GEAR TALK: TOA PERE'S EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN

Multi-faceted. Jack of all trades. Man of many talents. Well-rounded waterman. Toa Pere falls into all of these categories. Hailing from the North Shore of Oʻahu, it's only natural that Toa prefers being in the ocean and water more than being on land. From big wave surfing to one-man outrigger canoeing, prone paddling, six-man canoeing, swimming for Kahuku High School, and everything in between, Toa trains year-round to become the best waterman he can be.

Competing across disciplines means dialing in a lot of different gear and trusting it in the heaviest conditions. This North Shore winter season, we caught up with Toa to break down his current gear setups, see what he is training for, and talk about his competitive goals for the upcoming year. 

PRONE PADDLING - EQUIPMENT AND GOALS

After a huge 2025, winning the Catalina Classic and coming runner-up at Molokaʻi-2-Oʻahu, Toa has his sights set on doing one better this year. 

"I have a really big goal. I got second last year. I need to win the Molokai stock this year. I want to win the Molokai stock race. I can’t take any other place this year and that’s what I’m going to do… I’d really love to go double single, be the youngest to ever win Molokai and Catalina."

In 2025, Toa raced Molokai 2 Oahu on a prototype version of the Florence X Bark X Surftech Commander Prone Paddleboard. Bark and Surftech have worked together for decades to create elite prone boards with uncompromised durability that the world's top watermen and waterwomen (including John Florence) rely on. Toa trains, trusts, and races the Surftech Ghost Carbon Commander because of its consistency. He knows that wherever he might be racing in the world, this board will feel the same–familiar and trustworthy–no matter what. 

[Florence X Bark X Surftech Commander Prone Paddleboard: restock coming soon, sign up to be notified when back in stock]

In addition to the Surftech Ghost Carbon Commander, Toa's prone paddling essentials also include the Cordura Airtex Boardshorts and the Sleeveless Utility Pocket Rashguard: "I love all Florence boardshorts. I specifically like the Florence Cordura Airtex boardshorts that are lightweight, durable, and dry really fast. Super sick. And how could I forget the Florence sleeveless rashguard. One of the best pieces of paddleboard equipment of all time. Absolute game changer to the sport."

BIG WAVE SURFING - EQUIPMENT AND GOALS

"I got to use my big wave guns from Bark Boards earlier this year. There were a couple of swells. I was hoping for more, but I was mainly at Waimea Bay, trying to get some there and take my time to earn my spot in the lineup there. Hopefully in the next couple years get an invite to the Eddie. Maybe be an alternate."

For surfing, Toa's preferred FLORENCE equipment is the Long Sleeve Hooded Rashguard and the Men's 2mm Modular Impact Springsuit: "I really love the hooded rashguard. It’s always a common favorite with whoever I talk to. The Florence impact suit, saving my life out in big waves."

OC1 - EQUIPMENT AND GOALS

"I’m currently in one-man season, so I’ll be using my outrigger canoe, my Kai Waʻa one-man this year to compete in one-man season up until one-man Molokai Solo in May. This year I’m looking to have a podium finish in OC1 Molokai Juniors overall. That’s my goal right now, to crack the top three, because Hawaii’s got a very strong Juniors and it’s been a goal of mine to get in there."

When paddling on his OC1, Toa trains in the FLORENCE Hydratights and the Aeroshield Pro Short: "I’d say I rely the most on the Florence Hydratights. Those are an amazing piece of equipment, something to keep me protected from the sun and rashes. They are unbelievable in paddleboard races, long paddleboard races, and OC1 Molokai, six-man Molokai. My favorites definitely."

In the end, it is a mix of Hawai‘i’s deep connection to the ocean, inspiration from his parents, Katie and Guy–both accomplished waterwomen and watermen–and sheer discipline and determination that motivates Toa to pursue some of the toughest open ocean challenges at the highest level. Whether it's paddling or surfing, for Toa, "there’s adrenaline and there’s a connection there with the ocean. Being on a one-man you can go for miles and miles surfing huge water. It’s like a next level of bumps. The heavy ocean is so surreal and you’re there. Big channels, big waves, doesn’t matter. I love it all."