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.