Lauren Spalding
School: Homeschool | Maui
Career: Olympian | Champion Paddler
Lauren Spalding's journey into competitive paddling began at 14, steering her first race across the challenging Moloka'i Channel by 16. Her tenacity and skill propelled her to become a twelve-time solo champion of the grueling Moloka'i to O'ahu paddleboard race, where she holds the seven fastest times ever recorded by a woman. Her achievements extend to winning the Moloka'i World Surfski Championships three times and clinching first place in the Pan American Games K-4 race. In 2004, Lauren's exceptional talents led her to represent Team USA at the Olympics in Greece.
Lauren’s career is marked not just by victories but by her resilience in facing the physical demands and intense competition of ocean sports. Each race and training session posed obstacles, yet her determination transformed these challenges into milestones of success.
Lauren Spalding exemplifies perseverance, inspiring young paddlers as a mentor and role model. Her story demonstrates that with passion and persistence, one can navigate through life's turbulent waters to achieve greatness.
