Introducing TEAM 7 – USA
“There is no question that our goal is to touch that lighthouse door and be the first USA team to complete One Water Race. We now understand so much better what it takes to race well at One Water Race. We have learned so many lessons and have completely revamped our strategy.”
I absolutely loved my experience last year, despite the outcome. Not a day goes by without thinking about the race, my team, and what we would do differently given the chance.
Kawika Tarayao, Huntington Beach, CA
2024 One Water Race, DNF after 32 hours and 132 km
2019 – 2024 – 5x ÖtillÖ World Championships, 5th Mixed, 10th Mens
2024 – ÖtillÖ Whistler, 2nd 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
Having just a taste last year of One Water Race, the organization, the people running the show and the course itself: It has made me hungry for the entire course every single day.
Kayla Kobelin, Bend, OR
2024 – One Water Race, DNF after 32 hours and 132 km
2024 – ÖtillÖ World Championships 5th Mixed
2024 – ÖtillÖ Whistler, 1st solo female
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 know that there are a lot of challenges and races out there that can test the mental and physical aspects of the human spirit, but there is just a single One Water Race.
Justin Smith, Santa Cruz, CA
2024 – One Water Race, DNF, 32 hours 132 km
2023 – Tour Divide Race 4400km, 16 days 8 hours, (3rd USA, 8th overall)
2023 – Expedition Ozarks (7th Place Cleared Course)
2022 – Expedition Panama, One Water Race (50 hrs)
2021 – Expedition Oregon 100 hr Adventure Race (5th Place Cleared Course), NavX Orienteering Series, Bay Area Traverse and Henry HardCore 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
We have unfinished business amongst these islands, and I know this team is absolutely capable of touching the lighthouse door in Landsort.
Melissa Smith, Santa Cruz, CA
2024 – One Water Race, DNF after 32 hours and 132 km
2023 – PNW Orienteering Championships – 4th place
2022 – One Water Race Team 7 DNF at 60 hour mark
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)
