[Official Race Info]

78 paddlers took to the water off Noosa at the weekend to compete in the first race of the AOCRA Grand Prix Southern Zone OC1/OC2 series.
Talk turned to the various designs of canoes, available for racing, now registered in Australia that lined the Noosa beach.

After a slow start, that involved canoes being weighed, official numbers being issued for the season, paddler registrations and a bit of general chaos, the first race around Noosa headland was underway.

[Practice pays off for Outrigger Club] Honolulu Advertiser Article & Results
[Y2Kanu Photos courtesy Rick Leton
[Pacific Paddler Photos] courtesy Ropati Hebenstreit
[Complete Results] at Pacific Paddler

[Y2Kanu Photos] courtesy Rick Leton
[Pacific Paddler Photos] courtesy Ropati Hebenstreit
[Complete Results] at Pacific Paddler Online

Na Kai 'Ewalu's Iron Women's Race from Maliko to Kahului on Maui finished today.

It was a beautiful day with partial clouds so we didn't get too hot. Dina Starbuck introduced Kalena Goveia with a Hawaiian chant and then Kalena called blessings on the canoes and crews. Our wonderful Maui Lifeguards were out on their jetskis (Thanks, guys!). Everyone arrived safely.

[Kalapaki Cut Off!] Garden Island Article

[Results at Puna Canoe Club]

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.

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.

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.