Jan 4 - Beck leads in Kaua'i Season Opener
[Photos] by Ashlee Fujimoto and Kenny Denton
article by Kimberlee Stuart and OCPaddler
Kauai Hoe Wa’a paddlers had an exciting start to the new season with what many have called “epic” conditions. On Sunday, January 4th, fantastic Westerly winds pushed OC1, OC2, surfski and paddle boarders down the faces of near-perfect swells. Though the conditions were perfect, the race remained challenging due the backwards race course which few have ever paddled; the start was at Port Allen with the finishes at Kukuiula Harbor and Poipu Beach for the short and long courses respectively.
David Beck, riding the new Kai Wa’a Pegasus in its first race, garnered first overall with nearly four minutes to spare over Hurricane paddler Butch Keahiolalo. Following a minute behind was youth paddler Luke Evslin in his classic Waveblade. Katy Curtis made an impressive showing, winning the women’s division with a seven minute lead over second place finisher Margie Goodno. Kauai’s first competing Surfski paddler, Wes Woolway, dominated the short course while two of Kauai’s top youth followed behind in a heated battle for first OC1. In the end 18 year old Kelly Foster outmaneuvered Keizo Gates for first OC1 in the short course. Erin Struxness won the women’s short course over Katy Otsuji.
Complete results follow.
After the race paddlers sat down to a delicious meal sponsored by Poipu Beach Broiler. Each race in the series is sponsored by a different restaurant and participants enjoy refreshments, great camaraderie and door prizes.
Steinlager is the organization’s main sponsor and many island businesses such as Dukes, Kai Kane, Keokis, Brennekes, Waimea Cottages and others help make the racing season a success..
The next race is on Sunday, January 18th and will run from Wailua to Kalapaki. The short course goes from Hanamaulu to Kalapaki and all races start at noon. At times weather conditions may alter the course.
Dukes will be sponsoring this race and refreshments and beverages and awards will take place there. For a schedule of upcoming events or further information please call Tom Bartlett at 826-5503 or 652-0406.
Kaua'i Hoe Wa'a
Steinlager Series
Race Results for January 4th, 2004
Sponsored by:
Poipu Beach Broiler
Long Course - Port Allen to Waiohai (approx. 8.5 miles)
Name Overall Time Division
Beck, David 1st 1:03:43 1st Open Men
Keahiolalo, Butch 2nd 1:07:23 2nd Open Men
Evslin, Luke 3rd 1:08:33 3rd Open Men
Deblin, Bret 4th 1:08:41 1st Men 30-39
Princena, Hipo 5th 1:10:40 1st Men 40-49
Rafter, Eric 6th 1:10:43 1st Men 20-29
Goodale, Kawika 7th 1:11:56 1st Men 50-59
Lett, Gordon 8th 1:12:10 2nd Men 40-49
Jumper, Leroy 9th 1:12:12 2nd Men 30-39
Baker, Steve 10th 1:13:05 2nd Men 50-59
Acoba, Chris 11th 1:14:02 3rd Men 40-49
Callahan, Mick 12th 1:14:53 3rd Men 50-59
Curtis, Katy 13th 1:15:23 1st Open Women
Lopez, Gene 14th 1:17:43 4th Men 50-59
Baird, Mark/Perry, Tom 15th 1:17:47 Men OC-2
Chow, Arthur 16th 1:21:43 5th Men 50-59
Botelo, Lot 17th 1:22:02 3rd Men 30-39
Goodno, Margie 18th 1:22:05 2nd Open Women
Irons, A.J. 19th 1:23:44 2nd Men 20-29
Denton, Laurie 20th 1:24:50 3rd Open Women
Celestino, Marshall 21st 1:25:38 4th Men 40-49
Higa, Suro 22nd 1:30:12 5th Men 40-49
Amo, Jacques 23rd 1:33:17 6th Men 40-49
Acoba, Fran 24th 1:33:38 4th Open Women
Short Course - Port Allen to Kukuiula Harbor (approx. 6 miles)
Name Overall Time Division
Woolway, Wes 1st 55:52 Surfski
Foster, Kelly 2nd 56:50 1st Open Men
Gates, Keizo 3rd 57:52 2nd Open Men
Pettigrew, Richard 4th 1:01:01 3rd Open Men
Struxness, Kendall 5th 1:04:27 1st Men 40-49
Baxter, Greg 6th 1:04:41 1st Men 50-59
Struxness, Erin 7th 1:04:46 1st Open Women
Otsuji, Katy 8th 1:06:27 2nd Open Women
Stuart, Kimberlee 9th 1:06:58 3rd Open Women
Bartlett, Tom 10th 1:08;26 2nd Men 50-59
Deblin, Sara 11th 1:13:19 4th Open Women
Chow, Joy 12th 1:14:10 5th Open Women
Curammeng, Joe 13th 1:14:28 2nd Men 40-49
Posted by keizo on Thu, 01/08/2004 - 8:24pm