MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- After only three years of competition in paddle boarding, Hawaii's own Anthony Cambra III fulfilled one of his goals by completing the grueling Quicksilver Edition Molokai to Oahu paddleboard race, which was held on July 27.
Cambra finished 2nd in the 30-39 Elite category, and 8th overall with a time of 6:47:40. His time, just under an hour behind 1st place finisher Jaimie Mitchell of Australia, was impressive.
"A lot of the guys around me were dropping out," said Cambra about the competition. "I was resolved to make it all the way to Oahu."
In preparation for Sunday's race, Cambra won his second consecutive BayFest paddleboarding contest (which was held aboard MCB Hawaii the Fourth of July weekend).
"It was a great competition," he said.
Riding a gust of wind toward Coconut Island, he stayed right behind the lead paddler.
"I wanted to keep the pressure on," Cambra explained. "My strategy is to keep on their back until the last minute, and then I spring forward and take the win."
As a lifeguard at Fort DeRussy, Cambra is well suited for competition in the water.
"I began my sporting career in high school, where I was the state champion in the backstroke," he said. "In 1988, I won a trip to the Olympic trials representing Hawaii.
"Although I didn't make the Olympic team, I am very proud that I represented my state."
Cambra gets his drive and determination toward greatness from his grandfather.
Anthony Cambra Sr. is a retired Army colonel, and a former Marine who served with the 1st Marine Division during World War II.
Because of his family heritage with the U.S. armed services, Cambra has been collecting military memorabilia since he was a teenager. His collection includes a Japanese bayonet that his grandfather recovered during a battle at Guadalcanal, as well as a number of other relics.
Anthony Cambra takes great pride in carrying on the family legacy of patriotism. Already one of the top paddleboarders in the state, Cambra looks to be the best.
"I train with the memory of my mother who died earlier this year," said the driven athlete. "I always keep my family in the forefront of my goals."
Cambra's next goal is to travel to Australia to compete. After watching Cambra paddle, fans have said they wonder who could doubt that he is destined for greatness.