Paddleboarder Charlie Verco wins Molokai-to-Oahu race in record time after Coogee shark rescue

Charlie Verco has taken his fourth world paddleboard title in Hawaii, setting a new course record in the 52km Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race. The 25-year-old crossed the line in 4 hours, 18 minutes and 3 seconds on Sunday, weeks after rescuing Leah Stewart in June.

An Australian competitor with multiple world crowns, Verco’s latest victory came on one of the sport’s most demanding ocean courses. The race spans 52km between Molokai and Oahu and attracts the world’s leading long-distance paddleboarders. Verco, who is 25 years old, had been in the spotlight recently for his role in saving a Sydney woman who was attacked by a great white shark in June. He said he was 'stoked' to claim his fourth championship in Hawaii.

The finishing time of 4 hours, 18 minutes and 3 seconds established a new benchmark for the event, shaving three minutes off the previous standard. That earlier mark was set by fellow Australian Matt Bevilacqua in 2019, and Verco’s effort eclipsed it on Sunday. Organisers and competitors alike noted the significance of lowering the record on such a gruelling open-ocean course.

Verco’s rescue of Leah Stewart in June added an unusual off-water narrative to his season, drawing widespread attention in Australia. Media reports identified Stewart as a Sydney woman who was attacked by a great white shark, and Verco’s intervention was widely reported in the weeks that followed. The competitive return to Hawaii and the record-setting performance came shortly after those events.

Sunday’s result marks Verco’s fourth world championship title in Hawaii, reinforcing his standing among the elite in long-distance paddleboarding. The Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard race remains one of the sport’s most prestigious and demanding tests, and Verco’s time will now stand as the target for future challengers.

Verco’s combination of a high-profile rescue and peak competitive form has defined his season, culminating in the new course record and another championship trophy. His 4 hours, 18 minutes and 3 seconds finish on Sunday adds a notable chapter to both his sporting achievements and recent personal story.