At just 17 years old, Ryder Walding is gearing up to take on one of the most challenging events in the world of prone paddleboarding this Sunday: the Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championship. This prestigious race spans 32 miles across the treacherous Ka’iwi Channel in Hawaii, a feat that Ryder has been training hard for over the past year.
On a recent sunny afternoon, Walding was seen fine-tuning the 12-foot stock paddleboard he would use in the race. With his earbuds in place, he glided into the ocean, switching from a shuffling pace to his knees on the board. With each stroke, he showcased his strength and determination, quickly becoming a small figure on the horizon as he completed a rigorous 1-hour, 8-minute interval workout.
As one of the youngest competitors among 33 participants worldwide, Walding’s participation in this invite-only race has drawn significant attention. His father, Jacob Walding, describes the ordeal as “the Mount Everest of paddling,” underscoring the race’s demanding nature.
The Ka’iwi Channel, ominously referred to as the channel of bones, is infamous for its unstable ocean conditions and daunting swells. Its perilous history includes the tragic story of renowned Hawaiian surfer Eddie Aikau, who vanished while paddling away from a shipwreck in 1978.
Despite the looming challenge of this race, Ryder is not stopping there; he has plans to compete in another significant 32-mile race from Catalina Island to Manhattan Beach in August. While both races are grueling, Molokai presents unique technical challenges, as competitors must master the art of surfing wind waves, whereas the Catalina race is primarily a flatwater endeavor.
“I want to accomplish these challenges for myself,” Ryder has expressed, emphasizing his desire for personal growth rather than comparison with others. “I just want to see what I can do and push myself to my full abilities.”
Duke Brouwer, who has witnessed Walding’s progress from his initial paddling ventures as a young child, serves as a family friend and paddling mentor. Having met Ryder years ago during a lifeguarding clinic, Brouwer has been consistently impressed by his unwavering focus and commitment.
Brouwer, who considers himself more of a recreational paddler, noted the intensity of the Molokai 2 Oahu race, referring to it as the “Super Bowl of paddling.” He admits that for newcomer paddlers like Walding, the race will be educational. Navigating the channel’s complex currents, intense heat, and exhaustive conditions will provide valuable lessons about perseverance and resolve.
“The mental and physical aspect of this race is not for the faint of heart,” Brouwer cautioned.
While Ryder has yet to establish specific time goals for the race, those surrounding him, including coaches and family, are impressed by his consistent performances in qualifying races. In one recent competition, he finished just five minutes behind the first-place winner in a 14-mile race. His father views this gap as minor, considering Ryder’s age and experience level.
Ryder’s focus remains sharply on his personal journey. “I want to get to the finish line with the satisfaction that I did everything I could to prepare,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to giving his best in the upcoming challenges.
Throughout this process, he has enjoyed the support of those around him, including his dad acting as a manager, a high-end racing board from renowned board shaper Joe Bark, and expert coaching from Mick Di Betta. Known within the sport as one of the most reputed paddle coaches, Di Betta has coached champions in many prestigious races, further reinforcing the quality of Ryder’s training.
Ryder has shown impressive progress. On average, during calm conditions, he can paddle at a speed of five miles per hour, covering distances at a remarkable 12-minute-per-mile pace. A significant marker of his improvement was his recent time of 3 hours and 35 minutes for a 19-mile paddle return from Davenport.
Each stroke is a testament to his growth; when he began training, his arms propelled him roughly 14 feet with each plunge into the water. Today, that distance has extended to an impressive 19 feet.
“I find joy in the improvement I’m making,” Ryder reflected. “While paddling isn’t always what I love, the progress is rewarding and unique.”
Ryder’s history with paddleboarding started at the age of 13 when he achieved the remarkable feat of paddling 29 miles across Monterey Bay with a friend. Registering as the youngest person to complete this distance during the Bay for Breath Crossing fundraiser, Walding participated to raise crucial funds for cystic fibrosis research, contributing to an overall total of over $56,000.
“I remember that journey was intense and more daunting than what I face now,” Ryder recalled.
His experience during that earlier challenge, reportedly filled with moments of pain and exhaustion, laid a foundation for his current ambitions. With panoramic vistas of the ocean at times, Ryder felt both the thrill and trepidation of such a demanding endeavor.
Jacob Walding recalls the pivotal moments during that initial paddle — when Ryder expressed his physical struggles, choosing to persevere rather than quit. “He made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t stop, and he finished strong,” Jacob reminisced with pride.
Fueled with determination, Ryder sees his upcoming challenges as opportunities for growth. A particular incident at a State Lifeguards training camp ignited a fire in him to pursue the Catalina Classic race. An instructor’s comment about him merely wearing a race shirt without having competed stung at the time, motivating him to take charge of his paddling journey rather than be perceived as just a fan.
“I never want to be labeled a poser,” Ryder asserted, recognizing the weight of integrity in competition and the drive to earn every achievement.
Born into a family deeply connected to the ocean, Ryder’s upbringing instilled a sense of respect and familiarity with marine environments. His father, Jacob, from Cocoa Beach, Florida, has always embraced aquatic lifestyles and wanted his children to experience the beauty of the ocean too.
Jacob Walding, a lifelong advocate for ocean safety and skill, reflects on the commitment of raising water-wise children, believing his son’s instincts and experiences thread through generations of family.
Ryder embodies the spirit of a true “waterman,” embracing a lifestyle deeply tied to ocean activities, whether through surfing, paddling, or lifeguarding. “My life is intertwined with the ocean,” he shared, brimming with pride.
As Ryder prepares for the two major races this summer, he balances his athletic commitments with academic responsibilities as he enters his final year at Soquel High School. Despite the rigorous demands of training and lifeguarding work, he remains dedicated to excelling in his studies, even completing homework late into the night.
His father lauds Ryder’s unwavering focus, explaining that his son’s life is a constant juggle of commitments, yet he retains admirable dedication to both pursuits.
“His ability to handle this demanding schedule reflects his character,” Jacob observed.
Looking toward the future, Ryder hopes to enroll in colleges situated near coastal regions, aiming for Southern California or possibly Hawaii. He associates his aspirations to study physics with his desire to maintain a connection to the ocean, envisioning a balance that permits him time on the water during his off days as a future pilot.
Jacob perceives Ryder’s enthusiasm for paddling as a metaphor for life, nurturing resilience through challenging experiences.
“Working through tough times prepares him for future challenges,” he stated, proud of his son’s tenacity and relentless efforts.
As Ryder Walding embarks on his odyssey in prone paddleboarding, he showcases an inspiring narrative of ambition, dedication, and love for the ocean.
image source from：lookout
