Mahalo Brandis for writting the following story. Please share your stories from the race in the comment section and look for the full story in Pacific Paddler....coming soon! Oh ya and a video is on the way! stay tuned to www.Pailolo.com and www.Ocpaddler.com!
I could just write about my weekend on the amazing Jayhawk, a luxury fishing yacht for the race officials, but there was so much more to Saturday's race than flat screen TV's, staterooms, and air conditioned cabins with leather seating. The glimpse into the lifestyle of the rich and famous was nice, but who didn't want to be out there in those amazing conditions racing?
Thirty-one crews participated in the 2009 Coffee’s of Hawaii Pailolo Challenge from Maui to Molokai. It was an emotional race for many of Maui's crews as we recently lost a paddling Jewel, Pua Williams, who passed away during paddling practice last month. The race briefing included thoughts of Pua, and her Senior Masters crews from Hawaiian Canoe Club are dedicating their channel crossings to her. During the finish of the Pailolo Challenge, team Pua Elua was chanting "Pua" to give them strength for a good finish. The paddling aunties chanted for the last half mile of the race, and had a small ray jump in front of the canoe and escort them across the finish line. It was a special touch to finish the race, and remember Pua.
Livestrong completed the course in the amazing time of 2h45min, which means they averaged 9.75 mph. We watched them surfing, making it look effortless: paddling fast, resting while surfing, then picking up again to catch the next wave. They were paddling as one, and it was beautiful. I think they were having fun too. We saw a good whoop and a fist pump when they caught a big swell, surging them yet further ahead toward Kaunakakai.
Hawaiian Canoe Club's open men came in second, ten minutes behind Livestrong, averaging an impressive 8.9 Miles per hour. Hawaiian's open crew has gone through some changes this year, and they were proud to be running a crew of "homegrown paddlers" who either started as maninis or novices at Hawaiian, and are now racing open. The third place went to Kukui O Molokai, that group of very handsome paddlers (of which I got to hug everyone of them as part of the award ceremony- it was my job!) crossed the line under the three hour mark.
Team Bradley dominated the women's division, with a time of 3h20min. They have some changes to their lineup, including a paddler who had never done a water change! Their escort boat broke down, so there were no changes for nearly the first hour when another boat was able to take over as their escort. Despite all that, they still managed to have an 18 minute lead over the next women's crew. We saw some great surfing and impressive steering from that team. Second place went to Lae 'Ula O Kai with Sharon Balidoy and Mary Kielty who just edged out the third place Hawaiian Canoe Club Open Women.
Everyone had fun in the perfect race conditions with four foot seas, and strong easterly winds all pushing straight across to Molokai. Livestrong took the traditional wide line to avoid the wind-shadow of Molokai. With the northernly component gone form the tradewinds, some crews chose an inside line closer to the island of Molokai than usual, and it paid off as there was wind all the way to the finish line at the Young Brothers pier.
Maui Brewing Company provided the kegs of well earned Bikini Blonde and Mana Wheat to the crews while the Molokai Track Team served up chicken and rice, with brownies. Maui Brewing Company also donated Friday night's delicious dinner. Wendall, of TriPaddle Maui, carved beautiful plaques for awards, Coffee of Hawaii sponsored the event with money and gave everyone some coffee in a great duffle bag. Joe Ferguson of Liquidmedia donated the graphics and web design, the Westin gave great rates on rooms for the paddlers, and Hawaiian Canoe Club and many volunteers made this fun day possible.
Thanks!
Brandis L. Sarich
Submitted by mauitim on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 8:56pm
hey, handsome paddlers...thank you very much.
#1 Mon, 09/21/2009 - 9:32pm