Daunting challenges are made to be conquered. Crossing the Ka’iwi Channel in Hawaii, a 28-mile stretch also known as the “Channel of Bones,” is one like none other. Still, Chris Esibill and Hugh Shields set out to conquer the course in this year’s Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships on July 28.

“I’ve been lifeguarding since I was 16 years old, and it’s always something I’ve wanted to do,” said Esibill, a native of the Philadelphia area who spends his summers as the Beach Haven Beach Patrol Lifeguard-in-Training instructor. “Why I waited until I was 46, I’m not sure.