Charlie Verco, a 24-year-old volunteer lifeguard from Sydney who helped save a woman attacked by a shark at Coogee Beach, has won the world paddleboarding championship for the fourth time. The event took place on Sunday, July 27th, 2026, amid hurricane conditions in Hawaii.

Verco competed in the 27th Moloka'i 2 O'ahu Paddleboard World Championships, a 52-kilometre open ocean race crossing the Kaiwi Channel, also known as the "Channel of Bones" for its marine life including sharks and jellyfish. The race is widely regarded as the sport's ultimate open-ocean endurance challenge, testing paddlers' skills, endurance, and ocean knowledge.

Finishing the race in 4 hours, 18 minutes, and 3 seconds, Verco broke the world record. He described feeling better in body and mind than ever after the race and expressed pride in setting the record. He also noted concerns about a nearby cyclone but said it stayed far enough away to provide favorable wind conditions.

Race organisers reported that more than 35 Australians competed in the prone paddleboard competition, with fellow Australians Stewart Mclachlan, 38, and Stone Harrison, 28, finishing second and third respectively.

Verco reflected on his years of dedicated training, stating, "I've put years and years of work into it training two to three times a day, six days a week." He also acknowledged the importance of respecting the ocean, a lesson reinforced by his recent shark rescue experience.

Sources