Introducing TEAM 2 – USA
Meet this US team, with the three racers Kawika Tarayao, Kayla Kobelin and Justin Smith and their support crew, Melissa Smith. Four warriors drawn together by fate, quickly becoming friends by joining forces to conquer the archipelago. Their collective strengths and experience in swimrun, expedition racing, and endurance adventures will power and motivate their OWR path as they savor the journey to the lighthouse.
We seek out opportunities to prove our infinite innate potential. We are lured by the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over an unforgiving archipelago. We relish the preparation and execution of the challenge. We bask in the camaraderie between team members and amongst teams in an experience that will give us something cool to talk about to our children when they are old enough to appreciate how crazy we really are.
In competition and other physical challenges, I have discovered a greater understanding of myself and feel the most rewarded when I push beyond where I thought my limits were.
Kawika Tarayao, Hintington Beach, CA
2019 – 2023 – 4x ÖtillÖ World Championships, 10th Mens
2021 – 2023 – 3x Odyssey Swimrun Orcas Island, 2x 1st Overall
2017 – 2023 – 4x Odyssey Swimrun Casco Bay Island, 1x 1st Mens
2021 – 2023 – 3x Swimrun Lake James, 2x 1st Mens
2022 – 2023 – 2x ÖtillÖ Gothenburg, 5th Mens
2022 – Rockman Swimrun, 2nd Overall
2018 – 2022 – 3x Swimrun North Carolina, 4th Overall
2018 – 2021 – 2x Folkhälsan Swimrun Solvalla, 1x 1st Overall
2022 – 2023 – 2x US Lifeguard Regionals (multiple events), 1st Age Group
2019 – Ironman Arizona Tempe
1998 – 2001 – NCAA Swimming: UC Irvine
I am excited knowing in this race I would never be alone. Getting to share some very low lows and some incredible highs with people is something that bonds people for years to come. I want to go beyond what I think is possible.
Kayla Kobelin, Bend, OR
2023 solo female swimrun world champion – Italy
2023 ÖtillÖ World Championships
2022 Skyline Traverse 50k 3rd place female
2020 – Ran a 100k on my treadmill cause I got bored in 8.3 hours
2018- 2022 – Professional triathlete with multiple top 10 finishes
2019 Odyssey swimrun Orcas Island – 3rd place female team
2019 Most winning female on CBS show “Million Dollar Mile”
2017 Toughest mudder LA(12 hour race) 4th place female
2017 World’s toughest mudder (24 hour race) 5th place female
I love squeaking out every bit of myself and our team and am excited for the dawn and dusk swims. I am elated to be racing for something much bigger than myself and my team and hope to share the enthusiasm with others.
Justin Smith, Santa Cruz, CA
2023 Expedition Ozarks (7th Place Cleared Course)
2022 Expedition Panama
2022 One Water Race Sweden
2021 Expedition Oregon 100 hr Adventure Race (5th Place Cleared Course)
2021 NavX Orienteering Series, Bay Area Traverse and Henry HardCoere 100.
2020 Trans Northern CA 400 (1st- 50hr)
2019 World’s Toughest Race EcoChallenge Fiji Team Curl
2018 Colorado Trail Race 500 (5th- 5d5hr), Portugal/ Spain Camino de Santiago Cycling Tour
2017 AZTR 750 (1st- 8d5hr), TransNorthern CA 400 (2nd- 52hr), Stagecoach 400 (ITT 62 hrs), 27 day Arctic sea-kayaking expedition in Norway
2016 Stagecoach 400 (7th- 67 hrs)
2015 Seattle to Alaska Bicycle Tour
2014 Auburn World Toughest Half-Ironman Champion, Ironman World Championships Kona
2013 Ironman Lake Tahoe (Age group winner)
2011-12 South America Bicycle Tour (10,000 kms over 6 months)
2010 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hike (148 days)
I am excited for another opportunity to put my skills to the test and ignore the mind, while going into a state of rhythmic movement, constantly expanding what I know to be possible physically and mentally.
Melissa Smith, Santa Cruz, CA
2022 One Water Race
2019 Bringing our daughter to the world
2018 American River 50 mile endurance race
2017 27 day Arctic sea-kayaking expedition in Norway
2015 Seattle to Alaska Bicycle Tour
2014 Auburn World Toughest Half-Ironman
2013 Ironman Lake Tahoe
2011-12 South America Bicycle Tour (10,000 kms over 6 months)
2010 Pacific Crest Trail Thru-hike (148 days)
