Travis Grant insists he is “not an emotional guy.”

However, after spending nearly four hours battling the wind, waves and currents across the treacherous Ka‘iwi Channel over 32 miles of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), Grant could not contain his emotions.

The 34-year-old Australian claimed gold in the “unlimited” SUP division of the 21st annual Molokai-2-Oahu Paddleboard World Championships on Sunday, and did so in a record time of 3 hours, 59 minutes and 52 seconds. After completing the race that spanned from Kaluakoi on Molokai’s northwest coast, through the infamous channel and finished in Maunalua Bay on Oahu’s south shore, Grant was met by his wife Blair and 9-month-old son Hugo.

“When I first won this race it was a dream come true, but the more you do it and especially now that I live here, I’ve received so much local support, and it really got to me,” Grant said. “We just had a baby, and I was out there coming around (Koko Head) and I got so emotional thinking about my son and hearing all my friends out on canoes supporting me that I fell (off his SUP board).

Grant held off Maui’s two-time event champion Connor Baxter (4:03:46), and broke the mark set by defending champion Kai Lenny of Maui, who set the previous record of 4 hours, 7 minutes and 41 seconds last year. Lenny did not compete this year as the multi-talented waterman prepares for 20-25 foot surf at the Puerto Escondido (Mexico) Challenge as part of the World Surf League Big Wave Tour.

“It took so much energy, but I know these waters and train here, so I said, ‘I’m stronger than him and I can do this.’ I nearly gave up, but the local community accepting me really spurred me on. To break four hours, it’s very emotional for me because so many people care.”

“That was brutal, it was back-and-forth, but he’s an animal,” said Baxter of Grant. “You definitely had to work for it, nothing is given out there, but I caught some insane rides – some of the longest rides I’ve had in a long time.”

Hundreds of the world’s top traditional (prone) and SUP athletes from across the globe took part in the grueling test of strength and endurance. According to reports from officials and escort boat captains on the water, competitors took advantage of six-foot swells, 15 mph winds and “perfect conditions with plenty of bumps in a bright colorful channel.”

Josh Riccio of Florida claimed gold in the “stock” SUP division after crossing the line in 4 hours, 36 minutes and 45 seconds and holding off France’s Ludovic Dulou (5:14:37). Lenny also holds the stock SUP record of 4:22:14 after winning that division title in 2012.

Matt Bevilacqua of Australia claimed his third consecutive gold medal in the unlimited prone division and continues to follow the example set by fellow Aussie Jamie Mitchell’s prolific 10-year win streak in the category that came to an end in 2011. The win was extra special for Bevilacqua, 25, who set a record mark of 4:29:20 to surpass the top mark he set last year by 12 seconds; Mitchell’s previous event record of 4:40:31 was set six years ago.

“I’ve had the number three in my head for the last 10 weeks of training that’s for sure, and I’m stoked because this doesn’t come easy,” Bevilacqua said. “I love coming to Hawaii. I feel at home here and always look forward to coming back.”

Aussie Stewart McLachlan also turned in a record-setting performance in the stock prone division, and defended his title by setting a record of 5:02:43 — nearly three minutes faster than last year’s record time.

Penelope Strickland (4:52:32) of New Zealand took home the women’s unlimited SUP division title, and the 38-year-old used the “wind, chop and surf” to best Australia’s Terrene Black (5:16:10) and Annabel Anderson (5:16:49) of New Zealand. Switzerland’s Siri Schubert claimed gold in the women’s stock SUP competition after spending 7 hours, 10 minutes and 2 seconds on the water.