Beach Trading Blog

This Sunday, July 25,  Mark Matheson will become the first paraplegic  to compete in the world’s toughest and most dangerous paddleboard competition to raise money and awareness for two charities he holds close to his heart: Easter Seals Hawaii and Access Surf Hawaii, a non-profit group that makes beach access possible for all people no matter their physical limitations.

Matheson, a 48-year-old executive with defense contractor Science Applications International Corp., was injured in 1993 when he fell off a fourth-floor hotel balcony on Kauai. The paralysis starts at his sternum. He grew up surfing in San Diego, and when he hooked up with Access Surf Hawaii he got back on the waves.

On Sunday he will be escorted throughout the race by a boat from Access Surf. His wife, Stacie, will see him off on Molokai and then bring his wheelchair back to Oahu on a  plane.

A good time to post in the race is about 5 hours.  Matheson’s goal is to finish in under 10 hours, maybe even eight hours.

“In terms of measures of success, it’s being able to show up at the starting line, because it means I’ve put in the time training, planned the logistics and earned the credibility to at least start the race,” he said.

Considered to be the most prestigious of all races for paddleboarding, the Molokai 2 Oahu World Championship Paddleboard race is a grueling 32-mile crossing of the Ka’iwi Channel. At its deepest point, the channel is over 2300 feet deep and is infamous for its heavy seas, debilitating heat, and nightmarish currents and swells that can reach heights of up to 30 feet.

On his quest to achieve his personal best, Mark hopes to inspire others to do the same by supporting Easter Seals Hawaii and Access Surf Hawaii.

Good luck Mark!!!