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Mike Judd: Paddling to the Top
By Diane Ako
Mike Judd doesn't like to lose. From starting up his own business, to conquering the waves, this man is driven to be the best. For the past five years, he has ranked as one of the top three canoe paddlers in the world. His resume boasts more than 300 awards in outrigger canoe paddling, including several world championships. And yet, this isn't enough.
“In four of the last five Moloka'i World Championship races, I placed second. I'm sick of second place. It's the story of my life,” he sighs.
We met at Kailua Beach Park, where he's taking a break in between clients. His company, Retractable Screen Solutions, is the Oahu distributor for the popular product, Phantom Screens. “I've got so many things to do. I'm slammed,” says Judd, who started the company four years ago. Now, he says, he's finally reaching a level of stability that allows him to return his focus back to paddling.
Ironically, his company's success takes away from his time in the water. Judd spends at least four to five hours a week in the canoe. Lately, he's finding practice time pushed back to nightfall. “Having a full-time business that I run, a lot of times it's, ‘Paddle when you can.' My biggest struggle is trying to compete despite the limited amount of time I have to train.”
One would never know that by looking at him. Judd is the picture of athleticism- a bronzed, muscular man with an easy smile and clear green eyes. The Kona transplant grew up surfing and deep-sea fishing, in a seafaring family. His parents and siblings all paddle- in fact, his sister Carrie Sue Hendricks is the top rated woman paddler in Kona, winning the Molokai Hoe with Kai Opua three years in a row. Her husband Nate Hendricks is also one of the state's elite paddlers.
“Canoe paddling was something I wanted to do since I was young,” recalls Judd. “I had a chance one day in high school to go out for canoe paddling, and it came really natural.” That was 14 years ago. Judd has not set down his paddle since.
“I love being in the ocean,” he explains. “It's such a sense of serenity.” Yet, Judd is anything but serene about his competitive streak when it comes to paddling. “I found a niche. I always wanted to be really good at something, and canoe paddling was it. Because there's been success, it's encouraged me to be more competitive.”
He's not kidding. Judd had two surgeries last summer for a bad hip and a ruptured disc. In medical-speak, Judd practically went straight from the hospital bed to his canoe, to help his teammates in Lanikai Canoe Club take home the trophy in the Moloka'i Hoe.
Judd's neurosurgeon, Dr. Raymond Taniguchi, calls it a standard surgery for a degenerative disc, but adds that Judd is in “tip top shape,” which aided him in a speedy recovery. “I ask the average patient to wait two months before doing any kind of strenuous exercise. Mike waited six weeks, which is enough for a top athlete. The body is well conditioned and therefore responds faster to healing.”
Judd is humble, attributing the win to anyone but himself. “I paddle with the best guys in the world. They pulled me around,” he laughs. “Plus, my doctor is a miracle man.”
Competitors know otherwise. Hui Lanakila's Keanu Kuna has competed against him. “He's a tough competitor- focused, strong, fast. He trains a lot, and I'm pretty sure he puts paddling first in his life. As a paddler, I have nothing but respect for the guy.”
Paddling has opened doors for Judd. He is sponsored by Tiger Canoes and Da Kine, and has agreed to take on a larger role with both companies . Judd is now the Hawaii representative for Tiger Canoes, and works as a consultant for Da Kine to help establish its new paddling division.
Judd has parlayed his blonde good looks and paddling expertise into modeling and movie roles. His acting resume finds its way into my hands, to Judd's great embarrassment. “Oh, gosh. Don't talk about this. You don't have to mention it.” He fidgets.
Oh, but I do. It's quite impressive. His curriculum vita is flush with high-profile jobs. He did stunts for a Mountain Dew commercial (he was kayaking when swallowed by a whale), a FOX pilot for The Break, and the film Lord of the Flies. MTV Sports and the Outdoor Life Network have consistently interviewed Judd on-camera after paddling races. And he has appeared in several local commercials for credit cards. He is quick to add, “That's mostly action shots. Not pretty boy stuff.”
All that stardom is lost on Judd. He quickly dismisses the spotlight, instead redirecting it on other marine colleagues. What he enjoys most about the privileges of being a celebrity paddler is meeting legendary watermen. “One of the biggest honors is to get to know other watermen in Hawaii whom I've always heard about, especially local surfers who got into paddling.” Judd is a little giddy now as he considers a rendezvous with the rock stars of the water world. “For me to meet Brian Keaulana, Mel Pu'u, Archie Kalepa, Bonga Perkins- wow. That to me is more rewarding than anything. I look up to these guys.”
Surprisingly, he says he may one day scale back on his racing. “My back injury has slowed down my competitive nature a bit. My focus is on taking care of my health,” explains Judd. “I've got to listen to my body.”
His body may be saying “relax,” but his mind hasn't gotten the message yet. He looks at his watch. “I'm going to go paddling right after this,” he tells me. “I'm meeting a friend and we'll do 18 miles today. I've got less than five weeks to train for the World Championship. I'm going to go for it.”
Judd explains that paddling's biggest races all occur in the spring, and he intends to enter all of them- capping it off with the World Championship. “I'm way behind the eight-ball. I have low expectations. I just will go out and do my best.”
Somehow, I have a feeling the best is yet to come.
