days I Just Don't Want to Paddle:
“You know you will feel so much better if you just go do it.”

Best "Oh Crap" Moment While In Middle of Ocean:
I saw a big tiger shark (~13 feet) during the Cline Mann race (16 miles – Makapuu to Kaimana Beach), but I have to say that both whales and jelly fish scare me more. I had a “baby” humpback whale almost land on top of me while it practiced breaching off of Sandy Beach. Other paddlers stopped to come “pick up the pieces” – luckily it missed me. But, my biggest “oh crap” moment happened when I was paddling alone off of the island of Kauai this year. I got caught in a current full of portugese man-of-war (a.k.a. Physalia or pochos). I got stung so bad I was convulsing. I could not get the tentacles off my board; they were wrapped around the skeg, the water bottle holder, and me. Luckily I was paddling in long XCEL pants and a long sleeve rash guard, but they still stung the heck out of me. I was unsure if my body would recover enough to let me paddle in….

iPods While Paddling: Godsend or Good Grief?
Love ‘em. But I only use one ear piece. I think it’s good to hear the ocean.

There's a Head High Swell on a Glassy Day. What do you do? (surf or paddle):
Surf.

Paddling Season (which month to which month):
April - August

Bright and early, or nightcap?
Both, but probably more early sessions. It’s just easier to make sure it happens!

Downwind paddle or wait for down winds (glassy):
No question. Downwind. It’s why I paddle. --------------------