12th Annual Abbott Galaher Sea Man Race

The 12th Annual Abbott Galaher SeaMan Race for One-Man and Two-Man canoes (OC-1 &OC-2) , Surfskis, & Paddleboards (both conventional and Stand-Up) will take place at Keauhou Bay in Kona on Saturday, November 21st.

A user-friendly pre-season event, this race was begun 12 years ago by the late Abbott Galaher as an introduction to single person racing, and as a food raiser for the West Hawaii Food Bank. Billed as I Ke Halawai - I Mua, I Hope (to the horizon, forward and back) the courses are 3 miles and 5 miles, and start in Keauhou Bay and run straight out to sea, and return to the finish line inside the bay. Lunch and awards at Keauhou Canoe Club will follow the conclusion of the races.

Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. at Keauhou Canoe Club's halau, and the pre-race meeting will be held at 9:15 with the races both starting at 9:30 a.m.

Entry fees are $10 for HIPA/ACA members, and $15 for non-members. All participants must bring a frozen turkey for the Food Bank, or donate an additional $10. The West Hawaii Food Bank will have its refrigerated truck on site to collect the turkeys, which will be distributed to needy Hawaii Island families in time for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Any West Hawaii resident willing to help the Food Bank by donating a frozen turkey, is more than welcome to drop one off at Keauhou Canoe Club's halau at Keauhou Bay, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturday morning, November 21.

For more information, call Jane Bockus at 322-2120.