Australians take top honors at First Annual Maui Jim OceanFest

LAHAINA, Hawaii – The First Annual Maui Jim OceanFest was held this past weekend at Ka’anapali Beach, Lahaina, Maui, HI, with some of the world’s top watermen and women taking top honors and prize money valued at more than $40,000. Taking top honors in the event were two accomplished Australian athletes, Jackson Maynard and “IronMum” Karla Gilbert.

During this unique ocean sports event, a field of international athletes competed in individual events to accumulate points in a variety of race disciplines over two days including swimming, running, Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP), traditional paddleboard, surfski, one-person outrigger canoe, and elite mixed events that combine the various disciplines. Overall points accrued towards the total in either open or age groups to name an overall Waterman and Waterwoman champion for the event.

Out of a field of 79 elite competitors, Australian Ironman Jackson Maynard dominated the men’s races that involved all disciplines to take home the award of Top Waterman and over $40,000 in award money with the most overall races won and first place in the grueling Open Men’s Waterman Challenge over six disciplines including run, swim, SUP, paddleboard, OC-1 and surfski. Maynard accumulated 221 total points over 10 completed events. Maynard’s story is all the more remarkable his father also competed in the event and took top honors in the 50-years-and-over age group, further solidifying the Maynard family as accomplished watermen. Trailing Maynard in the men’s overall points totals were Ironman Jett Kenny (10 events, 161 total points), hailing from another legendary waterman family (Grant and Lisa Kenny). The top Hawaiian entrant and third overall place was won by Patrick Dolan (10 events and 156 total points).

Australia’s self-dubbed “IronMum” Karla Gilbert became Top Waterwoman after winning the Open Women’s Waterman Challenge, taking first place in the Open Women’s Swim-Board-Surf Ski race and accumulating 197 total points over 10 events. Behind Gilbert were Rachel Bruntsch from Hawaii (182 total points), Shannon Bell from Canada (170 total points), Kelsa Gabehart from Hawaii (153 total points), Kathy Shipman (the oldest female competitor with 134 total points) and Rachel Fujita (122 total points), each of whom also completed 10 total events.

Throughout the two days of competition, some of the most respected ocean athletes challenged the Australian competitors.

Maui Jim OceanFest was seen by more than 63 million viewers in 41 U.S. markets and in five countries. International television coverage was provided by ZONE Media (Ocean Paddler Television, Hawaiian Extreme and WHATSUP). US distribution was on Universal Sports Network, Hawaiian Skies (Hawaiian Airlines in-flight), Outside Television and Time Warner OC16.

Maui Jim OceanFest partners include the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, the Ka’anapali Beach Resort Association, Hale Makua, Maui Junior Lifeguard Association, United States Lifeguard Association, ZONE Media, Kanaka Ikaika Paddling Association and Kai Wa’a Canoes.

Presented by Maui Jim, registration fees will be donated to nonprofit charities: Hale Makua Health Services, Imua Family Services, Women Helping Women, Maui Arts and Cultural Center, and the Maui County Junior Lifeguard Program.