SoCal Iron season finale, Kai Elua Championships - June 26

[Results] at SoCalOutrigger
Photos by:[Don Murray][Windandsea Photo][Gary Cannon]
Saturday, June 26, marked the season finale for the Iron portion of team outrigger racing in Southern California. And the weather didn't disappoint! Blue skies, a warming sun, and a gently building onshore wind. Competitors arrived to the race venue deep in Mission Bay to a most impressive beach scene.

A stage built into a 40-foot semi trailer served as a focal point while a large number of food, clothing and paddling equipment vendors set up tents on adjacent sides of the stage. The stage and vendors formed a natural grassy central area for competitors to congregate. Behind, bordering the Mission Bay shoreline, canoe clubs set up colorful camps. Jockeying for the right camp location and space was the first competition of the day! Across the bay Sea World served as a picturesque back drop.

Of particular note was the extent to which event sponsors were showcased. There was a display featuring Toyota trucks and hybrid cars. The hosting club, Kai Elua, reserved front row parking for VIP's and media. There was a very professional glossy multi-page race program. The event even had Kona Brewing Co. as the official beer sponsor! A local television broadcast live from the beach, featuring paddler interviews and a reporter getting a ride in a six man from Kai Elua's keiki team.

The very competitive novice mens race saw Team California out last the host club Kai Elua in a 5-mile race for top honors. Kai Elua's novice women took care of business by winning impressively. The future looks very bright for this San Diego powerhouse club!

In the 10-mile womens race NAC carried a narrow lead into the first turn at Crystal Pier. The second leg headed directly out to sea for two miles, and saw Lanakila overtake NAC as both teams separated from the pack. After rounding the turn the teams headed down swell directly toward the harbor. At the bell buoy it was close. Entering the harbor NAC closed the gap. Under bridges, skirting sand bars ... both teams hammered, not giving an inch. At the twin red flags marking the finish a mere 10 seconds separated a victorious Lanakila from a valiant NAC.

In the 12-mile men's competition five teams (Imua, Pao Pao, Team California and two teams from Lanakila) burst off of the starting line to break away from the nearly 50 crews in the race. By the first mark Imua had separated from the pack, followed by Team California, Pao Pao and the two Lanakila canoes. The second leg was a brutal 3-mile push up hill. Imua extended its lead as Lanakila crawled up to second. Dana Outrigger, who missed the start, was at this time making a strong push through the pack. The third leg saw positions change as teams scratched for any bump they could find. Rounding the bell buoy, teams worked desperately to find a wave to catch. Imua saw a 5-boat open water lead get erased in a matter of seconds as Lanakila put together a series of spectacular waves along the rock jetty, surfing all the way up to Imua's seat three! All of a sudden it was Game On! Imua responded in the flat water by dropping the hammer on Lanakila. At the finish line it was Imua by a convincing margin, followed by Lanakila, Pao Pao and a 4th place Dana Outrigger team that had to come all the way up through the pack.

Sincere thanks to the members of Kai Elua Outrigger for hosting an outstanding day of competition!

Next on the docket is our first sprint format race on July 9th in Long Beach.

For comprehensive results see SoCalOutrigger

Posted by keizo on Wed, 06/29/2005 - 11:22pm