About The Documentary

"Crossing the Channel of Bones" is a documentary about a young woman preparing to compete in the Paddleboard World Championships - a gruelling, 32 mile solo crossing of the Kaiwi Channel, also known as the "channel of bones", between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu.

Becci Gardiner is an accomplished board paddler, having competed in the team event for the last two years. The documentary explores the preparation, training and logistics of competing solo, and culminates in the race itself.

About The Race

Regarded as the world championship of paddleboard racing, the Molokai to Oahu race traverses 32 miles of rough water from the North Shore of Molokai, to the South Shore of Oahu. The Ka'iwi Channel (translated as the channel of bones, also known as the Molokai Channel) reaches a depth of up 2,300 feet and is subject to open-ocean swells of up to 30 feet.

Considered one of the roughest ocean channels in the world, it is the ultimate test of endurance – no engines or sails, just a paddler and the propulsion power of his arms. Wildy varying open-ocean conditions challenge a paddler’s surfing skills and currents and tidal effects test a paddler’s ocean navigation skills.

About The Documentary Maker

Production is already underway on the documentary. It is being shot with a Canon EOS 5D MK2 and a Contour HD1080 with waterproof housing for 'on the water' filming. Interviews with one of the race creators, current racer and paddleboard designer, Mick Di Betta from Lahui Kai paddleboards, and several Gold Coast and Sydney location shoots are already in the can. This crowd-sourced funding will assist towards travel expenses and post-production costs, including grading, scoring and final editing assistance.

This documentary is the first from independent-filmmaker, Jason Hooker. His past work has included a music video for MĀ which featured on ABC's Rage, entries to Tropfest and the Newcastle Shootout, and several short films for local filmmaking group, Kino Sydney. Two of his films are scheduled to be screened as part of Jurassic Lounge at the Australian Museum.

For more information about the documentary, visit www.crossingthechannelofbones.com or follow ChannelOfBones on Twitter.