GOLD Coast waterman Jamie Mitchell is on track to claim his eighth straight paddleboard world title after storming to victory in the Honolua Ocean Paddle Race.
Mitchell completed the 8km open ocean race from Snapper Rocks to Currumbin in 51 minutes and 48 seconds at the weekend, completing an impressive `training run' before the 51.5km Molokai to Oahu world championships in Hawaii on July 26.
"It is a good event because it puts you in a race situation and you don't get that with training," said 32-year-old lifeguard Mitchell, pictured powering to victory on Saturday.
"It is usually a good indication of how our training has been leading into (the Molokai).
"The Honolua is only 40-50 minutes and the Molokai is anywhere between five to six hours, so it isn't as big but it is definitely good to see how you are feeling coming up to it."
Mitchell crossed the line almost four minutes clear of second-placed Broadbeach paddler Dean Hamner (55:37) and Mermaid Beach's Sean Campbell (56:22) in third.
It was a fitting finish Mitchell, who was forced to withdraw from the Honolua last year when the rudder on his paddleboard snapped as he made his way out to the starting line.
Despite his incredible success overseas, the seven-time world paddleboarding champion remains largely unknown at home.
"If you mention paddling or the Molokai and my name over there in Hawaii, more people would know who I was there than in Australia," said Mitchell, who is also an accomplished big-wave surfer and stand-up paddle rider.
"It can be frustrating. Anyone else that has won seven consecutive world titles would probably be pretty well off. But I make a pittance compared to what some other guys make and can only just keep my head above water at the moment."
A record 115-strong field competed in the paddleboard, stand up paddle and outrigger canoe paddle divisions on Saturday.
Northcliffe clubbie Bianca Lee (62:26) won the open women's paddleboard title ahead of Australian ironwoman champion Kristyl Smith and three-time Coolangatta Gold champ Hayley Bateup respectively.
Gold Coast lifeguard James 'Billy' Watson scorched to victory in the unlimited open men's stand up paddle division in 56 minutes and 40 seconds.
Sunshine Coast Paddle Maker Woogie Marsh claimed Victory in the Stock Open Men's Stand Up Paddle Division in 1 hr 5 and 50 seconds. "Conditions were less than ideal for paddling steering SUP boards - with the wind coming over your left shoulder for most of the race made for hard paddling".
Overall Results
Stock Open Men SUP
65.50 Woogie Marsh
70.33 Troy Pease
72.59 James Brydon
76.13 William Moore
76.18 Simon Kealley
76.26 Ross Munro
76.42 Noel Graham
77.10 Bryan Balthazaar
77.26 Guy Walker
78.52 Luke Egan
78.52 Wes Berg
80.58 Andrew Shield
81.40 Gavin Smith
83.07 John Daniel
87.28 John Mossop
88.32 Roke Rickard
90.50 Sam Dore
92.04 Chris James
92.15 Tim Brimblecombe
92.16 Craig Pitches
92.32 Andrew Flitton
94.16 Mark Traucnieks
94.47 Chris McCall
95.36 Shannon North
97.42 Kris Ikstrums
99.32 Julian Blanchard
107.00 Scott Boot
Unlimited Open Men SUP
56.40 James Watson
59.29 Paul Jackson
59.30 Kelly Margetts
63.40 Mark Huxley
64.04 Sam Rollinson
66.50 Simon Dodd
72.36 Ryan Taylor
72.52 Will Anido
74.35 Mike Marsoun
76.54 Stuart Phinn
Unlimited Open Womens SUP
73.33 Shakira Westdorp
79.56 Sue Sheard
80.58 Jasleigh Geary
81.50 Alison Fullagar
83.35 Angela Van Hoof
89.30 Penny Kempe
Unlimited Over 40 Yrs Mens SUP
66.24 Phil Gregory
70.05 Dale Chapman
72.34 Alain Teurquetil
73.30 Greg Beer
74.33 Peter Turner
77.40 David McCarthy
85.28 Mark Henderson
85.48 Rex Horsley
86.57 Anthony Johnston
88.16 Jeremy Scott
111.07 Terry Gulliver
