H2O Audio Returns for the 2026 M2O Championship

Race week is here. H2O Audio is returning as the Official Headphone Sponsor of the 2026 Molokaʻi 2 Oʻahu Paddleboard World Championships, continuing the second year of a partnership built around performance, watermanship and the motivating power of music.

The 27th edition of M2O arrives with a sold-out international field ready to test itself against the legendary Kaʻiwi Channel. The event brings together elite prone paddleboarders, stand-up paddlers and foil athletes for two demanding crossings between Molokaʻi and Oʻahu.

For H2O Audio, the partnership is a natural extension of its mission: creating high-performance audio for athletes who train, compete and explore in environments where traditional headphones cannot go.

Two World Championship Races, One Legendary Channel

The 2026 M2O program features two distinct championship races:

Monday, July 20, 2026 — M2O Foil World Championship: SUP Foil and Wing Foil athletes will race approximately 40 miles from ʻĪlio Point on Molokaʻi to Kaimana Beach on Oʻahu. The race is the final stop of both the Koa Kai Crown and the 2026 Downwind Foil World Tour.
Sunday, July 26, 2026 — M2O Prone and SUP World Championships: Solo athletes and teams will cross approximately 32 miles from Kaluakoi Beach to Maunalua Bay Beach Park. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. following the traditional pre-race pule, or Hawaiian blessing.

Both courses demand far more than speed. Athletes must read shifting currents, connect open-ocean swells and manage hours of physical and mental effort across one of paddling’s most respected stretches of water.

The official event schedule includes athlete check-in on Thursday, July 23, the mandatory athlete meeting on Saturday, July 25, and the championship crossing and awards celebration on Sunday, July 26.

A Partnership Built Around Performance

M2O honors the traditions of Hawaiian paddling while continuing to push the progression of modern ocean sport. H2O Audio shares that respect for the water—and the drive to help athletes go farther in demanding environments.

“For decades, M2O has tested the limits of human endurance. At H2O Audio, we exist to push boundaries too,” said H2O Audio founder and CEO Kristian Rauhala when the partnership began.

Music can be a powerful training tool during the months of preparation required for a crossing like M2O. It helps athletes establish rhythm, stay focused through long sessions and keep moving when fatigue sets in.

That is exactly where H2O Audio’s waterproof technology fits.

Waterproof Sound for Long Days on the Water

The H2O Audio TRI 2 Multi-Sport Series combines waterproof construction, bone-conduction audio and a secure open-ear design created for swimming, paddling, surfing, cycling and running.

Features designed for water and endurance athletes include:

An IPX8 waterproof rating for submersion to 12 feet or 3.6 meters
Open-ear bone conduction that helps athletes remain aware of their surroundings
A built-in 8 GB music player capable of holding up to 2,000 songs
Up to nine hours of Bluetooth playback or six hours in memory mode
A lightweight, secure fit for movement in unpredictable conditions
PLAYLIST+ on the TRI 2 PRO for storing streaming audio for offline playback

Because Bluetooth signals do not travel effectively underwater, onboard memory and PLAYLIST+ give athletes a reliable way to carry their music into wet environments without needing a phone.

Athletes should always follow event rules, local regulations and appropriate water-safety practices when using audio during training or competition.

More Ways to Follow M2O in 2026

This year’s championship will receive expanded coverage through live race-day updates and a post-race television special airing locally on KHON2, with wider distribution through Rogue TV.

The event has also introduced a new Channel Master recognition connecting M2O with the historic Catalina Classic. Beginning in 2026, athletes who complete both legendary channel crossings in the same season will receive special recognition for taking on two of paddleboarding’s most demanding courses. See the full 2026 event announcement.

Fans can follow the action, athlete stories and race-day updates through the official M2O website and the event’s Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels.

Bringing Music to Every Stroke

From the first training session to the final approach toward Oʻahu, M2O represents the focus, resilience and respect for the ocean that define the global paddling community.

H2O Audio is proud to return for the 2026 championship and support the athletes willing to take on the Kaʻiwi Channel.

Explore the TRI 2 Multi-Sport Series and discover waterproof sound built to go below, above and beyond.

About H2O Audio

H2O Audio has redefined the way athletes connect with music. For more than 20 years, the brand has developed innovative, high-performance audio products that inspire athletes to push beyond their limits. H2O Audio products are trusted worldwide for their sound, durability and ability to perform in demanding environments.