Just want to clarify my "complaint" above. I know that organizing a race of this magnitude is a heroic task. And to try and make that race go inter island adds a crazy level of complexity. If keeping the race from Lauapahoehoe to Kona is what makes the race doable year after year, then I'm all for it. But, if there is a possibility of making it downwind, then I would personally be even more excited about that.
I'm just fried from that Kawaihae piece and can't imagine paddling in the flat water ever again.
Pohoiki to South Point is around 65 miles, all downwind when the trades are blowing. Doable? Probably, but due to the inaccessibility of that coastline it would be much more of a logistical nightmare than Laupahoehoe to Kailua Kona.
Sorry, one more post.
Hands down the Olamau was the best race I've ever been a part of. I truly can't even imagine the amount of work that went into it. The course, even with the flat water was as good as any 100 mile course on one island can possibly be. I really didnt mean to bring down any part of it by saying that I would've enjoyed more surf. But, it's true, I think we all would've liked some more down wind. It's in our nature to enjoy paddling downwind. I said it earlier in the post, but if logistically that course is what it takes to ensure that this race continues year after year, then that's awesome and I understand. But if there is a way to extend the downwind portion, then that would be much appreciated as well.
One more note: Mike Nakachi deserves some type of award for excellence for his organizational capabilities. Nobody else could organize a race of that magnitude and have it go so perfectly well.
In the end, I'm blown away. And I want to make sure that my original post isn't misconstrued.
Races like that are all about compromises hey Luke, but good constructive feedback is always welcome by race Organizers, at the end of the day it's all about the paddlers experience.
About the mention of rudders, I'm with you, my comment was just to generate discussion, hence the question format rather than suggestions.
Can't wait to see some video, no doubt Anders and the Kams will have shot some great stuff.
Luke – thank you for your post about the men’s race – it’s hard to follow what is going on even as a race participant so it’s great to read what was going on for the guys.
I raced with Pacific Wahine this year, and was also part of last years Olamau race on the women’s team, under the name Hanaiakamalama.
I too am impressed and grateful for the safety and care for every team and canoe the race organizers showed us. Luke explained it all well. The opening ceremony was the best I have ever been to hands down. I had chicken skin and tears in my eyes. It added to the build up. I didn’t know it was possible for my adrenalin to pump more than it already was – boy was it hard to sleep that night!
As for the following the race itself, we were getting occasional text updates from our safety boat and we had a VHF radio, but the size of the island meant we were out of range way more than we were in range. Communications were sparse and intermittent – I’m sure that in itself was a huge challenge for the organizers, which they handled well.
What stands out to me as I reflect back, is the excitement of the race format. Each day was exciting as the order changed and the gap narrowed or increased between the teams depending on what happened that day. We led by a mere 2 mins after day one. Even though we had the yellow jersey for the rest of the race, we did not ‘win’ any of the next 2 days, 3 legs. We were racing against the clock the whole way! Nail biter indeed!
Day 1: I was on land and can’t report all that much about what happened out there except as hearsay from my teammates, escort safety crew, and Facebook updates. The conditions were tricky as far as I understand. 1 hour of fun and 4 hours of quartering and tough wind. Our team crossed the line just 2 mins in front of Kawaiihai and Keahakoi women’s team. Apparently they got very close a couple of times, although I don’t know how close or exactly what was happening out there but it was solid, high intensity racing the whole 38 miles for our day 1 crew.
Day 2: For us women the surf run was a little longer than an hour! We had fun for longer, but also had the brain-damaging headwind, and under ama wind for longer too. We did what we could in the surf and finished the surf run in 2nd, 4 mins behind Na Hoa (an estimate) and with two women’s crews literally on our tail we hit the head winds. Pure Oceanic Connection and Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe made constant repeated attacks and we worked our butts off to stay in front of them. Over time we managed to increase the lead over those teams little by little. I’m not sure where 404 ladies were at this point. We focused on Na Hoa and could see them in front of us for the next 3.5 hours. It was absolutely brutal and very painful. Wind gusts picking up the ama from time to time and fighting sideways into it. Like Luke said, not fun, but pure racing. The last hour the conditions improved as the wind shifted on shore and we got moving a little faster. We did not manage to close the gap Na Hoa had on us after the surf run, or if we did it was by mere seconds and we finished 3mins 45seconds behind them on day 2.
Na Hoa pushed us hard that day, they are a strong strong bunch of women, fabulous job by them. It was a great race (in spite of the conditions after the surf run).
Day 3: It’s not often you want the wind to drop but the idea of another head / side brain damaging wind was kind of upsetting and we were hoping for something to change so it would be fun.
But you race the race in front of you and off the crew went.
I was not in the first leg of day 3 so I can’t say much about the course but I gather it was difficult and uninspiring. We were still in the lead overall at the start of day 3, and at the half way mark, we did our crew change in 5th place for the women’s race.
I knew Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe had closed the gap significantly on us and we were in a tough spot.Waiting for our girls to show up, watching all the mens teams make their changes and all the women’s teams make their changes we knew we had to paddle like never before to finish the race how we wanted to. It was extremely uncomfortable for the whole team.
We managed a clean change over and shot off form the pontoon with a mission - catch and pass as many crews as possible. We managed to pass 2 of the women’s teams. We passed Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe about 1 hour in (again a blurry estimate). We had no idea at all how far ahead Na Hoa were and we raced the clock. There was also a very nervous place in my brain that thought – crap 404 was sooo far in the lead at the change over point, what if…….. NO , don’t go there - focus!
We were spared a little bit of pain as the headwind was not as strong as it could have been. We found the course bouncy with lots of little pushes. It was not the down winder we all prefer to race, but at least it wasn’t mind numbing-into-the-wind-paddling. We’ve had enough of that for one season.
404 women stormed Day 3, in an amazing and impressive way. Not just one leg, but both legs. Huge congratulations to them for that performance. Way to go California.
It’s hard to describe on a public forum how happy we are with the race and our teams result. The more people that race, the more exciting the race becomes. The jockeying for position, checking the times at the end of each day, and seeing how things change is soooo much more fun and interesting the more teams there are. You never know until its over what is going to happen.
I cannot say enough how happy I am that there was a women’s division for this race. Racing alone is not a race. Racing other teams in your division is. I would love to see the women’s entries move from 25% of the field to 50% of the overall field.
Let this be just the beginning of the women’s participation in Iron Unlimited Races.
Thank you Olamau Foundation, Mike Nakachi and all his team for making this happen. Especially thank you to all the women from all over the world that came and raced and made this an experience of a lifetime.
Here’s to doing it again and again and again!
I do want to make a comment about the race location –I preferred last years race course. I love channel crossings and want to do more iron Ka’iwi channel races in unlimited OC6’s. What a blast. Having raced in 3 of Manny’s Pa’a ‘Eono Hoe’s, I hope that if Olamau will not alternate every other year between the Big Island and the ‘3 days 3 Island’ format, that Manny will be able to set a date in the calendar to do the ‘Eono Hoe unlimited channel crossing. Please. Please please please. It is so much fun. Maaaannnnnnnyyyyyyy, Olamau set their race date and course for next year. I hope you find a date for yours.
Olamau race course is supposed to change every year, never in the same place. A course along the volcano shoreline is downwind, a much better downwind course compared to the north shore for sure. But it's a long course, and there really isn't a good place to stop mid way, all cliffs, and barren lava fields, and vog, only hiking trails, not really too much roads. So logistically it's kinda tough, you could go the full downwind course, and made it one leg, but the rest of the legs would be worse then what you had already experienced.
I think this years course was good. aside from the less then ideal wind direction (not directly at your back) the race started too close to the shore line, that is why you guys were quartering so much. Usually locals go out at least a minimum mile off shore before starting the fun to lessen that. but there's no getting away from the quartering on the north shore. But overall the course had ALL types of conditions, which was a good test of paddler skill and endurance. Olamau race crews are an elite class for sure, and I think the course really forces crews to use that skill in the wind, sidewind, and flat water. On the 3rd day you guys would have had better wind if the race started about an hour later.
day 1 downwind'ish
day 2 partial downwind/side/flat
day 3 flat/onshore/headwind
you can see race organizers kinda put all the conditions on the plate. it's a good way to see how boats and paddlers can perform, a true test of paddler skill IMHO.
So next year hows about DAY 1 : MAKAI PIER, AROUND RABBIT ISLAND AND FINISH AT OR NEAR TURTLE BAY.
DAY 2 : START AT FINISH OF DAY 1 AND END AT YOKOHA M A BAY OR MAKAHA
DAY 3: 1ST LEG START AT FININSH OF DAY 2 AND 1ST LEG TRAVELS TO KOOLINA 2ND LEG CONTINUES AND FINISHES AT THE SAME PLACE AS MOLOKAI HOE OR WAIKIKI BEACH
Anyone not familiar with this ramp, Its a full on, punji pit of reverse to ingress, rusty rebar sticking up just the right amount to gouge boat and peel away skin.
Leave Makaha go to Koolina, then just go back to Makaha. Or Makaha to Koolina (change at Koolina), then put a buoy in the east that you have to go around after you do your Koolina change then come back to finish at Koolina. Too many shipping lanes to fight going backto Waikiki, plus it can be a hella upwind. Also, this would leave the race organizers one less place to have to set up shop on the last day. Ending at Koolina with Disney now there could lead to more exposure or whatever. This course would be really easy for paddlers to find accomodations also.
i understand the desire to surf a lot. but let me play devil's advocate. look at the most prestigious sporting events in the world.
Marathons are hard because running 26+ miles sucks. The Ironman race in Kona is horribly hard. Hawaiki Nui is hot, somewhat flat, terribly competitive and difficult. The Tour de France is horrendously long and is defined by insane biking up the Alps. Let me repeat that.... UP the ALPS! But for some reason people come out in droves to do these races. People ride the Tour de France stages before the race even happens! For fun!!
I believe that the Olamau people wanted to create a game changer of a race and I think they've done exactly that. It combines extremes of everything with the added degree of human vs the elements that paddlers probably can't get in any other race (at least not for three days). So for that they're spot on. If this race continues to happen annually I can see how over time every stretch of the course will take on a life of its own. People will lament the stage two side chop, they'll curse the stage 3 upwind, paddlers will falter in the sweltering heat of stage 4 and rejoice in the surfing runs of stage 1 and 2. Over time people will embrace those challenges and come back time after time.
On the other side of the coin I can see how it would be convenient for the race to move around to accommodate people all over the state. I can also see how it would be insanly fun to surf an unlimited boat for 100 miles. Ultimately it's up to the Olamau organizers and their sponsors. No matter what they decide it'll be the right choice for this race.
I think the Big Island works for this race and the course is good. The island to island just adds so many challenges and logistics and cost. Also the organizers have to have trust in their safety boats and team, I think they have that on the Big Island. Also the Big Island has lots of flights from mainland and neighbor Islands, easy car rental, and many options for lodging. I like the fact that teams can follow a little along the coast and cheer at points. Additionally it appears the Big Island is where unlimited are being built- Pure and Tiger/Puakea.
I would like to hear how the Tahitians thought about the race. It looks like they were having fun and partied hard after the race.
jc9_0, is exactly right! It should be a tough course, it separates the men from the boys. The gap between the leaders and the rest of the field tells all! The level of difficulty is all part of building a professional class, an elite class, and this helps bring a lot more attention to the sport!!! I'm sure were going to see more big name sponsors showing up, and funding their own unlimited class boats paddled by hawaiians, tahitians, or mainlanders in the upcoming events. This event sets the bar for others to follow. I think having the event at different locations also means not one team has an advantage, you have to be on top of your game to navigate waters you dont normally paddle in.
a great deal of effort goes into picking race locations, i'm sure the next one wont dissapoint either.
Well I officially got nothing done during the three days that the race was going on! Even though those of us could only follow basically on Facebook and Twitter, it was still intensely entertaining and fun to follow this year's race. I hope to participate in it soon!
Regarding the rudder issue; I believe that Unlimited canoes still embody the sport of outrigger racing and further enhances it by allowing the builder to experiment with the hull design, however, adding rudders to them, I feel would move away from the fundamental aspect of the sport. Like somebody said prior, adding rudders to these canoes would all but eliminate the necessary skill and knowledge needed by the steersman.
I think that Mike Nakachi has created something special here, and I really hope that it continues for many, many years!
Have to agree with Luke.......It was epic and impeccably organized!!!
I think the women had fun getting to see all those fast guys on the line!
You don't get to line up next OPT, Shell Vaa and EDT every day and catch a bomber bump with them for one change. 2nd day start was crazy! There must be video somewhere.
It was exciting for the girls, no one knew what would happen.....most of the crews were made up of teammates from other crews. Some of us practiced together, then raced against each other. All of us wanting to experience this crazy race, a first for most of us women, as the races for women in Tahiti are not the same distances or # of days as the men.
So again thank you to the organizers for including us!!
Each day had a different Winner......Pacific Wahine day 1......Nahoa day 2......and 404 on day 3
All those little minutes and mistakes adding up over the 100 miles!
An awesome Race!!!
*would have liked water changes tho ;)
I can see how valuable having more stitch options is going to be and I've already started using some of them. There wasnt a major growth but my boobs were a little more plump and full. Disappointed that it did not include a miter guide. I have even made adjustments so I can throw in a little ground flavored coffee while still using the grinder. face lift Cardiff
Just want to clarify my "complaint" above. I know that organizing a race of this magnitude is a heroic task. And to try and make that race go inter island adds a crazy level of complexity. If keeping the race from Lauapahoehoe to Kona is what makes the race doable year after year, then I'm all for it. But, if there is a possibility of making it downwind, then I would personally be even more excited about that.
I'm just fried from that Kawaihae piece and can't imagine paddling in the flat water ever again.
#71 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 9:47am
Pohoiki to South Point is around 65 miles, all downwind when the trades are blowing. Doable? Probably, but due to the inaccessibility of that coastline it would be much more of a logistical nightmare than Laupahoehoe to Kailua Kona.
#72 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 12:27pm
Luke,mahalo for the commentary,and mostly for the No RUDDERS!!!!
#73 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 3:30pm
Sorry, one more post.
Hands down the Olamau was the best race I've ever been a part of. I truly can't even imagine the amount of work that went into it. The course, even with the flat water was as good as any 100 mile course on one island can possibly be. I really didnt mean to bring down any part of it by saying that I would've enjoyed more surf. But, it's true, I think we all would've liked some more down wind. It's in our nature to enjoy paddling downwind. I said it earlier in the post, but if logistically that course is what it takes to ensure that this race continues year after year, then that's awesome and I understand. But if there is a way to extend the downwind portion, then that would be much appreciated as well.
One more note: Mike Nakachi deserves some type of award for excellence for his organizational capabilities. Nobody else could organize a race of that magnitude and have it go so perfectly well.
In the end, I'm blown away. And I want to make sure that my original post isn't misconstrued.
#74 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 4:10pm
Races like that are all about compromises hey Luke, but good constructive feedback is always welcome by race Organizers, at the end of the day it's all about the paddlers experience.
About the mention of rudders, I'm with you, my comment was just to generate discussion, hence the question format rather than suggestions.
Can't wait to see some video, no doubt Anders and the Kams will have shot some great stuff.
#75 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 7:10pm
Luke – thank you for your post about the men’s race – it’s hard to follow what is going on even as a race participant so it’s great to read what was going on for the guys.
I raced with Pacific Wahine this year, and was also part of last years Olamau race on the women’s team, under the name Hanaiakamalama.
I too am impressed and grateful for the safety and care for every team and canoe the race organizers showed us. Luke explained it all well. The opening ceremony was the best I have ever been to hands down. I had chicken skin and tears in my eyes. It added to the build up. I didn’t know it was possible for my adrenalin to pump more than it already was – boy was it hard to sleep that night!
As for the following the race itself, we were getting occasional text updates from our safety boat and we had a VHF radio, but the size of the island meant we were out of range way more than we were in range. Communications were sparse and intermittent – I’m sure that in itself was a huge challenge for the organizers, which they handled well.
What stands out to me as I reflect back, is the excitement of the race format. Each day was exciting as the order changed and the gap narrowed or increased between the teams depending on what happened that day. We led by a mere 2 mins after day one. Even though we had the yellow jersey for the rest of the race, we did not ‘win’ any of the next 2 days, 3 legs. We were racing against the clock the whole way! Nail biter indeed!
Day 1: I was on land and can’t report all that much about what happened out there except as hearsay from my teammates, escort safety crew, and Facebook updates. The conditions were tricky as far as I understand. 1 hour of fun and 4 hours of quartering and tough wind. Our team crossed the line just 2 mins in front of Kawaiihai and Keahakoi women’s team. Apparently they got very close a couple of times, although I don’t know how close or exactly what was happening out there but it was solid, high intensity racing the whole 38 miles for our day 1 crew.
Day 2: For us women the surf run was a little longer than an hour! We had fun for longer, but also had the brain-damaging headwind, and under ama wind for longer too. We did what we could in the surf and finished the surf run in 2nd, 4 mins behind Na Hoa (an estimate) and with two women’s crews literally on our tail we hit the head winds. Pure Oceanic Connection and Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe made constant repeated attacks and we worked our butts off to stay in front of them. Over time we managed to increase the lead over those teams little by little. I’m not sure where 404 ladies were at this point. We focused on Na Hoa and could see them in front of us for the next 3.5 hours. It was absolutely brutal and very painful. Wind gusts picking up the ama from time to time and fighting sideways into it. Like Luke said, not fun, but pure racing. The last hour the conditions improved as the wind shifted on shore and we got moving a little faster. We did not manage to close the gap Na Hoa had on us after the surf run, or if we did it was by mere seconds and we finished 3mins 45seconds behind them on day 2.
Na Hoa pushed us hard that day, they are a strong strong bunch of women, fabulous job by them. It was a great race (in spite of the conditions after the surf run).
Day 3: It’s not often you want the wind to drop but the idea of another head / side brain damaging wind was kind of upsetting and we were hoping for something to change so it would be fun.
But you race the race in front of you and off the crew went.
I was not in the first leg of day 3 so I can’t say much about the course but I gather it was difficult and uninspiring. We were still in the lead overall at the start of day 3, and at the half way mark, we did our crew change in 5th place for the women’s race.
I knew Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe had closed the gap significantly on us and we were in a tough spot.Waiting for our girls to show up, watching all the mens teams make their changes and all the women’s teams make their changes we knew we had to paddle like never before to finish the race how we wanted to. It was extremely uncomfortable for the whole team.
We managed a clean change over and shot off form the pontoon with a mission - catch and pass as many crews as possible. We managed to pass 2 of the women’s teams. We passed Kawaiihae&Keahiakahoe about 1 hour in (again a blurry estimate). We had no idea at all how far ahead Na Hoa were and we raced the clock. There was also a very nervous place in my brain that thought – crap 404 was sooo far in the lead at the change over point, what if…….. NO , don’t go there - focus!
We were spared a little bit of pain as the headwind was not as strong as it could have been. We found the course bouncy with lots of little pushes. It was not the down winder we all prefer to race, but at least it wasn’t mind numbing-into-the-wind-paddling. We’ve had enough of that for one season.
404 women stormed Day 3, in an amazing and impressive way. Not just one leg, but both legs. Huge congratulations to them for that performance. Way to go California.
It’s hard to describe on a public forum how happy we are with the race and our teams result. The more people that race, the more exciting the race becomes. The jockeying for position, checking the times at the end of each day, and seeing how things change is soooo much more fun and interesting the more teams there are. You never know until its over what is going to happen.
I cannot say enough how happy I am that there was a women’s division for this race. Racing alone is not a race. Racing other teams in your division is. I would love to see the women’s entries move from 25% of the field to 50% of the overall field.
Let this be just the beginning of the women’s participation in Iron Unlimited Races.
Thank you Olamau Foundation, Mike Nakachi and all his team for making this happen. Especially thank you to all the women from all over the world that came and raced and made this an experience of a lifetime.
Here’s to doing it again and again and again!
I do want to make a comment about the race location –I preferred last years race course. I love channel crossings and want to do more iron Ka’iwi channel races in unlimited OC6’s. What a blast. Having raced in 3 of Manny’s Pa’a ‘Eono Hoe’s, I hope that if Olamau will not alternate every other year between the Big Island and the ‘3 days 3 Island’ format, that Manny will be able to set a date in the calendar to do the ‘Eono Hoe unlimited channel crossing. Please. Please please please. It is so much fun. Maaaannnnnnnyyyyyyy, Olamau set their race date and course for next year. I hope you find a date for yours.
Anna
#76 Sun, 06/16/2013 - 8:13pm
Olamau race course is supposed to change every year, never in the same place. A course along the volcano shoreline is downwind, a much better downwind course compared to the north shore for sure. But it's a long course, and there really isn't a good place to stop mid way, all cliffs, and barren lava fields, and vog, only hiking trails, not really too much roads. So logistically it's kinda tough, you could go the full downwind course, and made it one leg, but the rest of the legs would be worse then what you had already experienced.
I think this years course was good. aside from the less then ideal wind direction (not directly at your back) the race started too close to the shore line, that is why you guys were quartering so much. Usually locals go out at least a minimum mile off shore before starting the fun to lessen that. but there's no getting away from the quartering on the north shore. But overall the course had ALL types of conditions, which was a good test of paddler skill and endurance. Olamau race crews are an elite class for sure, and I think the course really forces crews to use that skill in the wind, sidewind, and flat water. On the 3rd day you guys would have had better wind if the race started about an hour later.
day 1 downwind'ish
day 2 partial downwind/side/flat
day 3 flat/onshore/headwind
you can see race organizers kinda put all the conditions on the plate. it's a good way to see how boats and paddlers can perform, a true test of paddler skill IMHO.
#77 Mon, 06/17/2013 - 7:49pm
So next year hows about DAY 1 : MAKAI PIER, AROUND RABBIT ISLAND AND FINISH AT OR NEAR TURTLE BAY.
DAY 2 : START AT FINISH OF DAY 1 AND END AT YOKOHA M A BAY OR MAKAHA
DAY 3: 1ST LEG START AT FININSH OF DAY 2 AND 1ST LEG TRAVELS TO KOOLINA 2ND LEG CONTINUES AND FINISHES AT THE SAME PLACE AS MOLOKAI HOE OR WAIKIKI BEACH
#78 Mon, 06/17/2013 - 9:19pm
http://www.youtube.com/embed/GUxDM6Zqe5c
#79 Mon, 06/17/2013 - 9:21pm
my son would be super stoked with one of these floaty dock thingies.
#80 Mon, 06/17/2013 - 11:17pm
A 10 for smoothest launch @ 2:46 ...
Anyone not familiar with this ramp, Its a full on, punji pit of reverse to ingress, rusty rebar sticking up just the right amount to gouge boat and peel away skin.
aloha,
pog
#81 Tue, 06/18/2013 - 12:54am
Leave Makaha go to Koolina, then just go back to Makaha. Or Makaha to Koolina (change at Koolina), then put a buoy in the east that you have to go around after you do your Koolina change then come back to finish at Koolina. Too many shipping lanes to fight going backto Waikiki, plus it can be a hella upwind. Also, this would leave the race organizers one less place to have to set up shop on the last day. Ending at Koolina with Disney now there could lead to more exposure or whatever. This course would be really easy for paddlers to find accomodations also.
#82 Tue, 06/18/2013 - 3:05pm
i understand the desire to surf a lot. but let me play devil's advocate. look at the most prestigious sporting events in the world.
Marathons are hard because running 26+ miles sucks. The Ironman race in Kona is horribly hard. Hawaiki Nui is hot, somewhat flat, terribly competitive and difficult. The Tour de France is horrendously long and is defined by insane biking up the Alps. Let me repeat that.... UP the ALPS! But for some reason people come out in droves to do these races. People ride the Tour de France stages before the race even happens! For fun!!
I believe that the Olamau people wanted to create a game changer of a race and I think they've done exactly that. It combines extremes of everything with the added degree of human vs the elements that paddlers probably can't get in any other race (at least not for three days). So for that they're spot on. If this race continues to happen annually I can see how over time every stretch of the course will take on a life of its own. People will lament the stage two side chop, they'll curse the stage 3 upwind, paddlers will falter in the sweltering heat of stage 4 and rejoice in the surfing runs of stage 1 and 2. Over time people will embrace those challenges and come back time after time.
On the other side of the coin I can see how it would be convenient for the race to move around to accommodate people all over the state. I can also see how it would be insanly fun to surf an unlimited boat for 100 miles. Ultimately it's up to the Olamau organizers and their sponsors. No matter what they decide it'll be the right choice for this race.
#83 Tue, 06/18/2013 - 6:42pm
All good thoughts. A couple of more.
I think the Big Island works for this race and the course is good. The island to island just adds so many challenges and logistics and cost. Also the organizers have to have trust in their safety boats and team, I think they have that on the Big Island. Also the Big Island has lots of flights from mainland and neighbor Islands, easy car rental, and many options for lodging. I like the fact that teams can follow a little along the coast and cheer at points. Additionally it appears the Big Island is where unlimited are being built- Pure and Tiger/Puakea.
I would like to hear how the Tahitians thought about the race. It looks like they were having fun and partied hard after the race.
#84 Tue, 06/18/2013 - 4:34pm
jc9_0, is exactly right! It should be a tough course, it separates the men from the boys. The gap between the leaders and the rest of the field tells all! The level of difficulty is all part of building a professional class, an elite class, and this helps bring a lot more attention to the sport!!! I'm sure were going to see more big name sponsors showing up, and funding their own unlimited class boats paddled by hawaiians, tahitians, or mainlanders in the upcoming events. This event sets the bar for others to follow. I think having the event at different locations also means not one team has an advantage, you have to be on top of your game to navigate waters you dont normally paddle in.
a great deal of effort goes into picking race locations, i'm sure the next one wont dissapoint either.
#85 Tue, 06/18/2013 - 9:58pm
pailolo, kaiwi, kauai.
day 1 & 2 iron; day 3 changes :-P
#86 Wed, 06/19/2013 - 7:58am
Well I officially got nothing done during the three days that the race was going on! Even though those of us could only follow basically on Facebook and Twitter, it was still intensely entertaining and fun to follow this year's race. I hope to participate in it soon!
Regarding the rudder issue; I believe that Unlimited canoes still embody the sport of outrigger racing and further enhances it by allowing the builder to experiment with the hull design, however, adding rudders to them, I feel would move away from the fundamental aspect of the sport. Like somebody said prior, adding rudders to these canoes would all but eliminate the necessary skill and knowledge needed by the steersman.
I think that Mike Nakachi has created something special here, and I really hope that it continues for many, many years!
#87 Wed, 06/19/2013 - 8:59am
Have to agree with Luke.......It was epic and impeccably organized!!!
I think the women had fun getting to see all those fast guys on the line!
You don't get to line up next OPT, Shell Vaa and EDT every day and catch a bomber bump with them for one change. 2nd day start was crazy! There must be video somewhere.
It was exciting for the girls, no one knew what would happen.....most of the crews were made up of teammates from other crews. Some of us practiced together, then raced against each other. All of us wanting to experience this crazy race, a first for most of us women, as the races for women in Tahiti are not the same distances or # of days as the men.
So again thank you to the organizers for including us!!
Each day had a different Winner......Pacific Wahine day 1......Nahoa day 2......and 404 on day 3
All those little minutes and mistakes adding up over the 100 miles!
An awesome Race!!!
*would have liked water changes tho ;)
#88 Tue, 08/20/2013 - 8:19am
I can see how valuable having more stitch options is going to be and I've already started using some of them. There wasnt a major growth but my boobs were a little more plump and full. Disappointed that it did not include a miter guide. I have even made adjustments so I can throw in a little ground flavored coffee while still using the grinder. face lift Cardiff
#89 Tue, 10/28/2014 - 1:52am
I nominate this spam post as the best, all time, most irrelevant and WTF + LOL one to date.
aloha,
pog
#90 Tue, 10/28/2014 - 2:13am
All Time
#91 Tue, 10/28/2014 - 1:35pm