Rachel Clarke

Rachel Clarke is the undisputed queen of New Zealand ocean paddling and a dominant force in the international female surfski circuit. While legends like Hank McGregor and Dean Gardiner defined the men's era, Clarke has been instrumental in elevating the profile and professional standards of women’s ocean racing.

The New Zealand Powerhouse

Hailing from a surf lifesaving background in Auckland, Clarke transitioned to long-distance ocean racing and quickly became known for her incredible engine and mental toughness in "big water" (heavy seas).

• Molokai Challenge Dominance: Rachel is a multi-time winner of the Molokai to Oahu world championship. Her victories in the Kaiwi Channel (notably in 2014, 2016, and 2017) cemented her status as one of the best "waterwomen" in the world.

• The "World Series" Contender: She has consistently podiumed at the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships and the World Surfski Series, often battling head-to-head with South African greats like Michele Burn and Hayley Nixon.

   

   

• The Doctor: She is a frequent champion of "The Doctor" in Western Australia, one of the fastest and most technical downwind races in the world.

Technical Style: The Downwind Specialist

What defines Rachel Clarke’s paddling is her technical efficiency in the runs.

• Surfing Intuition: Unlike flatwater converts who rely solely on heart rate and power, Clarke has a deep "surf-sense." She is expert at linking runs—finding the next swell before the current one dies out—which allows her to maintain high average speeds with less energy expenditure.

• Endurance Specialist: She excels as the distance increases. While many sprinters fade after 15km, Clarke’s strength is her ability to maintain a high "grind" pace over 30km+ marathons.

Impact on the Sport

Rachel has been a vocal advocate for prize-money parity in ocean racing. By performing at a level that often sees her finishing among the top elite men in open field races, she has forced the sporting world to recognize the depth of talent in the women’s division.

The "Big Four" Comparison