Molokai -2008-Thoughts/Rumors

Here we go again.

Na Wahine O Ke Kai-Women’s Molokai
Last year I posted-

"Team Bradley will be challenged by a very, very hungry Team Hui Lanakila and Waikiki Beach Boys. I am sure there are some other women’s teams in Hawaii who want to fly under the radar before Molokai but who are also looking for respect on race day. Also we have to consider an Australian, California, or Canadian All-Star Team showing up. I am not in the know, but others might know if they are coming or not."

It looks like things are shaping up the same way with a few differences.

Hui Lanakila has picked up different ladies and are using a Bradley-Lightening. Also I wonder if Team Bradley has been playing a little “Cat and Mouse” by taking it easy on prep races. We will see soon. It should be amazingly close and a great race.

Molokai Hoe-Men’s Molokai

Things are different this year. Tahiti (Shell, OPT, etc) have dominated the last two years and have left Hawaii more than a little shocked and shaken. Coaches across Hawaii started the change stroke rate talk, grabbed a single or double bend paddle, and upped training. We will see.

Lanikai has jumped to the challenge and has called all of the “family” to come back together. It will be interesting. Other crews in Hawaii are looking to step up too and prove they are also strong. PAA, Hawaiian, Kailua, Outrigger

LiveStrong Masters will be in the Masters mix. Australia will have to watch out.

Rumors-

I have heard a few and not totally confirmed but.

What type of canoe (New Mirage or Bradley-Lightening) will Lanikai choose for Molokai? Hmmm.

Submitted by Kona J on Wed, 09/24/2008 - 8:16am



Kona J
If someone is going to beat Shell, It's better for OPT not to be that team... or they'll better stay in Hawaii and never come back to Tahiti !
We want this trophy !
And peole would start to say that hawaiian couldn't beat a tahitian team, they needed another tahitian team to ,do the job for them... you might not like hearing this.


#141 Sun, 10/05/2008 - 8:31pm


hahhaha, Hiro, can you stear the stew....


#142 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 2:26am


JAYBIRD

So far there are 95 crews for the men...maybe a couple more at last minute.

GOOD LUCK to all Hawai'i teams......BEAT Tahiti!!!!!!


#143 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 5:43am


Hiro,

I picked OPT, because I am sure they are fired up, gain another year of experience for this race and will be in a better canoe.

I am not as nationalistic- I want best team to win no matter what country they are from.

So are you saying that in Tahiti no one is giving OPT a chance?


#144 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 5:50am


I don't know how the guys feel about it now, but back in the day a lot of guys would rather have a foreign crew win than someone else from O'ahu, especially Outrigger, because then they get to strut around all year w/ the champ swagger right in front of everyone! I think it's different now that Tahiti has been beating everyone down so hard, w/ multiple crews and all that.


#145 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 6:11am


It's not that we are not giving OPT a chance.
In 1976, 77 78 Maire Nui won the Koa div.
In 1993 and 1994, Faa'a won the fiberglass div. In 1995 Lanikai stopped them. They didn't win the perpetual trophy.
We want Shell to bring this trophy.


#146 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 9:41am


I'm going with Kona J. Whoever is first across the line deserves it. Tahiti (Shell) is making everyone step up their game. Nice if underdog Lanikai takes it, but I will be stoked for whoever pulls it off.


#147 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 9:54am


1976 was the last race from Kaunakakai, 53 miles, and it was glassy flat the whole way. The Tahiti crew that won was I believe Te Oropaa, and their canoe was from Tahiti, In 1977 Outrigger won in a fiberglass canoe. From that point forward winning overall was more important and more recognized than the winner of the Koa Division, even though Outrigger did win a few overall races in Koa after that.


#148 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 10:10am


Hiro, so thats what is it really!! "the perpetual trophy", Mean....i didnt know if you won 3 times, you take it home....


#149 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 11:58am


I'm gonna revise my list:

1- Lanikai
2- Shell
3- OPT
4- PAA
5-Outrigger
6- New Zealand (Maui, Conan, etc...)
7- Livestrong Masters
8-Tahiti
9-Kailua
10- Hawaiian
11-Hui Nalu
12- Lanikai 2
13- Outrigger Masters
14-Lanakila/Quiksilver/Mudbrook
15-Keahiakahoe

Lets come up with lists and designate points for coming close,if not right, for our predictions... Could be fun/interesting


#150 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 12:17pm


I heard there is a crew from Canada here that are olympic champs. Kayakers. They may be a surprise to everyone.


#151 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 12:33pm


Aloha Thomas,
do you know who is steering them, Olympic Athlets, well coached and with solid months of preparation with someone who no how for steer.................out of the blue.....for sure can do some damage, specially if they put a good amount of miles in OC-1--------


#152 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 12:53pm


The Canadian team (who also has German and Hungarian olympic paddlers) will be steered by Paul McNamara from Jericho CC. He has steered the Molokai Hoe many times. Several of their paddlers are new to Outrigger paddling, but as international caliber athletes they are likely to pick it up quickly. Most of them are sprint canoe paddlers rather than, or in addition to, kayaking. They have a good chance to place well.


#153 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 1:38pm


I dont know who is steering them. Terry or Alex - Ocean Paddler TV any scoop?


#154 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 1:39pm


Slowpoke is correct. From what I know, the steersman has done 14 Molokai crossings. They are going to be worth watching.

Terry
Ocean Paddler TV


#155 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 1:49pm


14 crossings! How many top ten?


#156 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 2:19pm


last year the crew he steered was 14th overall. some from that crew will be on the crew this year as well.


#157 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 2:35pm


Here is their website. You guys can check out their stats.

www.thezebraboat.com

I met them On Saturday. Nice bunch of guys. It will be really fun to see how everything plays out overall for the finish. I hope there is wind and waves.

Terry
Ocean Paddler TV


#158 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 3:36pm


Pretty professional operation. Steersman has to be good, there are never any slouches on Team California. They're not going to win it, but I'll put them down for a top 10.


#159 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:08pm


Has anyone been keeping track of the wind and waves. wetsand posting huge NW swell to hit on sunday. Windguru posting 20+ mph wind building from friday to sunday. This could get big. Seat Ones bring your mask and snorkel it could get wet up there.


#160 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:41pm


The Hawai'i Kai run was awesome this past weekend.

If the conditions as you suggest with the NW swell and 20+ winds, I'd modify mc2's prediction with the following:

1- Lanikai
2- Shell
3- Outrigger
4- OPT
4- PAA
5- New Zealand (Maui, Conan, etc…)
6- Livestrong Masters
7- Hui Nalu
8-Tahiti
9-Kailua
10- Hawaiian

Is there a website with a list of all entries?


#161 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:51pm


That Canadian team looks strong. Attila Vajda won the Gold in the 500 M C1 in Beijing. And holy crap the Buday family are some strong paddlers. The father won two golds in 1976 Olympics and the sons all look strong. Plus they're Hungarians so I feel inclined to root for them.


#162 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:55pm


One question on Team Zebra though. Gyorgy Kolonics died while training on the Danube in July before the Olympics. Anyone know who they have to take his place? He was another strong paddler and will be hard to replace.


#163 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 4:59pm


That Canadian crew could really do some damage. Paul McNamara is an awesome steersman and those Canadian flatwater people are tremendous athletes. In very calm conditions they would be top ten for sure.


#164 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 5:08pm


Anowara -

The guy they replaced Gyorgy with is a young kid who won a medal in the Beijing olympics. They are deticating their race in the Molokai Hoe to Gyorgy. They came over to our hale on Saturday and I was very touched by their story. I took them out on my sailing canoe and I had no idea they just started to train together as a crew. They looked really good and strong. Alex interviewed them for the show.

Jane Mckee worked with them on Sunday with their water changes. They are strong and if the conditons are right, I would for sure put them in the top 10. Who knows, there are alot of terrific crews and stories out there. Regardless of who crosses the finish line first, all of the participates are winners.

Hey, and good luck to Keizo..he is steering a novice crew from Seattle! I bet he has the most fun. We hope to talk to him as well.

Ocean Paddler TV will be out there filming and we will bring you all a great show.

Terry
Ocean Paddler TV


#165 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 5:34pm


Hi again - OMG I spend WAY to much time on the computer..But, I wanted to tell you..Alex will be filming from the helo, and we will also have a media boat..I will try my best to post every hour or so during the race to let you know who is where in the top spots. Hopefully the cell phones and stuff will work.

Terry
Ocean Paddler TV


#166 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 5:50pm


venus va'a


#167 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 7:06pm


OPT lost Georges Cronsteadt and now paddles with Venus. They also include Maitai, Manutea, Chris Moua and five other fit tahitians. Venus shall be up there.

Carlton

save la'au point.


#168 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 9:25pm


Lanikai's "2nd crew" will be in the top ten. Make sure of that fellow blackie.

Keola Wright


#169 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 11:00pm


Aloha fellow blackie from westside, still up with green bottle in hand? I have a feeling we'll be battling each other on the 12th.

Carlton Helm

save la'au point.


#170 Mon, 10/06/2008 - 11:09pm


Jim - Those Canadians are mostly Hungarians and a token German! Sounds like they have a good steersman so while I don't think they'll win, I think they'll definitely push the top crews. I imagine their flatwater speed is pretty good...

Thanks for all the info Terry! I hope you can put the shows from the Na Wahina and Moloka'i Hoe up on the web. Have you ever thought about distributing them via iTunes or Amazon's service for people not living in Hawai'i to watch them?


#171 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 2:23am


if they really trust their steersman, and they have the balls to handdle droping into big bumps.....while the steersman connect the dots.......the can sure do some damage....


#172 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 4:15am


Anowara-remember those Hungarians that raced the channel in the mid 90s? They had a tough going their first time, but I think they eventually finished top ten after a few tries. Are all those guys Canadian citizens now?


#173 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 4:29am


Aloha Jim, those Hungarians used to practice in our canoe club based in Haleiwa, they bought a Bradley and Moku, Uncle Sanborns san, steered them the first time, i think top 20 first attempt.....i think best ever was 15 overall.


#174 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 4:50am


Jim - Too novice a paddler to remember the mid-90s Hungarian crew, but I remember hearing about them from someone. I'm pretty sure Attila Vajda isn't a Canadian citizen since he just raced for Hungary in Beijing (also it was the 1000m not 500m gold he won, my mistake there), and from the team website it looks like a couple of the Buday brothers are still Hungarian citizens... Not sure on the other paddler Terry mentioned that also won a medal in Beijing, must be either Tomas Kiss or Gyorgy Kozmann (bronze in the C2 1000m). It looks like over half have raced the Hoe before.


#175 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 5:05am


Team Zebra wins the website contest and cool action shots division.

I am intrigued with Venus Vaa . Any idea on Lewis L. and his next steps in regards to outrigger? I know he is surfskiing alot these days.


#176 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 5:17am


team zebra is actually made up of these paddlers this year:

andreas dittmer (german)
martin doktor (czech republic)
attila vajda (hungarian)
paul macnamarra (canadian)
buday jr (canadian)
peter buday (canadian)
kyle jeffery (canadian)
ian mortimer (canadian)
andrew russel (canadian)

with the exception of paul and peter all of them are channel rookies. if it's big they'll probably get rocked i think. but good luck !


#177 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 11:40am


If you wan beat Tahitians, U must select da best athletes & train like them - 4 hours a day

Dat being said - there are a few Hawaii crews doing dat dis year

gonna be real interesting


#178 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 12:47pm


The team Zebra crew knows how to surf, I've seen it. Unless it is epically huge they have a good chance of being top 10, if it is flat, even better.
For the record this is not the same crew as the all Hungarian national crew steered by Gary Parsons from Jericho.
Attila is Canadian, like his brothers. They are of Hungarian descent, born there but of Canadian nationality now.


#179 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 6:51pm


I agree with Bamskii, if the high wind and big surf forecast holds true, Lanikai #2 will be in the top ten. My prediction, Lanikai wins open and koa, with a strong finish by Lanikai #2.


#180 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 8:40pm


And a little modesty.


#181 Tue, 10/07/2008 - 11:03pm


Saw what I think is the Canadian/Hungarian team out at Hawaii Kai yesterday. They have this "giant" in 3 seat. They look really fit... My thought is they'll go well off the line, but in the slop at La'au and connecting surf...Very quick stroke through the water/ explosive. Hard to make my top 15.
Kona J and Kamamakakaua have very good lists. I like that. My #8(Tahiti) Kamamakakaua's #8 may be the same Venus .


#182 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 8:08am


what you saw yesterday at Hawaii Kai was the Hungarian team, not the Canadian team.


#183 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 8:50am


The Hungarians first came here in the mid 90s and David Beck steered them. They also had two paddlers from the Outrigger Canoe Club. The channel was pretty mild that year and I believe that they finished somewhere in the high teens.


#184 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 3:12pm


Team Hungary came in 13th in '97. http://holoholo.org/hoe/97hoe/


#185 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 3:22pm


Team zha zha: Tventy place dahling " I know what I saw"


#186 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 3:28pm


Anowara - OC-16 streamlines it's shows...The Na wahine o ke kai show is on this Friday at 7:00pm Hawaii time..You can go to www.oc16.tv/ and watch it as it is being shown..

Good luck to all the crews, I hope the conditons are better then what us women had:)

Most importantly - HAVE FUN!

Terry
Ocean Paddler TV


#187 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 8:11pm


here is my list again, for comparison sake.

venus va'a


#188 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 8:26pm


BTW, i talked to a few paddlers from
Shell Va'a on Sunday and they don't smoke cigarettes. Talked to one of their coaches (Bruno A.) today and he basically seriously said "no way," also. Funny how rumors get around.


#189 Wed, 10/08/2008 - 9:04pm


Köszönöm szépen Terry!

For those of you using Macs, make sure you download the most recent version of Flip4Mac. It's free and allows Quicktime to display Windows Media streams, files, etc. Highly recommended.

Also, you just need the free plugin, the other versions allow you to do more (e.g. conversion between formats), but for just watching the free one is all you need.


#190 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 4:11am


Do you really think the Tahitians are going to give away their secrets?

I saw it with my own eyes last year and swear they chain smoke, take bong hits, and chug beers right before they get in the canoe. They raced with twenty guys so they needed a separate escort boat to carry all the beer and cigarettes. This was of course in between injections of EPO and blood from Lance Armstrong. They'll never tell you this but I swear I saw it. Now everyone else should follow their lead, especially the beer and bong hits part. Lanikai will be a shoe in to win the channel if they follow the Tahitian strategy.


#191 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 9:29am


Kimo, we tought we could trust you... and you're giving away our secrets this way ? Don't you ever come to Tahiti again !

My list
1 Shell (TAHITI)
2 Venus/OPT B (TAHITI)
3 OPT A (TAHITI)
4 E Rai (TAHITI)
5 Lanikai
6 NZ
7 Outrigger
8 Banque de Tahiti (TAHITI)


#192 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 1:39pm


yes, Kimo i trust u, and u find the tahitians secrets for paddling.
so, u must to talk all the paddler in HAWAII if they want to win they must smock and drink beer,
For me when u saw, u drink and smock too much.

Stupid rumors for explain why SHELL are so good,
Came on TAHITI to see the SHELL HARD Trainning, you going to understand why they are so good

They trainnig at the morning and afternoon before and after they finnish there job. V. HARD


#193 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 2:06pm


Hiro - are you getting carried away a little ?

Pa'a should be in the mix.

Lanikai 1 certainly has the will and the knowledge how to win this race. They even afford to leave their most successful paddler for the second crew.

Lanikai 2 has a ton of great paddlers in the boat and can leave other excelling paddlers for the age classes to give strong novice paddlers a chance, too.

Who knows if last years result is a good reference for this years outcome.


#194 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 4:40pm


I will be posting my predictions Sunday night. Stay tuned everyone. You will be amazed by my accuracy.


#195 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 6:06pm


I will go with Carnac's accuracy!


#196 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 6:22pm


Paco Rabanne predicted that the Mir Space Station was to fall on the Champs Elysées... killing thousands of people that being the begining of Apocalyse...
Maybe we can ask him who will win ?


#197 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 6:54pm


TC is merely posturing with this prediction business. When all is said and done about this thread, I guarantee you one thing, that's right guarantee. The best post race party will be at Bob Rocheleau's. Killa babes, killa kine pupu and an open bar featuring Uncle Jimmy's Patron shots. Sorry kid's it's a by invitaion only event, Gray hair is a prerequisite. Go team Bradley Hui Nalu/OCC.


#198 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 7:40pm


Maybe th best post race party will take place in the streets of Tahiti. ;-)


#199 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 7:50pm


KGB. Do I need an invitation or am I grandfathered in? Tell Bob to get me a marina pass so I can drive right up to his dock.


#200 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 8:21pm


TC, what about Erwin? Doesn't he have enough gray to get everyone in?


#201 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 9:11pm


TC is always grandfathered in. Erwin also qualifies as a youngster!


#202 Thu, 10/09/2008 - 9:44pm


Considering multiple factors including that the fetching Mrs. Conner is in the "killa babes" category, you Tommy, are grandfathered in.


#203 Fri, 10/10/2008 - 7:00am


With regards to Team Zebra a previous poster was almost correct. She got the names and nationalities right but sold them a little short on experience. Interestingly there are at least 6 Olympic gold medals in that boat and all but Paul, Peter and Ian have won medals at the flatwater worlds.

Tamas Buday Jr., Kyle Jeffery and Peter Buday all raced for Team Pogue with us in 2006. 11th or 12th I think with Aaron Napoleon steering and me being the only one in the boat other than Aaron who had been across the channel.

Last year Peter was in Team Pogue which Paul McNamara and Dave Loui steered to 14th with 6 of us having channel experience.

So for Team Zebra that means they have, other than Paul and his 14 crossings Peter with 2, Tamas Buday Jr. with 1 and Kyle with 1. The rest are rookies but stronger, fitter bodies than some of the ones we raced with the last two years.

I figure they'll have a similar result to Team Pogue in the usual conditions. If it is bigger than normal they might drop back and if it's flatter than normal they'll probably do better.

As a Canadian and sprint paddler for obvious reasons I am cheering for them. Of course good luck to everybody else. I'd love to see a Hawaiian crew take back the title.

Larry


#204 Fri, 10/10/2008 - 9:52am


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