The first annual Big Boy Iron man OC 6 challenge was held today. It was great.
Start was at 0900 am from Kailua, Oahu, beach park. Four paddlers in the boat, two holding. The strength of the fields was about 30 crews.
As usual for take offs from Kailua beach, the course runs out to Flat Island, then takes a right towards Lanikai, Waimanolo Bay, and continues 'jungle rules' all the way to Hawaii Kai at the boat house.
This makes for a race distance of about 16 miles. No changes, iron man. For those who do not know the course, the first half of the race leads along Lanikai inside the Mokuleas, into Waimanolo Bay - here you have some surf from the left, today average 2 feet, highest about three feet, a lot of little 'runners' that you can catch all the way.
It passes Makai Pier and leads to Makapu Point, the South Eastern point of Oahu, here the waters can get quite agitated, today rather easy conditions maybe 4-5/10 ?, overall not easy to paddle very effectively, but no scary wave action.
From there down to Hanauma Bay and further Portlock was not all that excitying today, some swell opportunities, not easy to get a long surf. At Portlock the water was agitated, but the wave energy did not propel the boats forward as much as you would have liked, still very much fun to paddle, I love that section close to the wall, trying to get on the surf that is being cast back from the rock.
Around Portlock into the bay, a refreshing breeze into our faces, from the front right. A few small bumps were out there. We had to correct the course to avoid hitting the reef two/three times. Nothing special down to the finish line, 'e kaupe'.
At the beach park as a nice surprise, free soda from one of the sponsors. Very welcome and thank you.
We did not have to take care of the canoes, as the wahine teams will continue from Hawaii Kai in their race tomorrow. So we made it over to the Kona Brewing Company. Free lunch buffet, very nice 'ambiente', some beer if you want, all delicious.
Great distance at this stage of the season, most teams are not at their peak yet, but 16 miles feels just right, ironman is definitely ok for this distance. Just make sure that your drinking bag functions well ... yes, no canoe race without surprises ever.
Super athmosphere and ohana after the race. Mahalo.
Race was organized by Koa Kai Canoe Club as you can read in the following posts. Thanks.
