Q&A with Charlie Verco: Three-Time Molokai2Oahu Champion

Congratulations on your third straight Molokai2Oahu title - how does this year’s win feel compared to the first two?
Thank you, I’m pretty stoked. This year has been particularly special and I learned a lot of tough lessons. My first year was all about completing the crossing, the second was a massive challenge taking on the wriggler (stu), but this third one definitely hurt the most. Having three in a row really makes me feel like I have cemented my place in the event. Each year I have felt more involved in the culture and atmosphere of the race and this year was my favourite yet.

The Molokai crossing is brutal - what were the toughest moments out there this year and how did you push through?
I learned a lot out there this year. I foolishly didn’t take Jamie Mitchel’s pre race advice and went out very hard early. There wasn’t much wind this year, and conditions can change so quickly. 3 hours in, I hit a current against me, and I think the heat and the hard start caught up with me. The final stretch into Oahu is always a grind but this was the most painful I have had yet. I was lucky I had put on enough lead early to hang on against Jack Bark and Cam Guthrie and just had to battle against my mind. I even ended up turning my watch around so I couldn’t see the time and just kept focusing on small goals - getting to the next feed, the next runner - and trusting the training I’d done.

You split your time between paddleboarding and surf lifesaving at North Bondi and Newport. How do those worlds complement each other in your training?
I love both sports, and they complement each other very well. The surf season gives me speed and finishes just in time for me to prepare for Molokai. The long paddles give me a great base for the next season of surf. They are both very technical and require being able to read the water. That being said they are also different; the technique required to paddle and 18 foot Bark board efficiently is very different to the 10’6 Kracka.

What does a typical week of training look like right now as you prepare for both long-distance paddling and Iron Series qualification?
They are more similar than you think. Both involve 5 mornings a week in the pool and 2 gym sessions. I try to keep up 1 ski and 2 runs when I am preparing for Molokai but the rest is long board paddles set by my coach and 25 time Molokai paddler Mick Di Betta. The real challenge coming back to irons this year is the early trial. I am working off a 5 week program to get ready and I am really having to trust my base, putting most of my work into getting my speed and skills back. The program is 5 swim, 2 board, 2 ski, 2 iron, 2 gym, 2 run. Recovery is also a huge part of my training, making sure my nutrition is good and I am getting enough sleep. I pay close attention to my Whoop data to make sure I’m not overdoing it.

Endurance racing takes serious mental strength. How do you keep focused when conditions get tough or fatigue sets in?
The first 30 mins of the long sessions are always the worst. After that you settle into a rhythm and the time passes faster. Two of the toughest parts about preparing for M2O are the cold and the isolation in training. I try and surround myself with people in the water as much as I can to stay motivated. I have friends from North Bondi and Newport that I owe a huge part of my preparation to because of their company during my paddles. With regards to the cold, I was lucky to be rugged up in my Engine thermals for all of my paddles.

It's funny the sessions that were the hardest to get to weren’t the ones when it was miserable weather. I think the mundane days, where there is no adrenaline from paddling in cyclonic conditions are when it was the biggest chore. I love the ocean, and I get to race in some of the most beautiful spots in the world so that, as well as focusing closely on my goals, was what got me through.

Coming from strong surf clubs, what role has the North Bondi and Newport community played in your development as an athlete?
North Bondi and Newport have both contributed massively to my love for the ocean and surf sports. North Bondi is where I got introduced to the water and, under Scotty and Jimmy’s coaching saw myself improve from someone who was scared of waves, to someone who could compete at an elite level in the surf.  The move to Newport was one of the hardest things I have done. The surf club was where I trained, worked, studied, and hung out with my mates for most of my life, and leaving felt like saying goodbye to my home. Despite that, I have loved training and racing with Newport, they have provided a great platform for me to get the most out of myself as an athlete. Now I am really grateful that I have friendly and supportive communities on both sides of the bridge.

You’ve built a legacy at Molokai - how do you stay hungry and motivated while also chasing a return to the Iron Series?
During this year’s training, I was unsure if I was going to go back to Molokai, but this was my favourite year of the race yet. I definitely want to go back but I also have lots of other goals I want to work towards. The top of that list at the moment is Making the series. The Iron Series is such an iconic part of surf sports in Australia, and after a tough couple of years at the trial, making it through is something I am ready to tick off.

What lessons have you learned from Molokai that you’ll take into Iron Series racing this year?
Molokai taught me patience, mental resilience and how to manage pressure. In the Iron Series, races are shorter, but the pressure is intense with so many factors outside of your control, so staying composed is everything. Knowing I can handle six hours across the channel helps me stay calm in a six-minute board race.

For young athletes coming through surf clubs, what advice would you give about balancing surf lifesaving, racing, and ocean paddling?
Enjoy the variety and don’t rush it. The skills you pick up in lifesaving - from racing to rescues - will always help you, no matter where you go. Be patient, train smart, and remember why you started: because you love the water.

Looking beyond results, what do you enjoy most about being in the surf and ocean environment day after day?
There are so many things. The first few that come to mind are the uniqueness of the ocean, the challenge of navigating swell, and I just think you can’t beat the feeling of coming out of the water on a perfect day exhausted from playing around in the surf.