Aug 15 - Kaena Challenge 2004 Long Distance Race Recap

Lanikai Canoe Club’s open men’s crew of Koa Bruhn, Kaai Bruhn, Mike Pederson, David Daniels, Peter Binney, George Leslie, John Foti, Jim Foti, and Kai Bartlett, won the 2004 Makaha Canoe Club Kaena Challenge long distance canoe race from Sunset Beach to Makaha Beach in a record time of 2:53:28 beating Team New Zealand / Hawaii’s 2003 time of 2:58:15. Outrigger Canoe Club finished second at 2:54:06 and Kailua third at 3:07:42.

Some of Hawaii’s top crews opted to sit out the World Sprints in Hilo to race the Kaena Challenge. Last year’s change to start the race from Sunset Beach instead of Waimea as in the past, attracted many new and returning crews. Quickly gaining reputation as a very fast course, yesterday’s conditions were perfect with 25 mile per hour trade winds at the start all the way to Kaena Point.

Lokahi Canoe Club’s open women’s crews finished first and second in 3:53:22 and 4:10:57 followed by Waikiki Yacht Club at 4:12:45

Kamoi Canoe Club won the open mixed short course from Makaha beach to Makua beach and back in 1:29:57, followed by Puuloa second and Keala third. Kamamalahoe won the 40+ women.

Posted by admin on Thu, 08/19/2004 - 9:16pm