Man on a mission

Some call it a bucket list.

Others simply call it living life.

Count Bonner Paddock in that latter group.

The 37-year-old has never let anything stand in the way of what he has wanted to accomplish, whether it is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or what is considered the ultimate in athletics: the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona.

And if it wasn’t for that slight, almost imperceptible limp, few would know that Paddock has not only conquered the highest mountain in Africa in 2008, but also decades of misinformation and prejudice surrounding his disease. Saturday, he is attempting to become the first triathlete with cerebral palsy to cross the finish line on Ali‘i Drive.

There are the normal pre-race jitters, some of which were shaken out during Thursday’s "Undie Run," where participants wear ‘approved’ underwear during a benefit jaunt through Kona.

There is no pressure on Paddock except to beat the clock on that last brutal leg; finish the marathon at 12:01 a.m. Sunday and there will be no medal draped around his neck.

"The nice thing is I’m not out to beat anybody, I’m certainly not there to win," he said. "I think I can do the swim an under 11⁄2 hours, the bike — which is the hardest — hopefully in under 8 (hours) and then we’ll see what I have left for the run.

The Senior Vice President for Young’s Market — a California-based company with a presence in Hawaii since 1967 — has lots of incentives, hopefully a million of them. His goal through his "One Man, One Mission Foundation" (1man1mission.org) is to raise $1 million and continue his quest to build centers to aid children with diseases such as cerebral palsy.

Giving him a boost is knowing he starts off with his strongest event: swimming. After being correctly diagnosed with CP at 11, his family made sure that he stayed as active as his siblings in the pools and ocean waters off Mission Viejo, Calif.

"My grandfather was an honorary lifeguard," Paddock said. "He swam in the ocean every day through his 80s. My family didn’t treat me any differently. I probably am atypical, not in a wheelchair, which is what most people think of when they think of CP. I was fortunate to be swimming early and it really helped with my upper-body strength. I’ve learned to surf — don’t have great balance, I know I’m awful — but I love being in the water."

Paddock was initially misdiagnosed, with doctors predicting he wouldn’t live to see his 21st birthday. At age 21, he was finishing up his business degree at San Diego State.

His work has been rewarding, and it even included drinking champagne from the Stanley Cup after the Anaheim Ducks won in 2007.

"That has to be the coolest trophy in all of sport," he said. "It has so many dings in it, they’ve tried to hammer it out but every time you see it, you love it even more."

Just like his love affair with the Ironman. Paddock said he grew up watching the event and found it inspirational.

"Not being a great athlete, I could relate to the stories they told of the finishers who overcame so much just to be there," he said.

"After ‘Kili’ (Kilimanjaro) I thought about doing one more crazy thing in my life. I was pretty sure that no one with CP had ever done the Ironman.

"It took me 21 months to recover from ‘Kili’ and that took me eight days. This is going to be done in less than one day. I know that it’s going to take so much longer to recover from this. I know this is the last crazy thing I’m going to do."

Paddock was asked to speak at one of the Ironman symposiums this week, and he continues to receive emails from those with debilitating diseases and handicaps who have been inspired to push themselves as much as he showed in his Kilimanjaro documentary, a DVD titled "No Limits."

Paddock funds his foundation out of pocket with all proceeds going directly to projects.

"I’m so lucky to be here and have been enjoying the spiritualness of the Big Island," Paddock said. "I’m so lucky to be able to do this and hopefully inspire kids and their families with some hope that things you never thought possible can happen."

REC CENTER

World SUP finals at Turtle Bay

Today’s free clinics and product demonstrations with professional stand-up paddleboarders kick off the festivities for the Stand Up World Series Tour off Turtle Bay.

Clinics begin at 10 a.m. Registration for Saturday’s and Sunday’s races starts at 5 p.m.

Current world rankings leader Kai Lenny and No. 2 Connor Baxter, both of Maui, headline the packed field. Saturday’s long course runs from Turtle Bay to Haleiwa starting at 1 p.m. Sunday’s sprint course using the "paddle cross" set up begins at 10:30 a.m. off Turtle Bay.

Live streaming is available through the website.

» standupworldseries.com.

Na Kama Kai fundraiser successful

Na Kama Kai, a non-profit association to raise awareness and support for ocean-based programs focusing on youth in Hawaii, raised $17,000 through a global fundraiser at Oxbow stores.

Founder Duane DeSoto received a check from Oxbow general manager Baptiste Caulonque at a fundraiser gala last week which represented T-shirt sales at retail stores.

Saturday, Na Kama Kai hosts a youth race in conjunction with the Stand-Up World Series Tour final at Turtle Bay starting at 8:30 a.m. Five free youth clinics are scheduled for Sunday at Pokai Bay, beginning at 9 a.m.

» nakamakai.org.

Ko Olina Sports Fest coming up

The seventh International Sports Fest at Ko Olina, two days of triathlons, swimming and fitness expos, is scheduled for Oct. 27-28, at the resort.

The schedule on Oct. 27 includes an equation, lagoon swim challenge and swim relay, and a triathlon for ages 7-10. On Oct. 28, competition features a 5K run, youth triathlons for ages 11-15 and 16-19, a three-person mini triathlon team relay, as well as an individual sprint triathlon and sprint triathlon relay.

Packet pickup and registration is from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at resort’s Two Scoops Ice Cream Parlor. Parking is at Lagoon No. 4. Racing begins Oct. 27 at 6:30 a.m. Check-in for Oct. 28 events starts at 4 a.m.

» koolinatriathlon.com.

Vans Triple Crown of Surfing rolling in

Epic conditions on the North Shore this week is a serendipitous reminder that the 30th Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is coming up Nov. 12 through Dec. 20.

Defending champion John John Florence and 11-time world champion Kelly Slater have confirmed their entries in the three-event series that offers a combined $1 million cash purse. There also will be a $100,000 winner-take-all cash bonus for the Triple Crown champion, which goes to the overall winner.

Series events are the $250,000 Reef Hawaiian Pro, Nov. 12-24, Haleiwa’s Ali’i Beach; $250,000 Vans World Cup of Surfing, Nov. 25-Dec. 6, Sunset Beach; and $425,000 Billabong Pipe Masters, Dec. 8-20, Banzai Pipeline, the final event of the Association of Surfing Professionals ASP World Championship Tour.

There is a two-week holding period for each event. Competition is held on what organizers determine are the best three or four days of conditions.

» vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Friday, Oct. 12

STAND UP PADDLING
World Series Tour: Clinic and demo day, 10 a.m., Turtle Bay. standupworldseries.com

Saturday, Oct. 13

BMX
Island BMX: 3 p.m. registration, 4 p.m. racing. Sandbox track, Sand Island. islandbmx.com

FUTSAL
Hawaii Street Soccer: Pick-up games, 5 p.m., Ala Wai Park. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.

KAYAKING
Hui Wa’a Kaukahi: Kahana Bay to Malaekahana 10 miles. huiwaa.org.

LAWN BOWLING
Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., Ala Moana Park green. honolululawnbowls.com.

RODEO
Oahu High School Rodeo Association: 9 a.m., Kawailoa Ranch. rodeooahu.com.
Performance Horse Show: 9 a.m., New Town & Country Stables. rodeooahu.com.

STAND UP PADDLING
World Series Tour: Long course, Turtle Bay to Haleiwa, 1 p.m., Turtle Bay. standupworldseries.com

TRAIL RUNNING
Gunstock Half Marathon & 5K: 7 a.m., Gunstock Ranch. 435-619-0722.

TRIATHLON
Kona Ironman World Championship: 7 a.m., Kailua-Kona. kona.ironman.com.

Sunday, Oct. 14

CRICKET
Honolulu Cricket Club: 10:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.

FUTSAL
Hawaii Street Soccer: Pick-up games, 5 p.m., Sunset Beach Elementary School. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.

POLO
Honolulu Polo Club: 3 p.m., Waimanalo Polo Grounds. honolulupolo.com.

RUNNING
Tantalus 10-miler: 10 miles, 6:30 a.m., mprrc.com.
Honolulu Marathon Clinic: 7:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park. Free. honolulumarathonclinic.org.

STAND UP PADDLING
World Series Tour: Short course, 10:30 a.m., Turtle Bay. standupworldseries.com

Sign Me Up

ROLLER DERBY
Pacific Roller Derby: New skater and youth training clinics, 9 a.m.-noon, Oct. 13, 20, 27, Kamiloiki Community Park, Hawaii Kai. pacificrollerderby.com.

RUNNING
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: 7 a.m. Oct. 21, Kapiolani Park. komenhawaii.org.
Kailua High Surfriders 5K/10K: 7 a.m., Nov. 11, Kailua High gym. $25 with T-shirt), $15 without or just for T-shirt. friendsofkailuahigh.com.

SOFTBALL
Kaikamahine Girls Fastpitch Softball Club: Seeking players for 12U travel team. Year-round practices and games, and 2013 summer play on mainland. Information: John S. Lee, 398-4109 or kaikamahine.softball@gmail.com.

VOLLEYBALL
Lanikai Athletic Club: Girls 12-U through 18-U, boys 13U through 18U, and coed 6-11. Tryouts start Oct. 16, 6;30-8:30 p.m., Le Jardin Academy Gym. With Sivan Leoni. lanikaiathletics.com.
Ho’okino Volleyball Club: Open girls tryouts for 12U and 14U programs, Sunday at St. Andrew’s Priory gym. Sign-in 12:30 p.m. Evaluation and tryouts to follow. For information, go to hvckaepa.clubspaces.com or email at hvc01@hotmail.com.

WALKING
St. Jude Give Thanks: 8 a.m. Nov. 17, Magic Island. Registration: 7 a.m. fundraising.stjude.org.