[Photos] by Makana Denton

[Photos] by Makana Denton
Artcle by Laurie Denton

Friendly trades and sunshine greeted the paddlers of YMCA Kauai Hoe Wa’a this past Sunday as they set out for the final race of the season.

[Photos] by Makana Denton
Article by Laurie Denton
After a month of monsoon rains, flooding, and bacteria laced muddy run-off, the paddlers of YMCA Kauai Hoe Wa’a were happy to toss raincoats aside to participate in the 7th race of our season on Sunday, April 9. Both short and long course divisions started at Kalapaki and headed to Poipu. Finishes were held at Poipu Beach Park and Kukuiula Harbor for the short and long course respectively.

Submitted by Laurie Denton
On Sunday, March 5, the paddlers of YMCA Kauai Hoe Wa’a association were hungry to face the chocolate waters and refreshingly blue skies of the west side for the 6th race of our season-generously sponsored by Waimea Brew Pub and ResortQuest Waimea Plantation Cottages. The long course paddlers took off from Port Allen Harbor and headed up wind for a mile and a quarter to round a buoy at Wahiawa Bay, then shot down the coast for another seven and half miles to the finish at Waimea Plantation Cottages. The short course also started at Port Allen and headed straight down to the Cottages as well.

After a week of changing winds and potentially threatening weather, YMCA Kauai Hoe Wa’a held their 4th paddling race of the season on Sunday, February 12. Long course began outside of Kapaa Beach Park and finished at Kalapaki beach. The short course put in at Wailua and also finished at Kalapaki. With 10-15mph northeasterly winds and swells and backwash influenced by the large northwest surf it turned out to be a freight train run at times. With equipment failures and the flipping of canoes and surf skis, some paddlers wisely cut their races short. However, most had the time of their lives out there. With max speeds of 15 to over 16 mph being reported by those who had a gps who could complain?