Perfect surfing conditions and spectacular scenery treated early arrivals to a great run in 15-20 knot trade winds. The course was Kalihiwai Bay to Haena along Kauai’s beautiful north shore.

[Paddlers prize Kaua'i races (Honolulu Advertiser)]

A few final updates have been posted to the Kaua'i World Challenge website, including trailer info and the schedule for Friday.
Update: Final registration starts at 4 pm tonight (Friday) at the Carriage House at Kilohana Plantation. See above website for more info.

Robyn Saultry and Lisa Curry Kenny defend title.
Dean Gardiner/Nathan Baggaley win overall/ss div.
[Photos] by Makana Denton
[Garden Island Article]

Danny Ching gets every race! Shien Lu Stokesbary wins overall womens div.

This second annual race really lived up to its name, World Challenge. It was brutal as conditions changed from calm seas to very strong head winds on the last two legs making for difficult forward progress. This opened up the competition, as no one was favored in these elements. Generally, the Hawaiians are favored in normal trade winds due to their superior surfing skill. A great international field of over 100 teams competed with paddlers representing South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Canada, California, and of course, Hawaii. The first two legs offered very calm conditions. Leigh Wilson, from Sydney Australia, broke away from the huge group of paddlers in the men’s division at the first change that was located at beautiful Hanama‘ulu Beach Park. Maui local, Lauren Spalding, having just qualified to represent the U.S. at the Olympics in the K-2 and K-4, took the early lead in the women’s open division. In the highly competitive mixed men/women teams, Kauai’s David Beck held a slight lead over New Zealander Rick Nu‘u.

[Best of the Photos] 38 chosen photos
[All 487 Photos] Warning, there are 10 pages & hundreds of photos. An album of the best shots will be put together this week for those not on high speed internet. Photos will be available to buy at a later date.

Chalupsky brothers win overall. Aaron Naopleon & Kea Paiaina edge out Mike Judd & Tapa Worthington in mens div. Lisa Curry Kenny & Robyn Saultry win womens div.

[Honolulu Advertiser Article]
[Garden Island Article]
[Star Bulletin Article]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Napoleon, Paiaina Win 34-Mile Kaua`i Coastal Relay,
Chalupsky Brothers Dominate Surf Ski Division
SALT POND, Hawai`i, May 8, 2004 – More than 200 paddlers from all over the world battled to win the 2004 Steinlager-Pahio Resorts Kaua`i World Challenge making Kaua`i home to the largest outrigger canoe and surf ski relay race in the world, featuring a $20,000 purse and Olympic-level athletes from around the globe.

Aloha Paddlers,

There has been an important change to the schedule. The 2004 Steinlager
Kaua'i World Challenge will now be held on MAY 8th. The weekend after
the Ka'iwi Relay and before the Moloka'i Solo.

For those of you making traveling plans for this seasons big races you
can now hit the Ka'iwi Relay and the KWC or the KWC and the Solo in one
week. Spend two weeks in Hawaii and you can get what you might call a
'triple crown of paddling'! Also, remember the Maui to Molokai is the
April 24th, so take your pick, four great races in four weeks. $20,000
Steinlager Kaua'i World Challenge will surely be one of the best races
of the year. Big prizes, big party, and a memorable day for everyone.

The website is currently being updated with this information.
Registration is due by April 30 and will be available online shortly.
Please pass the word. Thank you.

Keizo Gates

This is by far probably the best paddling clip ever. Mahalos to Zach Lenz and Jeff Tober for producing and editing. If you have high speed internet,
Check it Out. (25 mb quicktime, but worth it)

Time again to start thinking about the 2004 Steinlager Kaua'i World Challenge! The date has been set for April 24, 2004, one week before the Ka'iwi Channel Relay. Please start marking your calendars. It will be run much like it was this year in the relay format with changes done at each beach. 34 miles total. And let's not forget the cash prizes! Further information and the official website will be posted on OCPaddler at a later date.

There are four nights free at the Radisson Kaua'i for a committing team from France, Italy, England, Panama, Costa Rica, Japan, or Brazil. Please contact Tom Bartlett directly regarding this offer.

Tom Bartlett, Contact Info:
fax: (808) 826-5506
email: tbart at radissonkauai.com
(note: replace 'at' with @)

Keizo Gates
KWC Web Coordinator