February 2009 - Pacific Paddler magazine

February 2009
F REE i n H awa i i
Covering Hawai‘i’s State Team Sport since 1996
PRSRT. STD. U.S.
POSTAGE PAID
Honolulu, Hi
Permit No. 583
Contents
Aloha
In these tough
economic times,
it becomes even
more critical that
we thank those
businesses who
help us continue
to provide the
paddling community with their
own magazine.
Because of them, we have been able
to share stories from paddlers around
the world. From South America to North
America, Italy to Australia, New Zealand
to the Cook Islands, Fiji to the North
Sea, Japan to Easter Island, Hong Kong
to Canada. Paddling is a global sport.
Having produced 77 issues of Pacific
Paddler, we have seen how the outrigger
canoe has brought people together from
all walks of life, backgrounds and cultures.
Even though we may speak a different
language, we all share a common bond.
Thanks goes out to our advertisers and
subscribers for helping us bring the excitement and culture of paddling
to you and to help us perpetuate our Polynesian heritage.
"That's me on the cover," said
Spencer York who was over
from California to compete
in Kanaka Ikaika's race #1.
"You can see my little finger."
Dash 4 $
5
Mel Pu’u’s SUP & Canoe Surfing 10
Vaka Eiva, Cook Islands
14
Hilo side of the Big Island
21
SoCal
22
OIA
24
ILH
28
Hong Kong
30
Ke Kai O'Huane, Monterey
31
Makahiki @ Makaha
32
Havaiana, Brazil
38
Published by: Ropati Hebenstreit
Writers: Cheance Adair, Alexey
Bevilacqua, Jed Gushman, Dena
Jones, Peter Caldwell, Randy Botti,
Serena Hunter, Katie Slocumb
Photos: Pete Caldwell, Harvie
Allison, Brian Vestyck—
Hamsterworks.com, Margie
Kahookele, Ropati Hebenstreit
Proof reader: Amy Hebenstreit
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Pacific Paddler
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February 2009 Vol 13.6
On the cover
Makahiki, Makaha
Photo by Ropati
Address: PO Box 300345,
Ka‘a‘awa, HI 96730
PHONE: (808) 351-2398
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only here in Hawaii, but
around the world. Thanks for
your contribution to the sport.
©
2009 Pacific Paddler is published six
times a year. No reproduction without permission. No responsibility is assumed by publisher
as to the contents’ accuracy or completeness.
Dash 4 $
Leonard Lupine, 3rd 50-59
The Kanaka Ikaika Racing
Association held their first
race of the 2009 season on
the Windward side of Oahu.
Race one, of nine slatted for
the season, started from Makai
Pier (for the long course) and
Waimanalo (for the short).
Both long and short courses
converged at Flat Island for the
final push to the finish at Kailua
Beach Park. The turn out was
good for the Sunday morning
race, even though the night
before, a small crafts advisory
had been posted by weather
forecasters. Despite this, a lot
of paddlers had decided that
whatever the conditions, they
were going to race. All the way
up to the start, it was cold and
drizzling, but as soon as the
race began, the clouds lifted, the
winds dropped, and the ocean
Coburn Hopkins, 18 and under division
became malia, calm and flat.
There wasn’t going to be much
action as far as bumps to ride
on the course today.
The first race of the season
was sponsored by Kamanu
Composites, a canoe company
who specialize in custom OC-1
construction. Kamanu is made
up of paddlers Johnny Puakea,
who also coaches Team Bradley,
Keizo Gates, who also manages
OC paddler, and paddlers Kelly
Foster and Luke Evslin. Luke
Alfred Van Gieson (aka Pinabata), 3rd in the long course
finished second last year in this
race.
Of the 96 paddlers in the
long, and 51 in the short course
who lined up at the starting line,
a few didn’t make it to the finish.
Both Danny Sheard, who is
here from Australia, and Manny
Kulukulualani, who won this
race last year, took a pounding
in the surf and ended up on the
rocks, with their demolished
canoes on Rabbit Island.
As an added incentive the
race offered a Dash-for-Cash
Mike Hangai, 2nd in 30-39, 11th overall
prize for the first man and woman to reach
the cash buoy.
"Our friend Charlie Cantogg, who owns
NS Air Conditioning, wanted to put down
some money for the race and he really
wanted to have a Dash-for-Cash, where a
buoy is set a couple of minutes from the
start to get everyone going. It's something
different, because I don’t know (at least in
Hawaii) any race that's had something like
that," said Luke.
First in the short course was Rusty
Goings. Rusty was clocked in at 53:58
when he completed the five mile race
February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
Norm Bradley, 1st stand-up paddle
Katie Slocumb and Pat Von, 2nd OC-2
from Waimanalo. He was probably
one of the youngest competing, also
winning the 18 and under division.
Second in the short and a half-minute
behind Rusty was Julian Wicker. Eaton
Dayrell-Stulen came in third.
The first woman in the short course
was Allyn Momo’a on her OC-1 with
a time of 59:52. Madisen Minkel took
second and Jen Polcer third.
It was a close finish in the long
course, with the top three still jostling
for position on the home stretch. Mael
Carey from Maui finished first in
1:07:28 seconds.
"The course was a blast out from
Makai Pier," said Mael. "Obviously
there was a little cash bonus today.
We got to thank NS Air Conditioning
from the North Shore and also
Kamanu Composites for getting
involved with that. It’s good for the
sport. Danny and Alfred were first to
the buoy, and then it was just a downwind, downturn to Kailua, very flat. I
just worked-and-worked and was fortunate to hold them all off to the end,"
said Mael.
"Mael, Alfred and I battled it the
whole way, all the way up to the
Mokes and then on the way down to
Flat Island, Mael had the lead," said
Danny. "I started to get away from
Danny Ching, 4th OC-1
Jim and Noah Foti, 1st OC-2, long course
Kelsa Teeters
Tyson Dawson
Time-keeper & race organizer, Jon Emmerson
Luke Evslin, 2nd OC-1
Rusty Goings, first OC-1, short course
Aaron Napoleon on his rudderless
Pete Caldwell, 3rd 60+
Lori Nakamura
Alfred, and right at the end
Alfred got me, and Luke came
up from behind and passed
both of us."
Mael finished just 6-seconds
ahead of Luke Evslin who took
second. Third OC-1 overall was
Alfred Van Gieson who was
only seven seconds behind Luke.
Danny Ching who won the
2008 Molokai World Solo
Championships was over
from California to compete in
Hawaii. He was 4th overall in
an OC-1
"Today was tough, but it’s
definitely good to be here,"
said Danny. California has
really been cold the last couple
of weeks. Everyone's been
complaining how cold it was,
but luckily the sun came out, it
Dagan Johnston
was a good day."
In the Dash-for-Cash Alfred
Van Gieson collected $200
and Arlene Holzman pocketed
$100. She also won $200
for first woman to finish. Mael
Carey took home $400 for
being the first OC-1 paddler to
finish.
A complete list of finishers,
their times and division winners
can be found at Kanaka Ikaika’s
web site, kanakaikaika.com.
Fred Delos Santos
Manny Kulukulualani
Sean Kaawa rounds the finish buoy
Danny Sheard (Australia)
Morgan Hoestery, 1st stand-up
February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
Madisen Minkel & Jessica Eames
Eric Soo
Mel Pu’u’s Standup &
Canoe Surfing Champs
Leighton Look Memorial
Makaha, Saturday December 6, 2008
The Makaha surf break
delivered with usual style
for this year’s Leighton Look
Memorial surfing contest,
organized by local lifeguard
and all-around waterman Mel
Pu’u. The contest is now an
annual event, and was started
to help assist the family of
Leighton Look. Leighton was
a revered paddler, coach
and wood canoe and paddle
maker who was injured in
a diving accident. Leighton
recently passed away, and
the contest continues to
aid the family and honor
our legendary friend. The
contest initially consisted of
only OC-4 canoe surfing, but
stand-up paddleboard (SUP)
surfing was added due to
10 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
the increase in popularity of
the sport and the number of
amazing SUP surfers. Canoe
and SUP rounds were alternated during the day, and
there were several versatile
athletes who participated in
both sports.
The northwest swell had
dropped a little that week,
which meant that it was the
luck of the draw whether you
were in a heat with consistent
waves, or if you had to get
your game face on and really
work to jockey for wave position against some of the best
canoe and SUP surfers in the
world. Of course doing that
meant you might end up with
the pole position… or you
might have gone a little too
far into the pocket! As usual at
Makaha, the wipeouts provided
NASCAR-style drama and thrills,
especially during the canoe
heats, with people and equipment sent aloft. Even the best
crews and SUP surfers supplied
some of the crashes. It was
truly a spectator event! Heaps
of great raffle prizes, including
paddles and surfboards, and
Got stick,
will stick. A
big part of
maneuvering
your canoe
on a wave is
in the hand of
the steersman
and his
paddle. Dave
Chun shows
his blade.
silent auction items added to
the excitement.
Approximately 60 people
entered the SUP contest, while
the OC-4 contest had about 20
canoe teams. Top SUP surfers
were 1) Kekoa Auwai, 2) Kamu
Auwai, 3) Bonga Perkins, 4)
Keone Keaulana, 5) Ikaika
Kalama, and 6) Ned Snow.
Two women braved the SUP
contest: Mel’s daughter Nalu
Pu’u, and veteran wave charger
Tiare Lawrence. The final OC4 heat included Controlled
Chaos, Team West Side, Team
Honolua (from Maui), and
steering the winning crew Team
Quick, Mel Pu’u himself. Mel
was stoked that his nephew,
who just recently started canoe
surfing, made the finals steering
Team Honolua. He said that
he was also glad that even
though the waves had dropped
that week, they held the contest
12 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
that day instead of waiting
until the following weekend,
when the waves ended up
being FLAT! One of the biggest
variables and risks in holding
surfing contests… will there be
waves… or not??? So for the
upcoming Buffalo Keaulana surf
contests in February, we’ll be
praying for surf!
Katie Slocumb
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 13
Vaka Eiva, Cook Islands
By Serena Hunter
Over 600 paddlers, 70 crews, from
seven countries took part in the 5th
Steinlager Vaka Eiva in Rarotonga. It
was huge, even bigger than the Rugby
7’s festival the preceding week, not bad
in what is a rugby-mad nation.
Crews from California and Guam
participated for the first time in what
is now the largest sporting event in
the Cook Islands, joining crews from
Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti
and the host country for eight days of
racing, socializing, culture and festivities. The sun came out in force for much
of the week which included OC1 races,
Avana iron V6, Muri sprints, junior
U14s, U16s, and U19s races, and the
premier 'Around Island Race'.
A moving Hawaiian chant by Anona
Napoleon helped set the scene at the
traditional blessing of canoes before a
large group of paddlers and supporters.
The conditions were hot and flat for
much of the week, although the OC1
open 18k and masters 12k on the first
day had a bit of chop. Jeanne Barratt of
Lanikila took out the masters women's
12k with Team Xylo’s Tania Moohin a
close second, and Ngakau Toa’s Serena
14 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
Photos by Harvie Allison
Hunter in 3rd. The host country had
finishers in the top three in all OC1
races, with Te Tupu’s Allen Sullivan
taking out 2nd in the masters behind
Team Toru’s Tonga White (NZ), and
Team Xylo’s Marty Strecker coming 3rd.
The U19s also raced with the masters,
and Sunshine Coast’s Andrew McAlen
(AUS) showed impressive form not only
taking out the U19s but coming in first
overall in a time of 1.07.51. Local club
Ngakau Toa’s Eva Koteka and Tupuna
Amo took out second and third, also in
top ten overall.
Two U19s girls joined the masters
women's race, Te Tupu’s (CI) Emilene
Taulu and Sunshine Coast’s Jami
Hamilton (AUS). New Zealand's Bernie
Murch returned to take line honours
once again in the open women's Avana
Iron 18k, with Tahiti’s Mildred Taha four
and a half minutes later in 2nd with Te
tupu’s Tamsyn Dearlove seconds behind
in third.
It was a close race up to Avana in
the open men’s with Cooks top paddler
Reuben Dearlove just leading Australia’s
Lucas Gamble, however a nasty stomach
bug forced Reuben to pull out at the
turnaround. Gamble romped home in
first, with Ngakau Toa paddlers Richard
Denny and Joshua Mitchell doing their
club proud placing 2nd and 3rd.
The afternoon finished with the OC1
prize giving, the opening ceremony,
Cook Islands dancing, and most also
enjoyed a few nice cold green ones
under a beautiful balmy Rarotongan
sunset at Avarua Harbor.
Although flat, the V6 iron 12k and
18k races on Monday saw a couple of
teams wiped out by rogue waves close
to the reef, open women’s Aotearoa
Oiwi getting swiped 4kms out from
home while in 3rd place, and Nappy’s
Anuenue crew getting swiped out of
their canoe over the reef, but retrieving
their canoe to paddle inside the reef, still
smiling, to the finish line.
Team Xylo (AUS) easily won the
masters women's 12k ahead of Team
Livestrong (HAW) and QuOzzies in
third. Five of the Team Xylo crew stayed
in and competed in the open women's
18k race doing very well to place 2nd
behind Tahiti’s Ruahine, with Lanikila in
3rd. Team Xylo men took out the men’s
masters race with NZ’s Team Phoenix a
minute behind and local crew Te Tupu
in third. The Cook Islands/Australia
combination crew Moana O Kiva
made up of Te Tupu and Team Tiger
paddlers took out the open men's
race just over two minutes ahead of
Ngakau Toa with Northern Beaches
from Australia in third.
Very hot conditions on the Tuesday
for the U19s ocean races saw two
paddlers needing medical attention.
However the juniors showed impressive racing form over the 10k distance
with Australia’s Sunshine Coast too
good in both the boys and girls divisions, with last year’s champs Ngakau
Toa boys in second and NZ’s Portage
Inmates in third, and Mauao Maidenz
(NZ) taking out 2nd in the girls and Te
Tupu third. While the sun was blasting
out at sea, the U14s and U16s raced
their 2k and 4k races at Muri Beach in
torrential rain. First year for these divisions shows the growth and promise
in the junior ranks. Almost 150 juniors
from New Zealand, Australia and the
Cook Islands took part in this year’s
Vaka Eiva, terrific for the development
of the sport. Oe vaka is now a part of
the national curriculum in Rarotonga,
and earlier in the year schools vied
against each other in the Vaka Iti, the
first inter-school competition.
A record 105 swimmers took part
in the Trader Jack’s Charity Boiler Swim
on the Tuesday, with proceeds going
to local charity Hospital Comforts,
which also benefited from $3,000 and
hundreds of dollars worth of supplies
and equipment generously donated
by the Whitecap Wallabies team
from Australia. Another local charity,
the Esther Honey Animal Foundation
also received a generous donation of
supplies procured by the Wallabies,
showing more positive spinoffs the event
has on the local community.
A traditional warrior’s turou
(welcome) greeted hundreds of
paddlers and supporters to the popular
Muri Beach sprints on Wednesday,
however a few rain downpours did
nothing to dampen the festive spirit
during the day. Fun novelty races
interspersed with serious sprint racing
kept everyone entertained, and the
16 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
Hot flat conditions weren’t what
most paddlers wanted for the premier
around island race on Friday, however
the conditions certainly lent themselves
to records being broken, and broken
they were. In fact the young Ruahine
crew from Tahiti, with the youngest
paddler being 15 years old, smashed
the 2006 women's course record by
eight minutes, coming in with a time
of 2.51.54. Spectacular effort, and
one which is not likely to be matched
for a while. The strong New Zealand
crew Aotearoa Oiwi had a battle with
Australia’s team Xylo through much
of the race, but came through with a
strong finish to take second place in a
time of 2.54.21, with Xylo third overall
also under the 3-hour mark in a time of
2.55.27, as well as taking honours as
first masters team.
Team Livestrong and Lanakila
battled with CI, Te Tupu/Livefree
through much of the race for fourth
overall, all finishing within a minute
and a half of each other with Te
Tupu/Livefree placing 3rd in the open,
and Lanakila 3rd masters team. The
San Diego Outrigger women's team
sun eventually showed itself later in
the afternoon. The popular ‘pop the
ama’ competition was fierce, and the
Lanikila ladies said it was something
they’d definitely ‘train’ for next time!
There was more fun and socializing
into the night at the Muri Mingler party.
The U19s battled again in
Thursdays 15km ocean race, with the
Sunshine Coast boys again taking
line honours ahead of local crews
Ngakau Toa and Te Tupu, and there
was a shakeup in the girls race with
the Te Tupu girls winning a good race
ahead of Sunshine Coast girls, and
Mauao Maidenz third. Two years ago
the Vaka Eiva introduced U19s with a
lagoon race, and has now progressed
to 10k and 15k ocean races in what
can be testing conditions.
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 17
had their own battle with local crew
Ngakau Toa, and could be heard
admiring the scenery and the clear
waters as they raced along the spectacular Rarotonga backdrop.
The men’s Pacific Cup race was a
highly anticipated race, with Moana
o Kiva expected to be in top spot after
their success in Monday’s iron race,
and local club Ngakau Toa aiming to
keep them on their toes. In an exciting
showdown Moana o Kiva led for
much of the race, until Ngakau Toa
overtook with around 8km to go, to
18 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
much screaming and
cheering not only from the support
craft on water but also from the scores
of spectators driving along to viewpoints along the coast. Ngakau Toa
looked fired up as they paddled into a
huge cheering crowd at Trader Jack’s
waterfront for their first ever win of the
Pacific Cup, and setting a new course
record of 2.34.19 in the process.
Moana o Kiva came in 39 seconds in
arrears. Northern Beaches (AUS) had
their own exciting battle with Vaka
Manu (NZ) around the island for third,
with the 'Aussie' team just nipping
across the finish line six-seconds
ahead. Team Phoenix from NZ took
out line honours in the master’s division in a time of 2.41.41, followed by
the Mana Men (NZ), and Xylo third,
impressive given two of their ladies
who had paddled in the morning,
helped make up their crew.
An exhilarating finish to the week,
and one which set the tone for the
paddler’s party at Traders, following
the medal presentations with winners
Winners of the Vaka Eiva around Rarotonga island
also set a new course record. decked in pearl shell medals and neck
eis, and a scrumptious island feast.
Already crews are booking spots
for Vaka Eiva 2009. Some may
be returning for a sixth time, such
as Nappy’s Anuenue crew, Mana
Pasifica (formerly Kai Ngaru from
NZ), the Tahitian women’s crew, and
NZ’s Aotearoa Oiwi crew led by Lara
Collins and Bernie Murch.
The Hawaiian and California ladies
loved the event, and promised they’ll
be back. The Lanakila ladies who
placed 2nd in the Catalina this year,
had decided to do Rarotonga instead
of Hawaii this year, and said they
were very impressed. “Everyone was
so welcoming and friendly, the racing
was highly competitive, but I think the
culture aspect was really nice,” said
Aimee Spector.
The Livestrong team made up of
Kai Opua club members were happy
they signed on to do Vaka Eiva even if
their male Livestrong counterparts, last
year’s men's champs, weren’t able to
make it. “ It was the best race ever,
so much fun, there’s no comparison,
nothing like it. It reminded me why I
love paddling,” said Grace Emanuel.
“We will definitely be back!”
Perhaps Rambo (aka Ian Newland
from Australia) who had a busy week
in the water filming the races nailed
it, “this place is the must visit, must
paddle location on earth, it's paradise
and every fun loving paddler should
pencil it in their calendar for 2009”.
For full results go to vakaeiva.com.
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 19
CA gals visit 'Cooks'
If you do happen to Google
'Cook Islands' you'll find them out
in the middle of the big blue ocean
surrounded by more blue than you
can hope to imagine.
Phil and MJ Gumbert suggested
that I race the Vaka Eiva event on the
Cook Islands. Being one for adventure, I thought, 'why not?' When
Kathy Jensen and a few of her Casco
Bay marathon crew were making the
excursion, I rallied a few of the gals
from SDOCC, and we had our nine.
We were fortunate that there was a
canoe available at the late date that
I notified the event organizer that we
were interested. The island is small and
canoes are not as easy to come by as
they are on our mainland.
A huge thanks to my friends Lara
Collins of N.Z. and Victoria Dearlove
from the 'Cooks' for their help in getting
us there, getting us a canoe, and
putting us in touch with Tim and Janelle
Jerks.
We hooked up with Tim and Janelle
and stayed at by far the best place on
the Island, Te Moana near Muri Beach
Lagoon. We had a beautiful A-frame
house at our disposal the whole week. It
was fabulous (www.temoanamuri.com/
villas.html).
Vaka Eiva's week of racing is set up
so that you get the most bang for your
New Zealand buck.
Arrive for opening ceremonies
Friday, and then hop on a one man for
Saturday's race; Take Sunday off for
leisure day on the island; On Monday
race the iron distance event, and then
have all afternoon to meet up with
locals, snorkel, shop or scooter around
the island; Tuesday plan a trip to walk
across the island with Pa on his Cross
Island Trek, learn about local plants
and their medicinal value from one of
the island's most colorful and heartwarming ecologists; Wednesday spend
a fun-filled day at the Lagoon on Muri
Beach and get in some sprint racing
or simply sit at the local bar and drink
while your teammates get in some sprint
racing, or lounge on the beach and
watch as the day's shenanigans unfold!
(I wont divulge too much about this
day's events- consider
it 'what happens on
the island- stays on
the island'), or walk
across the lagoon,
dodging flesh-biting
trigger fish, to a little
motu on the reef
side and enjoy some
quiet time; Thursday
April 25, Maui to Molokai
This race has become one of the more popular races of
the season. It's a 26 mile race that can be done with an
escort boat or solo (more fun solo). It starts at Fleming
Beach on Maui and finishes at Kaunakakai on Molokai.
This will be the 8th year that Sharon & Ricky Balidoy
have put this race on, and you only need ask anyone
who has traveled from afar to race as to how much fun it
is. Call Sharon @ 385-3016 for more information.
20 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
prepare for the big race by shopping at local galleries and stores, or
take several around-the-island scooter
rides. A scooter is your primary mode
of transportation; Then race the big
'round-the-island' event on Friday, — a
most spectacular day of beautiful water
racing as ever experienced. Conditions
for our race were perfect! Water was
warm and gentle, sunny day, but not
too hot, and a perfect 9-man distance.
If you want a unique and special
race to round out your outrigger experiences, please be sure to include this
one on your race calendar. You won't
be disappointed.
Cheance Adair
Hilo side of the Big Island
Photos by Margie Kahookele
The Electronic
Age is here. Over
80 Hawaii Island
Paddlesports members
took advantage of
on-line registration,
making race day
a breeze. We also
started the season
with a new electronic
registration and race
timing system. The
big deal about this is
that it makes it easier
for and requires fewer volunteers at
the races.
The '09 paddling season on
Hawaii Island actually started in
late '08 with three pre-season
events, the Abbot Galaher Sea
Man on Nov. 8, the new Try-Go-Athon on Nov. 22 and the JJ Logan
Wa`a Kaukahi on Dec. 6. The late Abbot Galaher was an early member
of Hawaii Island Paddlesports Association
who started this race 11 years ago as a fun
“dust off for the OC-1” after Molokai race
and a benefit for the Food Bank. The TryGo-athon is a new event put on by Cherisse
and Nick Agorastos and Puna Canoe Club
which includes a swim, run and paddle
event held in Hilo. The race was a benefit
to help offset medical bills for canoe builder
Papu Williams. Finally the Wa`a Kaukahi,
sponsored by Sue Lallane from Polynesian
Paddling Products was held in December.
This race was opened up to all age groups
after having been a Masters-and-older only
race since JJ Logan stated the event ten years
ago. Full results for all three of these events
are at hawaiipadddling.com.
The regular season got off to roaring
starts with the 22nd Annual Stan Cann
Classic on Jan. 10 in Hilo. There was a large
number of new paddlers at the first event
and a number of paddlers we haven’t seen
for a few years. This race is usually the race
where many paddlers realize they really
do need to start training. But one paddler
picked up where he left off last year, Nick
Agorastos. The '08 champ took the first race
of '09. On the wahine side, Sheila Cadaoas
kicked off '09 with a win.
The second race of '09, the Keoua
Canoe Club Calvin Kelekolio Race, sched-
uled for January 17th, was
canceled due to high surf
at Honaunau (you don’t see
that very often). Mahalo to
Keoua Canoe Club for the
effort. The Kama`ili Nursery
Poho`iki Challenge will also
not be held in '09 due to
Hawaii County rebuilding
the Poho`iki boat ramp, the
only boat ramp from Hilo
to the north and Ho`okena
all the way around to South
Point.
Also on the water in early '09 is the Big
Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) high
school paddling races. They were also forced
to cancel their January 17th race due to high
surf in Kailua-Kona Bay. We’ll have an update
of high school paddling in the next P.P. Train
hard, be safe, see you at the race.
Randy Botti
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 21
SoCal
We rang in the new year with an
awesome event this past weekend in
Santa Barbara. They had a record
turnout with over 80 on the short
course and another 90 on the long
course.
We closed out '08 with the Becky
Stuart Memorial, which turned out to
be one of the best days of December
for ocean racing, and we were
treated to a free seminar with Karel
Jr. between the day's two races. We
learned a bit about proper surf and
wave riding as well as some 'do as I
say, not as I do' technique guidance,
but hey, if it works, why not mimic it.
Epic Surfski and SD Canoe and
Kayak hosted the Tecolote 5000 event
just before Christmas, and when San
Diego temperatures hit the 50's, we
shivered in our boots. Despite this
there was a good turn out to support
the junior program as well as toy
donations for the Fire Department
Mobile Santa effort.
Keep tabs on the Epic Surfski giveaway as points are accumulated by
the junior surfskiers up and down the
coast, www.eteamz.com/socaloceanracing.
Lots of new faces are turning out
this season in the SUP division. The
October 'Battle of the Paddle' saw
over 200 SUP participants flock to
San Clemente. I'm not surprised at
the growing numbers we have joining
our series. We welcome them along
with the traditional paddle boarders
as well as kayakers and any other
human-powered paddle craft. On
February 7th, we have the Hal
Rosoff Classic at NAC followed by
the Carpet Beach Race in Redondo
hosted by Lanakila on the 21st, then
the Dana Point Ocean Challenge
on March 7th which is the last race
before our Championships on the
21st from Malibu to Marina hosted by
PaddleMe.com. March closes out with
the Catalina Relay on the 29th (www.
oceanohana.com).
Stay tuned for more photos and
updates. Thanks to Brian of hamsterworks.com for the photo coverage.
22 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
Live Like You Paddle
Kialoa's 'Live Like You Paddle' student scholarship is awaiting applicants to
enter for the chance to be one of 10 winners to receive a free Kialoa outrigger
paddle. Students 18-or-under must express how core Hawaiian values are
learned, expressed and enhanced by participating in the ancient sport of
outrigger canoe paddling and racing.
The great thing about this scholarship is that it doesn’t matter how good
you are in school. We’re not going to grade your project on spelling or
grammar and we’re not going to judge your ability to draw or anything like
that. You just have to show us how much you love outrigger and that you
understand how important it is to Hawaiian values like laulima (cooperation), kuleana (responsibility), kokua (helping), ohana (family), and ha’aha’a
(humility).
Visit Kialoa's website to learn how to enter. If you need more information,
e-mail [email protected]. We encourage teachers, coaches and parents to
make sure that students are aware of our scholarship since many may not even
know about the opportunity without your help.
www.hamsterworks.com
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 23
Oahu Interscholastic Association
The Oahu Interscholastic Association
(OIA) was first organized in 1940 with
five rural high schools - Castle, Kahuku,
Leilehua, Waialua and Waipahu. Today
there are twenty-nine member schools
who compete in nineteen different junior
varsity and varsity level sports. Twenty-six
schools were represented at Keehi for the
second outrigger regatta of the 2008-09
season. Paddling was recently added to
the OIA roster after years of efforts by
Na Opio and canoe clubs on Oahu to
help bring Hawaii's state team sport to a
higher competitive level and more recognition from the state of Hawaii. " It's a
wonderful event to get the kids involved
with paddling, keeping them healthy
and introducing them to the state sport
of Hawaii," said OIA AD assigned to
paddling, Lapule Schultz.
Six regattas were planned for the
season culminating with their championships at the end of January, where crews
will be selected to represent Oahu at
the HHSSA Championships on Maui. It's
looking like Kalaheo, Radford, Nanakuli,
Waianae, Leilehua, Moanalua and
Anuenue are the schools with the best
chance to advance to race at the State
Champs. The OIA is organized and run
by volunteers, many from Hui Wa'a,
OHCRA, Na Opio and the paddling
community. Some of the student paddlers
24 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 25
Kids play, Aqua Bebe
26 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
are new to the sport, taking a break from volleyball or football to try something different. Some are already seasoned
competitors.
"It's interesting, because we have a lot of paddlers who
have their own summer clubs and then they race against each
other at their respective high schools. It's a good challenge
with the teams and within the teams," said race director Stan
Dickson. For some, the day is an eye opener. "We have five crews
in this event, which is great for Waipahu," said Deli Oania
who helps out at the races. " Their coaches are awesome;
They make sure the kids not only learn about canoeing but
also responsibility."
It was a big turn out of students and the races ran
smoothly compared to the previous week where wind and
rain conspired together to make for a challenging day out on
the lagoon. It's more about participating," said Laurence Baptisa, head
coach for Kalani School. "You can see how it brings people
together, it's more a family, ohana type sport. I've got kids
of all walks of life, and they're coming down and all pulling
together." He added that it's not a contact sport, and there is
more camaraderie between
clubs because of
this. "Everyone
comes down
here, and we all
have fun. We all
get along, we
have a blast."
Aqua Bebe was invented by Frank Foti, the eldest of the three Foti
Brothers from Kailua, Hawaii. Frank was searching for a fun water toy
for his year old son, but the stores had nothing good to offer, so he
took an old boogie board and cut a hole in the center, stapled some
rubber tire tubes to support the child and went to the beach. His son
loved it and so did everyone who saw it. Frank and his brothers did
a little more research, made a few more samples, added a steering
wheel, made some fun graphics, and trademarked the name which
now has a patent pending.
Kids from infant to six years old love Aqua Bebe. Small babies
can sit in it and play with the steering wheel, study the fun graphics
and enjoy the water without fear of tipping over. The parents feel their
child is safe as the board is very stable, however, without taking their
eye off the child. Parents can tow the baby around the water and the
baby feels like he/she is driving a boat.
As baby becomes a toddler, they increase their usage by using
Aqua Bebes as a swimming aid. The hole in the board allows a place
for the toddler to grab when he/she is leaning to swim. They can
get a firm hand hold unlike
solid topped boards. With
Aqua Bebe, they feel more
confident that the flotation
will not tip over like the inflatable devices. They can learn
to kick by holding the edge
of the hole with their entire
body in the water. They can
lie prone on the board and
kick the water behind, or they
can sit in the hole and kick.
Either way, Aqua Bebe helps
them learn to kick and swim.
They also like to hold the
steering wheel and even honk
the horn. They use the steering
wheel to balance when trying
to stand up. It helps them
develop balance and sense of
centering the body for surfing,
paddling and/or other activities where balance is important.
The older children that
already know how to swim
can use the board for surfing.
However, the advantage over
conventional flat deck boards
is that the steering wheel is
an excellent tool for stability
and security in staying on the
board. The hole is under the
belly and not a hindrance
when surfing. Ultimately, an
adult could take it out and get
some tubes also. Available
online at aquabebe.net.
Interscholastic League of Honolulu
ILH
Photos and report by Peter Caldwell
After several races, Punahou was clearly the
top dog as the buff ‘n blue paddlers were dominate in both boys and girls events. As an example,
on January 10th, racing over a 4-mile course, yellow and blue canoes were in front at the finish in seven out of the nine events
(4 divisions each for boys and girls and one mixed). The following week saw a make–up schedule of races because of an
earlier island-wide blackout cancellation. The weather gods brought choppy, rough conditions, and some crews had a chance
to demonstrate their canoe bailing and huli skills. With two race
sessions to go, crews were scrambling to come up with their best
performances in order to qualify for the up-coming state championships on Maui on February 7th.
28 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 29
Around the Isl. Hong Kong
Nov. 23, 2008
When you think of Hong Kong,
what comes to mind? Incredible food,
amazing shopping, the most impressive skyline in Asia? Anyone visualize
the iconic Victoria Harbor and think of
Outrigger Canoe paddling? Believe it
or not, there is a nascent, but growing
Outrigger Canoe paddling community
in Hong Kong. Thanks in large part to
the efforts of James Shortis, an Aussieborn attorney living and working in
Hong Kong. He has helped bring OC1’s and contemporary six-man canoes
to the island and facilitated the development of our beloved Hawaiian sport
in this exotic and ultra-urban locale. For the past several years, James has
helped create an Outrigger Canoe
division in a prestigious multi-craft race
called the Loro Piana Around the Island
Race. Sponsored by the high-end fashion
label, this race was started as a sailing
race (this year there were more than
300 sailboats of all kinds entered),
and over the last several years, the
Outrigger division has grown to include
more than a dozen teams from Hong
Kong, and entries from Singapore and
Hawaii. Team Hawaii has included
different members around the constant
30 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
of our generous host
James, and each
year has been fortunate to emerge
from the busy harbor waters in first
place (and without infection). This
year there was a significant Kayak
and OC-1 race (which the tireless Mr.
Shortis organized) the day before the
Around the Island Race, a 24km (14.4
mile) race with varied conditions called
the Dragon Run. The Dragon Run
featured big prize money ($20,000
total; $2,500 to OC-1’s, with $1,500
to the OC-1 winner) and attracted the
best kayakers in the world, who were
preparing for the $100,000 race in
Dubai the following weekend, the
richest kayaking event in the series. The lure of prize money along with
a visit to the Outrigger Connection
factory in China, brought Karel Tresnak
Jr. to Hong Kong, and he proceeded
to win the race (and finish an amazing
13th overall), then agreed to steer our
crew the following day. The Around the Island race is a
9-man change race, and is 42km (33
miles). A long race, but an incredible
way to see the island in its entirety. Thanks to the world-class driving of
Karel, and the stellar effort of our
mostly Hawaii-based crew (which
included Rob Kaiwai from New
Zealand, Steve Cole from Kauai, Craig
Gamble, Evan Rhodes, Byron Ho, Dave
Fan, and I from Oahu, along with our
local teammate James), we were able
to enjoy a surprisingly good downwind run, a nice reward after dodging
harbor traffic (they don’t see canoes
often!) and paddling down a neverending corridor of skyscrapers on our
way to victory. While it is a long way to go for a
race, the experience is entirely worthwhile, and I would love to see more
international competition help raise
the profile of this great event. Hong
Kong is a fascinating city, frenetic and
exciting, and is a great jumping off
point for seeing other places in Asia. Having the opportunity to travel thousands of miles away, to the financial
center of Asia, and seeing how excited
our paddling peers in Hong Kong are
about our sport was a reminder of
how lucky we are to share a passion
for our wonderful island pastime and
how rewarding it is to see the sport
spreading across the globe.
By Jed Gushman.
Ke Kai O'Huane Monterey
Sandy beaches, crystal blue water,
breath-taking scenery, and water conditions that can test even the most experienced of crews. How is this different
than any other outrigger canoe race?
Did I mention that the water temperature averages around 55 ºF? The
Monterey Bay, in Central California,
is where Ke Kai O'Uhane Outrigger
Canoe Club has called home for the
past 25 years and where they will host
the 20th annual Memorial Day Hoe
Wa'a May 23 and 24, 2009.
In 1984, Les Charles, Hal
Davenport, and Julian and Shirley
Avilla started an outrigger canoe club
with a purpose to expose people in
Central California to the Hawaiian
culture they grew up with, which
included outrigger canoeing and hula
dancing. They also wanted to create
a club that brought families together
to share in the experiences that come
with paddling and the Hawaiian
culture. As Uncle Les states, "Paddling
is paddling and racing is racing, but
the goal is to bring everyone together
to appreciate and respect each other
and to share in the true meaning of
Aloha. This is just a small part of
being within an Ohana."
After testing the waters for 5 years,
and with much encouragement from
fellow Ke Kai members, the founders
decided to host a long-distance
canoe race and the first Memorial
Day Hoe Wa'a was held in 1989.
Approximately 30 crews participated,
and the race distance was 12 miles
with a beach start and finish. "Water
conditions were ideal, flat like a
table top, with the sun shining. The
ancient art of canoe paddling was
enhanced with every paddler's stroke,"
says Uncle Julian and Aunty Shirley
Avilla. The only two-day event in the
Northern California Outrigger Canoe
Association's spring season now averages 300 - 400 attendees and includes
one-man, two-man, surfski, paddleboard, and kayak races, as well as the
6-man races.
A lot has changed since that first
regatta in 1989: paddling styles,
equipment, and canoe design. The one
thing that has remained constant is the
challenging and unpredictable water
conditions of Monterey Bay. Over the
past 20 years, the crews who have set
out to conquer the Bay have experienced hot and flat, windy and choppy,
big swell, no swell, and sometimes
absolutely perfect conditions.
Although we can't predict what
Mother Nature has in store for this
year's race, we can guarantee that
you will have a great time, make new
friends, enjoy delicious food, and
experience what author Robert Lewis
Stevenson called, "[Monterey] …a
place where there is no summer and
winter, and pines and sand and distant
hills and a bay filled with real water
from the Pacific. You will perceive that
no expense has been spared."
The members of Ke Kai O'Uhane
Outrigger Canoe Club of Monterey
County are very proud of our history,
our accomplishments, and our home.
We look forward to welcoming you,
with Aloha, to Monterey.
For information about the 20th
Anniversary of the Ke Kai O'Uhane
Memorial Day Hoe Wa'a, please visit
their website at www.kekaiouhane.org.
By Dena Jones
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 31
Makahiki @ Makaha
The Makahiki is a time
of play. "The Hawaiians
worked for nine months
of the year, planting and
growing. Then after their
harvest, they could play
for three months," said
Faith Wenzl, Administrative
Director for the ASP in
Hawaii.
"The Makahiki started
15 years ago as a way for
Quiksilver to give thanks
to the people of Makaha,"
said race director Craig
Sitting in seat one, an
Inouye. "We wanted to
unidentified paddler
incorporate a qualifying
contemplates what he's
series for the long boarders getting himself into
because there was none
here in Hawaii. We invited
the top 16 ASP long boarders in Hawaii to come
out and surf with some of the best surfers in
Makaha, and the event grew from there," Craig
said. "It started with long boards, tandem surfing
and canoe surfing." The popular stand-up paddle
division was introduced two years ago, and it has
seen an explosion in interest from paddlers and
surfers alike.
Conditions were ideal with light winds and
6-to-10 foot swells. "As long as the clouds are
in the valley, the sea breeze won't come on too
strong," said retired life guard Teene Froiseth who
had come down to the beach to watch his son
compete.
As the first round got underway, crews looking
to catch an outside break got pounded. "Stay alive
and hang in. It's survival of the fittest," said Alfred
Van Gieson. "Today my strategy is to try to make it
out past the shore break in one piece and make it
back in in one piece. In my heat, there were four
32 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 33
canoes, and out of the four, I was
the only one to survive." Alfred then
spotted one of the paddlers from
another canoe in his heat who 'ate
it'. "I was right in front of you dude,
PUMVPH!" he said smiling. "If you
guys had stayed straight and made
it — money." A cash prize was
awarded to the winners (see results).
Alfred's uncle, Ryan Van Gieson,
who has been canoe surfing for
15 years said they wait all year
to participate in the canoe surfing
events at Makaha.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world,"
he said. "Today is kind of on the
extreme side — it's peaking here
and there. We haven't seen waves
like this for a canoe surfing event in
8-to-10 years. It's been big but not
like this."
Bonga Perkins, who recently won
his second ASP long board world
championships said, "Sitting down
on a canoe the waves seem different,
and being with three other guys and
having one guy pretty much take
control of your fate, that tells you a
lot about how much respect those
three other guys have for you, the
captain… you've got to have some
skills today. We're going to see a lot
of boats go for it. Nobody's going
to hold back." Bonga also competed
in the Stand-up division. "A lot of
surfers, a lot of paddlers are coming
together. Stand-up can define an
individual as not just a surfer or just
a paddler but as a waterman. It's
making both sports one," he said.
Looks like you've got some
fun ones coming off the point
Bonga Perkins
Alfred Van Gieson
Mel Pu'u
34 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
"Everybody's getting waves and everybody's
wiping out," said Katie Slocumb. "There's a really
strong shore break, and there's a lot of current, so
even getting out you have to wait for the right moment,
go sideways along the beach to get out into the
channel and make it outside so you can take some
more punishment," she said.
Knowing how the waves break at Makaha is a big
advantage. "You just have to know where to be to get
the right waves and hopefully it holds up for you, and
you get an exciting ride," said Mel Pu'u. "The biggest
competition for me," said Mel, "it's always myself. I
tend to have too much fun sometimes. The boys will ask
'so what, are we going to play it safe or just go for it?'
And what do you think?" he replies. "It's a make or
break situation with me all the time. We had a lot of
wipeouts." Mel and his crew, Team Quik took first place
and a cash prize of $800.
"Mel's the guy to beat. Everybody wants to take
out Mel. To be the best you have to beat the best,"
said Ryan Van Gieson.
One of Mel's strategies in keeping
his canoe in one piece is to use
rubber to tie his iako down to the
canoe because it tends to give when
he wipes out. A few canoes snapped
their iakos out in the pounding surf.
"It's being in the right place, or the
wrong place at the right or wrong
time," Mel said. "Anybody can
get wiped out and need assistance
in," he added. "It's great to have
Hawaiian water patrol out there."
Despite the threat of getting
pounded, the competitors were eager
to get out and get a rush of adrenaline from a big drop into the pit. It
was a fun day for those on the waves
and those watching the action from
the beach.
Result$
Stand-Up Paddle
1st Kekoa Auwae $400
2nd
Duane DeSoto $200
3rd Sam Pae $150
4th Ikaika Kalama $100
5th Greg Pavao $50
6th Brian Keaulana $50
Canoe
1st Mel Puu Team Quik $800
2nd Kainalu Froiseth Team
Makaha Mafia $400
3rd Keone Keaulana Team
Home Grown $200
4th Brian Keaulana Team
Stunts Unlimited $100
36 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
pacificpaddler.com February ‘09 37
Havaiana Brazil
Kanaloa Canoagem Havaiana
(KANALOA Hawaiian Canoeing),
started in 2003 as a Hawaiian Canoe
School inspired by the Hawaiian
culture. Our clubs are located in the
Santa Catarina Island (south of Brazil)
and Conceição Laguna (Lagoa da
Conceição) in the central east coast of
the island.
Our classes, courses and voyages
are focused on culture and ancestral
values like a halau, a safe space of
respect, equality and family sense
where we can share knowledege,
responsability (kuleana), help (kekua),
cooperation (laulima), pa'ahana
38 February ‘09, Pacific Paddler
(corporal work) and aloha aina, love
for Earth and veneration of all creatures and ancestral spirits.
During the last six years, we have
built good friendships and learned
a lot from our Hawaiian friends and
paddlers. They taught us about aloha
and the ohana. I would like to wish
aloha and mana to Jerry Bess, Bula
Bukani, from Kawaihae Canoe Club
on the Big Island, Steve Blythe, David
and Gisele Horner, Klaus Bollmann
from Kauai, Lopaka White, Hawaiian
Canoe Club Maui, James Derby from
Fort Lauderdale, Thomas 'Maximus'
Shahinian, Team California/Hawaii,
Leon Rossbotham from Hong Kong
Island Paddle Club and Lasse Walker
from Marbella/Spain.
On our island we enjoy lagoons,
open sea, bays, lots of islands, rivers
and 110 beaches along the 130km
of the island coastline. Petroglyphs
that can be found on our coast and
islands show us a legacy of the ancestral island and paddle history from
paddlers who were living here 4,500
years ago.
In 2004 we made two voyages
around the 150km island. The first
attempt resulted in a shipwreck after
110km and eleven hours paddling in
a channel located on the south coast,
Canal dos Naufragados (the Channel
of the shipwreckes). There, we were
caught paddling in 18 foot waves
and 40 knot winds which forced us
to quiet our attempt to paddle around
the island and call in a rescue helicopter. The second attempt, we made
it a three-day trip, camping on remote
islands.
In 2007 and 2008, we built an
OC6 sailing canoe using traditional
Brazilian techniques and materials like
bamboo and biriba wood. Our sails
were made from cotton with 3,000 feet
of ropes for the rigging. In our sailing
canoe we sailed for three days in the
Conceição Laguna. In 2010 we are
planning a more ambitious project, a
8,000 km voyage along the Coast of
Brazil.
In a lot of ways, learning about the
Hawaiian culture through the canoe
has helped us to look at our own
ancestral past and has helped our
souls connect with mother earth and
her creatures, see the father sky, listen
to our elders, a/0umakuas, and honor
our personal time.
Mahalo nui loa ke akua malama
pono. You are all invited to come and
discover our island, our history, people
and mana.
Alexey Bevilacqua, KANALOA
Canoagem Havaiana