Conquering the Unthinkable
Boca means “mouth” in Portugese, and, indeed, Raul Torres de Sa, owner of BOCA Hawaii, is a big talker; however, his nickname refers more to his massive appetite for what most consider an impossible challenge than his Mick Jagger-like lips and jaw.
Completing his first Ironman—a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride, and 26.2 mile marathon—in 1988, Raul Torres De Sa became addicted to the Ironman drug. He went on to complete 21 more races, 10 of which were IronMan World Championship Races held in Kona on the Big Island. His wife Hina, also a three time Ironman finisher, has been the grounding force in maintaining their brick-and-mortar store, BOCA Hawaii, as well as their 2,500 square-foot loft training center in Kaka‘ako since 2004. Remembering the first time she met Raul, Hina recalls a smiley stud with a dangling dolphin earring who pulled up on a bicycle and handed her a flyer for his triathlon training program in Kapi‘olani park. Ever since then, these two have been hosting running, biking, and swimming clinics together. They later paired up with bike mechanics in the late 90s to make BOCA Hawaii the place for all of Hawai‘i’s triathlon needs.
Raised in water polo, competitive swimming, and the no-nonsense Brazilian way, Raul got into competitive racing with his late brother Duda, who also worked as a mechanic in the BOCA shop. Early training days in São Paulo were simple for these two brothers. They didn’t have today’s energy gels and salt powder packets, so they beefed up on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before their races, stuffed fig bars into their running speedos, and poured salt and sugar into water bottles to make homemade gatorades. Attire was minimal with no concern for sun protection like today; Raul even went barefoot for his first 10k race. However, it was when Duda asked Raul to take his place in a race in Hawai‘i that Raul’s life changed forever. Raul immediately felt comfortable with Hawai‘i’s laid-back style, natural beauty, and family-friendly atmosphere that was so similar to Brazil’s. He quit his job in an advertising firm to pursue his passion. “I am 100% Brazilian,” Raul puffs his chest proudly, “but the islands are my home away from home, and I feel part Hawaiian in spirit.”
Hina, a Tahitian-hapa raised in Waialae-Kahala, says the draw of triathlons is a powerful feeling; but, the draw of an Ironman is a feeling all its own. Becoming an Ironman finisher is a life-changing journey that transforms the athlete with an inner strength one never knew they had. “It’s a mastery of yourself that forces you to dig deep in the lows and get yourself out,” she explains. “You eventually find the confidence to face those hard times, knowing the pain is going to pass.” The determined commitment required is exactly why so many turn to Raul for help with their first-time experience. “Raul really loves beginners,” Hina fondly relays of her husband, “his charisma and enthusiasm is so contagious. The creativity of his workouts and that exercise-endorphin high is why everyone has a good time.”
Raul’s training takes advantage of Hawai‘i’s mild, year-round weather by incorporating squats in the park, biking up Haleakalā, swimming off Waikiki with dolphins, or running 20 miles at sunrise. Raul and Hina have traveled with their teams across the globe to places like North and South America, Asia, Europe, and even the United Arab Emirates. Teams are taught proper nutrition, how to change a bike tire, how to use chafing creams, wrap a bad ankle, avoid a biking crash, and even fit the right padded shorts; but, the true teachings BOCA Hawaii passes on is the power of your mindset and finding the right people to support you. Raul’s minimalist lifestyle and willingness to take the time to listen and talk openly with each trainee shows the depth of his character. It’s why hundreds of athletes have learned to trust him, listen to his positivity, take on self-accountability, and push their body beyond its limits.
While the annual races they host and train for are canceled during this pandemic, BOCA Hawaii has people of all walks of life showing up at their Cooke Street location, hoping to connect to other athletes or like-minded individuals. Because mechanic shops are considered essential businesses, the BOCA Hawaii shop has remained open and busy. All of the bike inventory has nearly sold out with requests still coming in on a daily basis, and the retail shop has been in higher demand than ever before with other retail shops temporarily closed. They are still running spinning classes on the stationary bikes at the shop, but they have spread them out to meet social distancing guidelines while sanitizing them throughout the day. Raul goes swimming at Waikiki every sunrise, if you want to join him, and, while regular weekly activities are on hold for a while, the community of endurance athletes are still working towards their goals and the growth of their souls—one bike, run, swim, and can-do attitude at a time.
