Fuzerider
wehuli@prexar.com
10/14/2006
Molokai Report: Recently myself and some paddling friends had a most excellent adventure in Hawaii, who knows maybe even a once in a lifetime experience. Last weekend Al Limberg, Todd Ellison, Mike Vincent,Mike Handa, Randy Drake,Turbo Tim Triebold, John Hugus, Joe Manns and myself found ourselves on the starting line at Hale O Lono harbor Molokai for the 54th running of the Molokai Hoe canoe race across the 41 mile wide Ka iwi channel. The scene was absolutely incredible, crystal clear blue water, hot humid air,and well over 1000 people floating on the water in either the 45 foot long outrigger canoes or the 100 plus chase boats , media boats and spectators. There was a helicopter there too with a film crew inside. The boats made a straight line , 102 canoes wide and moved ahead from the staging area to the start line. All canoes were moving ahead when an officials boat dropped the starting flag. From my possition in seat one , the entire field came off the line together , no boat was dropped. Soon the fastest teams began to move ahead at a pace which only the worlds finest paddlers can provide. The Tahitians wasted no time in putting the hammer down and applying the hurt to everyone. After a half hour or so of racing we cleared the western end of Molokai and headed out into open ocean. Oahu still invisible in the humid air. Our first change is coming up so, the chase boat moves ahead and drops 3 fresh paddlers into the water directly in the path of our canoe. From the canoe , the swimmers are only visible part of the time as they appear and disappear between wave crests and troughs. We approach at top speed and in one movement they haul themselves into the canoe on the ama side while those of us in seats 1,3 and 5 go overboard on the starboard side, the 80 degree water feels cool. As the canoe continues on course the 3 of us in the water swim over to our chase boat which is a 22 foot twin hull catamaran with twin 115 horse Yamaha four strokes hung off the dual transoms. The locals were saying conditions were about as flat as they get in the Ka iwi channel but, I`ve never paddled in rougher water, it must be incredible when the locals are calling it rough. Ever so slowly Oahu begins to come into view out of the haze , first Koko head , then Diamond Head and the finish line. Late in the race we begin to pass lots of canoes as the talents of guys like Al Limberg and Mike Vincent make themselves apparent. At the finish we were 6 th in masters and 40th overall , not too bad really but we plan to go back again next year to try to improve a little. We all met some really nice people while on Hawaii. The Tresnacks, Nappy Napolean, Mike Handas sister Sandy and her husband Clayton, Billy Mowatt , our chaseboat driver and his friend Tom who helped out and cheered us on during the race. These people treated us like ohana and we are grateful. All in all , a totally unforgettable experience, we will be back next year.
Submitted by fuzerider on Sat, 10/14/2006 - 4:39am
Good job guys, it looks like you all had a fantastic race.
#1 Sat, 10/14/2006 - 7:23am
Well written...hope to try it may
#2 Sat, 10/14/2006 - 10:26pm