[Race Recap][More Photos][Results] at Wave Chaser
[Photos] courtesy Gary Kunsman

[Results]
[Y2Kanu Photos] courtesy Rick Leton

The open water OC1 season started off Saturday with the traditional relay race from Umatac Bay to Nimitz Beach, Agat and back. Flat seas and little wind kept the paddlers working hard both directions with the Northern and 1st leg a little easier with a small swell and slight wind chop pushing the first boats up the coast.

[Photos] courtesy Marjie Santos
Today's Sixth Annual Valentines Relay was the best attended event of the season. Divisions and Categories were created on the spot to accommodate all paddlers - to include "Menage a Trois" with two guys tagging off the same wahine paddler on the beach at Kamakahonu, and even the "I can't get a Date" (M&M) category, pairing up two guys to paddle on the same team. Needless to say, figuring out the results was quite a challenge!
Happy Valentines Day to all!

Team of Chris Maynard and Mike Murray took 1st overall. Danielle Lindsay and Jasmine Cohen won the women's division. Matt Carter and Lisa Curry Kenny won the mens and womens solo divisions, respectively. Many of the top teams will be attending the Steinlager Kaua'i World Challenge in May. See the full
[Article & Results] courtesy Matt Carter of Outrigger Australia

[Tahiti Guide: Race Report]
The 12th Hawaiki Nui Va'a race between Huahine, Raiatea, Tahaa and Bora-Bora was held in October, but I have seen no visible coverage of it. This article from Tahiti Guide gives a great race report.

Aloha Paddlers,

There has been an important change to the schedule. The 2004 Steinlager
Kaua'i World Challenge will now be held on MAY 8th. The weekend after
the Ka'iwi Relay and before the Moloka'i Solo.

For those of you making traveling plans for this seasons big races you
can now hit the Ka'iwi Relay and the KWC or the KWC and the Solo in one
week. Spend two weeks in Hawaii and you can get what you might call a
'triple crown of paddling'! Also, remember the Maui to Molokai is the
April 24th, so take your pick, four great races in four weeks. $20,000
Steinlager Kaua'i World Challenge will surely be one of the best races
of the year. Big prizes, big party, and a memorable day for everyone.

The website is currently being updated with this information.
Registration is due by April 30 and will be available online shortly.
Please pass the word. Thank you.

Keizo Gates

[OC1 National Sprints] held on February 8th at Orakei Basin, Auckland

In January the Sprint Nationals for six-mans were held. The week long even also served as the qualifying event for the Hilo World Sprints. See:
[January News, NZ Sprint Nationals]

[Y2kanu Photos] courtesy Rick Leton
[Results]

by Kimberlee Stuart

Once again David Beck blew away all the competition in the Kaua'i Hoe Wa'a Port Allen to Waimea Plantation Cottages Race this Sunday, February 8th. Despite waveless and windless conditions Beck flew past paddlers at a steady clip, finishing the 11 mile race nearly 5 minutes ahead of second place Hipo Princena .