FIELD NOTES: TOA PERE'S ROAD TO MOLOKA'I
Outrigger paddler, prone paddler, surfer, and all-around waterman, Toa Pere is in the thick of training for some of the most prestigious ocean races in the world. With the Moloka’i Solo race just around the corner, Toa has been putting in long hours on the water. We caught up with him during his final training push to hear more about the gear he trusts, his mindset on the water, and the goals driving him forward.
Interview by Tony Wodarck
What gear are you relying on during your long training sessions?
When I’m out doing those long three- to four-hour paddles, I usually wear the Hydratights or the AeroShield Pro Shorts. I’ll also throw on one of the Florence Airtex Tops or the Airtex Tank. I wear the Pro Shield Shorts and compression pants mainly for rash protection and sun damage—because I can get pretty burnt up out there. The Hydratights really help prevent that. The Airtex shirts keep me cool too. I’ll soak them before I head out, and they hold just enough water to cool me down without slowing me down. They feel super light, which is perfect for those long efforts.
How do you fuel your body to sustain those extended sessions?
I bring a CamelBak with me filled with Tailwind drink mix. It’s packed with electrolytes and salt—everything I need. I’ll usually have some Clif Bloks with me too, just in case I start to fade and need a quick boost.
How do you balance training for outrigger paddling with other passions like big wave surfing and prone paddling?
I train in seasons. Big wave surf season is from October to January or February. Then it’s one-man outrigger season from February through May for Moloka’i. After that, I jump straight into paddleboard season from May through September, finishing it off with the Catalina Classic. Last year I even jumped into the six-man Moloka’i Hoe with the Lanikai juniors—and we ended up winning. No regrets! It’s a nonstop cycle, but switching focus keeps everything fresh and exciting.
What parallels do you see across all the sports you’re involved in?
All of these sports are connected by the ocean. I’m always learning—whether it’s reading bumps while paddling, navigating big surf, or training on the prone board. That continuous learning builds a stronger relationship with the ocean, and that connection fuels everything I do.
When the conditions get tough during a long paddle, how do you mentally stay in it?
Your mind can really start to wander, especially when it’s flat. I just breathe and bring myself back to why I’m there—to paddle, to train. It helps to have a downwind run to stay engaged or even a friend or music with you. But mostly, it’s about focusing and staying present.
You compete at a high level across several disciplines. What helps you maintain that edge?
It’s all about my connection to the ocean. The training overlaps between sports because they’re all ocean-based. Plus, working in seasons lets me dial in on one discipline, then switch focus and refresh. That rotation helps keep me sharp and motivated.
Is there a particular training moment that stands out to you?
One day, during a long paddle with my dad, I was losing it mentally about an hour and a half in. So I decided to close my eyes while paddling. I started feeling the ocean lifting and falling under me, feeling the bumps rise beneath my tail. When I opened my eyes, I realized I had caught so many little runners that I would’ve missed otherwise. That moment deepened my trust in the ocean—it made me realize how connected we really are.
Who are your mentors in paddling and ocean sports?
My dad is one. He’s a Moloka’i champion in paddleboarding and did it all—surf ski, six-man, paddleboard, big wave surfing. He’s been a huge inspiration. I also look up to Duke Kahanamoku for his deep love of the ocean and the way he lived his life completely connected to it. That connection, that sense of the ocean being a guiding force, is what I aspire to.
What’s on your radar in the next few months?
We’re in April right now. I have Mōrerea to Moloka’i next weekend, then Moloka’i Solo on the one-man canoe—a huge goal for me this season. After that, I’ll switch over to paddleboarding, aiming for a top-three finish at the Moloka’i 2 Oahu race in the Stock Division. It’s going to take a lot of training, but I’m excited. Then I’ll race the Catalina Classic in August. And next winter, it’s right back to chasing big waves at Waimea Bay.
What inspired you to focus so much on the Moloka’i Solo?
I don’t think of it as my peak race, but it’s definitely a major goal this season. The junior division is super competitive, and I want to push myself. The bar has been raised, and I’ve been training harder than ever. I’m hoping all that work transfers into my paddleboard season too. I just want to stay connected to the ocean and see where it takes me.
At 16 years old, Toa Pere isn’t just training for races—he’s building on his connection with the ocean, one mile at a time. With big goals on the horizon and a humble mindset, he’s setting the tone for a generation of ocean athletes who chase more than podiums. They chase connection. And for Toa, that’s the real win.
SHOP TOA'S TESTED GEAR
Leave a comment