The Waikiki Beachboys have made the improbable transition from near extinction to potential world champion.

Winning Sunday’s Na Wahine O Ke Kai Molokai-to-Oahu race would solidify the club’s place among the world’s elite.

Prior to the turn of the century, the outrigger canoe club’s dwindling membership nearly sank the organization as it was nearly impossible to field crews for competition. However, since head coach Sean Monahan took the helm 11 years ago, the club has enjoyed a resurgence.

Waikiki’s women’s crew — referred to internally as the "Beachgirls" — will take to the water Sunday for the 32nd annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai, a 41-mile test of strength and endurance that stretches from Molokai’s Hale O Lono Harbor to Waikiki’s Duke Kahanamoku Beach.

Monahan attributes the club’s success and growth to "consistency in coaching. We’ve had the same technique for years. It allows the paddlers to come together more and perform. It takes a while for the crew to come together and go fast."

The Beachboys are one of an estimated 83 crews representing the United States, Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand looking to knock off five-time defending champion Team Bradley — an experienced lineup of paddlers representing the name of outrigger canoe craftsman Sonny Bradley. Team Bradley still holds the record in the event at five hours, 22 minutes and five seconds, which it set in 2008, and thus, still carries the target as the race’s favorite.

Waikiki won the E Lau Hoe race, a 32-mile tune-up from Maunalua Bay to Nanakuli Beach Park, on Sept. 12 for the second consecutive year. The club hopes the victory will serve as a stepping stone en route to the ultimate prize.

"You can only worry about your competition so much," Monahan said. "It’ll come down to a mistake-free race, or close to it. We just have to put it together come the big day. Hopefully (the E Lau Hoe victory) makes the other clubs question things a bit."

Waikiki finished second in last year’s Molokai-to-Oahu race, a result that served as both a reward for the club’s hard work and a reminder of just how close the crew came to conquering the Na Wahine O Ke Kai, considered the world championship of long-distance canoe paddling. Waikiki fell short of Team Bradley by one minute, 22 seconds, and finished nearly five minutes ahead of third place finisher Hui Lanakila.

"We’re still trying the best we can do to make sure our homework is done, and to eliminate any potential mistakes," Monahan said. "It looks like (the conditions Sunday) will be calm, so our technique and changes need to be right on."

The Beachboys spent the summer competing in the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa’a organization’s regatta season. Waikiki averaged second place or better in each sprint event. To put that feat in perspective, competing clubs rarely averaged better than fourth place across the board.

The club’s success is linked to its practice habits, which include not only long-distance paddling, but also cross-training techniques, including one-man canoe paddling — a necessity for training when paddling as a group is not feasible. Waikiki has held the long-distance season in its sights from the start, and used the regatta season — which is composed entirely of short sprints no longer than 1.5 miles — to stay in shape and work on various crew combinations while also scouting the potential of other clubs.

"It definitely gives me satisfaction to have a lot of paddlers that have confidence in the program, but there’s no denying that we came into this season with all our training geared toward Molokai," Monahan said. "As long as everyone is enjoying paddling, we have a good thing going."