[New Zealand/Hawai'i paddlers surf to victory ] Honolulu Advertiser
[Tresnak steers Healani
to win in opener] Honolulu Star Bulletin
[Partial Results at Y2Kanu]
[Y2Kanu Photos] courtesy Rick Leton

Article courtesy The Maui News - 8/17

LAHAINA — Kahana Canoe Club finished first in the men’s division of the George Paoa Memorial Race on Saturday. Lae Ula O Kai topped the women’s division in winds between 15-25 mph and large waves.

Queen Ka‘ahumanu Ironwoman Race
Maliko to Kahului Harbor
August 23, 2003

Divisions: (all 6-women outrigger canoe)
Novice (1st or 2nd yr) with an experienced, open steerswoman
Open
Master (35 and up)
Senior Master (45 and up)

Time: Registration opens 7:30. Pule at 8:00. Start at 8:30

Place: Start at Maliko Gulch. End at Kahului Harbor

Entry Fee: $120 per crew

Contact: Na Kai ‘Ewalu
Faith Mori @ 878-6075 or Karen Chun @ 579-9328
Email: Karen@MauiPaddle.com

Beautiful medals will be awarded to each paddler in the first and second place crews in each division.

A champagne brunch will follow the race.

Canvas is required. No escort boats or coaching allowed.
We will have safety boats on hand.

Canoes available for crews from other islands

This is the only woman’s iron outrigger canoe race in the world. We do this race to honor Queen Ka‘ahumanu, a strong, athletic ruler who did much to free society from the stifling kapu system. To help us honor her and her sisters-in-spirit, our women paddlers, we are requesting that any men who may be tempted to paddle during this race, please respect our wishes and save your energy for tomorrow’s Great Kahakaloa Race.

Aloha!

The Philadelphia Outrigger Canoe Club (POCC) and the East Coast Outrigger Racing Association (ECORA) will host the first annual East Coast Outrigger Canoe Sprint Championships in Philadelphiaon Sept 13th, 2003. This is inaugural year of this premier event, which will feature over 30 teams from all over the east coast from Florida to Maine and will crown the fastest team in the east. Teams will participate in several classes of boats and in various divisions. The event will also feature Community Challenge races for area businesses, community and “law enforcement” groups and a challenger division for mentally disabled athletes.

Early registration deadline is August 20th and registration closes Sept 5th. No experience is necessary to participate, so come join the fun and experience the spirit of Aloha! For more information, go to www.phillyoutrigger.com/eastcoastsprints.

Article courtesy The Maui News - 8/10

MAALAEA — Wailea Canoe Club exploded into the long-distance canoe paddling season Saturday, grabbing the top two honors in the men’s and women’s divisions, at the 13th Annual Dutchy Kino Memorial Long Distance Classic.

The event, which was hosted by Hawaiian Canoe Club, featured Wailea’s 1-2 finish in the 10-mile women’s race from Launiupoko Beach Park to Maalaea Harbor and a 1-2 finish by the Wailea men in the 18-mile race from Maalaea Harbor to Hanakaoo Beach Park in Kaanapali.

[Results]
[KOA.org Recap]

Official Race Page

Its fast approaching! time to join up with the California Paddler on the annual migration to Avalon!
Offshore Canoe Club in conjunction with Catalina Outrigger and KOA are ready to bring you across the channel from Newport to Catalina Island.

Hosted by Makaha, 28 miles, Sunset Beach to Makaha Beach
[See Y2kanu]
[Y2kanu Photos]

[Photos (mostly of 4th pl Kaiola team)] by Andy Snow

Nineteen Canoes paddled from Hanalei to Kekaha today a total of about 35 miles. Each canoe consisted of a mens team and womens team switching every 30 minutes.

Mens started and of-course it was the 'All Star' team leading by the end of the first change. After that they never looked back and finished 15 min ahead of 2nd and set a new record time. The winning Anuenue/Hawaiian crews included paddlers Aaron Napoleon, Kai Bartlett, David Beck, as well as three other top paddlers. Their womens team was steered by Noe Sawyer and included some top women from Maui.

Trades were blowing 15-25 and some pieces just after Ke'e were a blast. Sometimes the surfing was just like a oneman... it was so fun. But then there was plenty of flat water that was.. well.. not so fun. Over all it was a pretty good race. Next year the gathering after the race will hopefully be bigger and better and hopefully more crews will show up.

Clear skies and calm weather made for a hot and sunny race yesterday at the 22nd Annual A.J. McDanold Long Distance Outrigger Canoe Race, hosted by Keauhou Canoe Club. Sixty canoes representing twelve island-wide clubs participated in the event that ran loop courses from Keauhou Bay towards Kailua and back again. The conditions provided little help for the crews in races that were thus decided by strength and endurance. The Open Koa Women division provided the racing highlight of the day, as the top two boats vied for the lead throughout the race and finished the eight-mile race less than one second apart.

Keauhou Canoe club extends its heartfelt Mahalo to A.J. McDanold for once again sponsoring this excellent West Hawai’i opening to the long distance racing season.