From a paddler's point of view, what do you think would make the ideal V-1 (rudderless) race? We are planning an event in September 2009 and are looking for good ideas. This is your chance to make a difference and grow the sport we all love gang! Thanks in advance for any input.
Submitted by HVA on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 9:43pm
im not sure what would make a great rudderless course, possibly a triangle with alot of different conditions. small bumps, side wind downwind upwind. on another note i was wondering if anyone would ever be interested in a six man race across the kaiwi but without changes like the old days. and i was wondering if someone put the time to make a race like that would anyone go?
#1 Tue, 05/26/2009 - 10:09pm
maybe the westside pokai to makaha to maile and back to pokai bay .. different conditions flat, small bumps, real good for rudderless and not real bad conditons for the novice paddlers .. just my thoughts
#2 Tue, 05/26/2009 - 10:55pm
A rudder would be nice!
#3 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 1:02am
LeMans style start + a couple passes by everyone ( triangle course ) if possible would make it much more fun for spectators.
my .02
aloha,
pog
Please keep any updates on the race coming too : )
#4 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 3:10am
Perhaps a race that emphasizes paddling skills would be the way to go? Maybe start backwards and paddle the first 100 yards backwards and around a buoy, then spin around 180 degrees and aim for a destination. I like Vijion's Makaha Beach idea, which is something like the Johnny Wright paddleboard race or Onno's Hilo Bay or even Kona Pier would do. On Oahu, it's Magic Island to DH Buoy and back or up the Ala Wai to the library and back to Waikiki or Hawaii Yacht Clubs? On the Windward side, circular course from Kualoa fishpond beach around Chinaman's Hat and back a few times? North shore, maybe Sunset to Waimea or Haleiwa during the summer?
#5 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:00am
agree with onnopaddle, any venue where spectators can see more than a start and finish will work for the growth of the sport, and possible more sponsorships...
#6 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 10:12am
Thanks for the input gang. We have been considering two or three laps of a triangle course. Makaha, Waimea Bay, Kaneohe, and Hawaii Kai are all being considered. The pinch is finding sponsors for events in parts of Oahu that are distant from Honolulu's population center.
Please keep the ideas coming, we want to make this a race that the paddling community as a whole can take pride in. Aloha.
#7 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 10:30am
I had an Idea about a kinda sprint race. Just like in skiing you make a sprint/ slalom course. You put 10 buoys out and you have your start line and you have to race around all of them and cross the line. Maybe a 250m course and a have the buoys spaced out evenly and then stagger them 15' apart. And make it a one on one race, surf contest format where you have to beat the competition to advance.
Divisions would be age/ gender based.
#8 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 4:12pm
On Guam we often do slalom courses (rabbit ears, figure 8's) on both OC1 and OC6s...we DO use an overlap rule, so as to minimize banging, but it does occur occasionally anyway. The trick is to have the 1st buoy far enough out to get some seperation at the first turn.
At the beach on Molokai last year before the men's race, I was talking to a gentleman who mentioned that someone was going to petition to allow a Kapuna division in the Mens race for an iron entry for Golden Masters and name it after Mike Tongg. I would love to paddle that, or something similar.
If anyone knows more, please advise.
Paddle From The Heart!!
Si yu'us ma'asse!
#9 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 4:36pm
At the Bora Bora Ironman they have an event called the shotdown (i think) before the big race, they set up a 100metre sprint course in front of the spectators and draw 2 names at a time out of a hat (all race entrants are in the draw) and Go! racing the winners paddle back and race again the loser is out , keep going until the last man wins , maybe you run it the night before the big race under lights in the pool in front of the Duke statue, you would draw a big crowd that would keep the sponsors happy and you've only got to walk over the road to Lu Lu's for the presso.
That sounds like fun when is this race?
#10 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 5:03pm
Yep,
Anything where you get close quarters and converging paths usually ends up being fun for both paddler and spectator.
I too like the slalom but whoa ! Figure 8 in the sixes ? : 0
Thing is you don't want to get into too many rules @ the marks a-la-sailing ' cause not everyone knows them or wants to.
aloha,
pog
#11 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 5:48pm
Have a 5k race with the start being 750 m long, then after 750 meter square is completed, you only do 250 m lap with square turns (4 turn buoys). If you get lapped your out. Keeps it interesting for spectators, lots of tactics, not a sprint but not a distance race.
#12 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:46pm
Kahana Bay on the Windward Side and Pokai Bay on the Leeward Side would be ideal for the triangular course race. And if there is surf, it sure would be fun punching out and surfing back in.
Rounding up sponsors during these hard economic times would be the most challenging task.
#13 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:33pm
remember the race is rudderless.
#14 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:46pm
The shotdown is a great format.
#15 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:50pm
Rudderless or not ... Everyone is 'in the same boat' both literally and figuratively .. I like the square course for a change ... It for sure contributes to evening / balancing out the field. Skills A N D Fitness duking it out.
Hopefully not like a roller derby though.
aloha,
pog
#16 Wed, 05/27/2009 - 10:13pm
The only problem with the square course would be going around buoys on the same side all the time. With the help of the ama, it is easier to make a left turn than a right turn. But of course, those who can fly the ama while rounding the buoy on the right have the advantage. Unfortunately, with the outrigger, it can only be heeled on the right side or the side w/o ama. Steering w/o rudder is the only way to surf, so looking forward to paddle steering on the wave during the surfing leg of the race.
ps: and please, no drag leg in the water for turn - use your blade for steer.
ps: also, flying the ama when doing the ama side turn can be done, but you got to be going very fast and leaning on the opposite side, which makes for a fast spin around. The key is the plant of the blade and ruddering/bracing skills on the ama side.
#17 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:48am
Where can you even purchase a blue water V1 here in Hawaii?
Marara
#18 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:47pm
How about Honolulu Harbor, Aloha Tower as the center stage, spectator friendly, a few laps!
Sand Island triangle? Keehi Lagoon.
#19 Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:02pm
Today, I tried going left around a small buoy with ama raised and I went huli. Got to practice more.
#20 Fri, 05/29/2009 - 12:44am