[Results] at Kanaka Ikaika
[Y2Kanu Photos] by Rick Leton

[Photos] by Marjie Santos
Results of Kamaili Orchids Pohoiki Challenge held today in Puna District of the Big Island. Both short and long courses started and finished at the Pohoiki Boat Ramp with the short course paddlers covering 6.5 miles, and the long course running south for 5 miles and returning to Pohoiki for a total of 10 miles. The traditional post race feast, dancing, bocce ball match and awards were held at the O'Shaughnessy's property at Kalapana, where a number of paddlers camped overnight, to be able to continue the party.

[Video Clip (9 mb Windows Media)] by Don Mehling
It was such a beautiful morning until we started racing and began to be cooled by a bit of a head wind. Why did we not foresee this and reverse the course I thought as I plowed my way upwind? Why aren’t I on an OC-2? Why does everyone in front of me look so effortless? You know all those thoughts that start running through your mind. As we rounded the buoy at Haycraft we still had to keep the uphill charge until finally there was some relief past McGregor’s point when everything was calm and HOT. Gee if it’s not one thing it is another. I think only a true downwind run would make most of us happy.

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?

With 144 paddlers on the course, and categories ranging from Couples (married or otherwise), I Couldn't Get a Date (2 men or 2 women), It's All About Me (solo paddlers), and of course the ever popular, First Time Paddle Date, plus 3 separate age group divisions for each category, there were many winners and lots of splits to figure out.

[Video (7 MB Quicktime)] by Melinda Clark
[Mudbrook Story] by Al Ching
[Long C. Results][Short C. Results] at SoCalOcean Racing

[Results] at Kanaka Ikaika
[Y2Kanu Photos] by Rick Leton

[Video (6.9 mb Quicktime)] by Melinda Clark
[Article] by Al Ching
[Results] at SoCal Ocean Racing

Light easterly winds and small chop made for fast, smooth racing conditions on Sunday January 29. In a course, which was supposedly longer than the last Port Allen venue on January 8, (although the long course did have a bit of a “running” start), times were consistently faster for the majority. Once again Noe Auger and Maui Kjeldsen clearly gapped the long course division. Gregg Davis has consistently dominated the men’s short course and a new face in the women’s division; Lilinoe Forrest garnered the short course title.

Jane Mckee wins open W.
[Results] at Kanaka Ikaika