In only four weeks is the race that the best of the best, paddlers from Hawaii, New Zealand, California, and possibly Tahiti and Europe have been training all year for. The Molokai World Championship is the most challenging race of the year, crossing 33 miles of one of the world’s roughest navigable channels. The competitors will need to combine endurance, strength, and technique equally along with surfing ability and ocean knowledge to even finish the race.

[Photos] courtesy Jenn Konohia
Maui Canoe & Kayak Club – 2004 Ocean Racing Series – Race 8 – Maliko

The hana hou on our Maliko run was a BLAST! We awoke to the sound of wind blowing through our windows – a good sign. Loaded the trailer and headed for registration. There was lots of help today and things ran very smoothly.

[Photos] by Marjie Santos
Results of the 6th Annual Starbucks JJ's Big Island Challenge.
The canoes/surfskis launched at the Puako Boat Ramp and finished the 31 mile course at Honokohau Harbor.

The first canoe to cross the line in 3:32:00 was the OC-2 with the four man crew of Nue Youderian, Lyle Palakiko, Leo Santimer and Steve Arnett. These men broke the record of 3:37:36 which was set last year on an OC-1 by the two man team of Bruce Ayau and Ikaika Hauanio.

Article courtesy The Maui News
Saturday, April 17, 2004 — Time: 10:16:51 PM EST

OAKLAND, Calif. - Kula's Lauren Spalding is one race away from a trip to Athens, Greece, this summer to compete in the Olympic Games.

Spalding and Kailua's Kathy Colin combined to win the K2 500-meter race at the U.S. kayak Olympic trials at Merritt Lake on Friday. The victory earned the pair a berth in the Olympic qualifying races in Brazil on April 28. The winner of the race in Brazil qualifies for the Olympic Games.

[Results] at pnworca.org

More Info at [http://www.waikikibeachboys.com/]

[rochesterdandc.com]

[Results]
[Photos] at Y2Kanu

Updates:[Mudbrook Paddles Article] courtesy Al Ching
[Photos] by Renate Winter
Results and new course records posted at www.canoesports.com

Great job to the new women's record holders Jeane Barrett and Jill Schooler! And what can we say about Danny Ching and Dan Barbosa....bastar...i mean...You'll make us proud at the Kauai World Challenge!

[Photos] courtesy Makana Denton
story by Kimberlee Stuart
A break in the clouds and decent winds made the run a good one for Kaua'i Hoe Paddlers in the 7th series race sponsored by Kai Kane's. The cliffs at Mahaluepu looked like a beautiful misty Chinese painting from out in the ocean (for those who perhaps weren't as race-focussed as they should have been!) Long distance competitors paddled from Kalapaki to the Kukuiola Small Boat Harbor in a distance of about 14 miles and the short distance paddlers came in about 2 miles earlier at the Waiohai in Poipu. Paddlers were greeted with food and beverage at the finish down at Brenneke's Beach Park.