The second race of the YMCA Kauai Hoe Wa’a season went off very smoothly considering the fluctuating weather conditions. Race directors Mark Frazier and Butch Keahialalo had their hands full and had to make a last minute course change.

[Short Course Photos] by Marjie Santos
HIPA's second event of the 2006 season, the 20th running of Keoua Canoe Club's race, dedicated to the memory of Uncle Louie Kumukahi Kelekolio, took place today at Honaunau. The day started with a special 2 mile kids' event, won by the two man team of Chase Von Nordheim and Sayer Palakilo.

[Photos] by Keizo Gates
edit: read more for new race recap. First race of 2006 was held January 8th. South side course with trades made for a fun first race. Results & photos below.

[Photos] by Keizo
Results of the first HIPA race of the 2006 season, the 19th running of the Stan Cann Classic. The day began with a Juniors race, followed by the 4 mile short course which ran up the coast from Hilo Bay and returned to Bayfront and Kamehameha Canoe Club's halau.

• Canoe Club directory.  A world wide listing of clubs.  This page is yours to edit and add to.  Let's make it the best club directory around.  Add your club, or edit it if it's already listed.  Changes can be made by any user and are effective instantly so go for it.  
  
• New classifieds system.  You can add a classified under the 'add content' tab (must be logged in).  Your ad will be listed on the front page and on the classifieds page.
• Revamped community photo gallery, although pretty much the same functionality.
• Improved user profiles.  Under 'my account' you can add to your personal and paddling profiles.  (member list functionality coming soon)
• Improved search functionality.
  

To all race organizations: there is now the option of adding a Sponsor List to results and race recaps posted to OCPaddler.com. 

• The list can be images or names of companies that currently sponsor your organization.  They will be listed down the side of each story from your respective organization. 
  
• The service is free -- in the interest of giving paddling more exposure and supporting the people who support paddling. 

[Maui Schedule]

[Pacific Magazine]

Aloha all,
I am making some major upgrades to OCPaddler.com. Essentially the website has been gutted from the inside out. After over three years online, this is a much needed upgrade that will allow for all kinds of new features that I hope will make this website a better resource for the paddling community.

For registered users, your usernames and passwords should work as always. If you do encounter any obvious problems, please let me know asap.

Please keep in mind the upgrade process will be ongoing and many features will be lacking for a couple days. This has been just the initial transfer of all the old data to the new content management system. There are missing features (like the weather for example), but they will be recreated as soon as possible. Forum regulars may also find that the new forum doesn’t quite hold it’s own against the old one, but don’t worry it will only get better. There are so many advantages to all these changes; it’s just going to be awesome. I know, not very descriptive, but work with me here – more announcements to come as the new features roll out.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah

Keizo Gates