Kauai Hoe Wa'a YMCA/Steinlager Valentine's day Relay

Kaua’i Hoe Wa’a “Anything Goes” Race

2/14/10

What initially was promoted as a Valentines Day Couples race turned into a fun relay race for most participants and a great experience for many new paddlers participating for the first time in a Kauai Hoe Wa`a event. The race organizers knew they were in for a challenge when they found the initial turnout was going to be small due to not enough female competitors so they made an exception for all male teams as long as one of the guys would “dress the part.” Only two guys were good sports – Aaron Labuguen and Gaylord Wilcox donned the bikini tops for their teams and did very well in the long course coming in first overall and in midfield respectively. Gaylord, 65, and his partner from Honolulu, Nappy Napolean at 67 also won top combined age . So along with male-female teams , we had all male teams and people doing the courses solo. A total of 40 canoes with 80 participants all had a great time!

In the long course from Kalapaki to Port Allen with a relay turn at Waiohai Aaron Labuguen and Tyrus Siale at 2 hours 56 minutes with the OC2 team of Brian/Beth Carter and Margie Goodno and Don Moomaw just seconds behind. Butch Keahiolalo chose to do the course “solo” and was about a minute behind. Mark and Alana Frasier had a great race at 3:03 followed by AJ Irons and Elle Johnson at 3:10. For the 60 year olds Tom Thompson and Jeff Ohara who participated in his first race after a long absence from competition did very well at 3:17-watch out for them in the strong 60’s division at the Kauai World Challenge in MAy. Visitors at Poipu Beach enjoyed watching the Waiohai relay change and talking with the competitors showing great interest in the sport.

What began as a light North wind providing the first leg with a decent run turned into a tough headwind from Kauai Coffee Mill to the Port Allen Fishing Club finish making the second leg for all participants in both the long and short courses very challenging.

Possibly the most fun race was the short course first leg from Waiohai to Kukuiula Harbor. There were a good number of ladies who were competeing for the first time and new to the sport of OC1 paddling. Coming into the harbor everyone was very close making it exciting for the participants as well as the spectators. First lady round the mark was Marleney Cotrim. Most notable were the terrific performances by both Mark McDonald (with wife Fran) and Kalani Vierra (and wife Traci) who passed several competitors along the second leg to finish at the top. Newcomers to the island Pablo Herrera and Shanti Manzanti finished second overall. Becky Snowden did very well for her first race on an OC1. In the Solo group, Lucky Hookano was first in at 1:40 followed by Damien Omakanim. Jon Li and Ann Alo had a fun race along with Greg and Emiko Meyers who literally handed off their baby at the relay point. Neil Zaslow and Maureen Murphy chose to do the “solo” for a good workout and got more than they expected due to the changing wind direct- had they teamed up they would have won combined age however that destinction when to Joy and Arthur Chow.

Post race festivities took place at the Port Allen fishing club with beverages provided by Steinlager and a great lunch prepared by Kukuiula Canoe Club. Fun prizes were provided by Kai Wa’a , the OC1 canoe builder on Maui and Chris Kauwe Honi Honi Honey.

Next race is scheduled for Sunday February 28 from Kapaa to Kalapaki (long) and Wailua to Kalapaki (short) weather permitting. Paddleboards, Standups and sufskis are invited to participate. Check the Kauai Hoe Waa website for updates or call Tom Bartlett at 6520406.

#1 Wed, 02/17/2010 - 10:10pm