Author: kccadmin

This is a highly anticipated race on the Big Island pulling in top paddlers and wannabees to compete in a downwind run along the rough northern point of Hawai’i Island. The forecasts looked like a strong wind system was going to make Keokea to Kapa’a an exciting race.

Unfortunately an hour before the start the water safety team didn’t feel the conditions were safe for everyone due to the strong on-shore push on the first part of the course. Conditions weren’t improved by the low tide and rushing river making entering the ocean at Keokea riskier than normal.

With a promise of a “Bigger and Better” return next year, Eddie called it a day. There were rumors of a underground alternative venue that day and some paddlers debated doing this run unsupported.

Even though the race was called off the money raised by the event went to a Kohala family in need which was a good outcome race or not.

Don’t forget to get your jersey ordered by April 20th.

Everyone’s favorite one-man Hilo race took place Saturday. With strong winds forecast expectations were high, but rain filled clouds put a damper on the trade winds. There were plenty of bumps to ride but it was a technical run. Long course was a little over 10 miles and short course was about 6.

Both courses began at the same time in a back-to-back simultaneous start. Short course sprinted towards Hilo and long course went the opposite way around kings landing out to the black rock about 2 miles away. Kings landing was a challenge with swirling currents, bigger swells and a mix of waves.

Keaukaha paddlers not only packed the short course but also claimed the top spots on both courses. Jose was the first to finish the long course and Kyle was the first OC1 to finish the short course. Lots of KCC paddlers placed well in their divisions too. Great to see everyone out there on our home waters! We have short video included this week complements of Aaron Makaimoku.

• Long Course: Jose, Eric, Kawena
• Short Course: Kyle, Crystal & Tyron, Eha (Jr.), Keahi, Grant, Kawika, Greg, Rodrigo, Kawaipio, Loren, Nate, Gary, Clem, Kwai-Chang, Brandi

With clear skies and a blazing sun the Kawaihae heat was thankfully tempered by a NW breeze and some on-shore chop which welcomed racers on Saturday.

Another clean line on the start line was achieved with both courses starting at the same time and heading north out of the main harbor into the breeze. The threat of a 5 minute penalty from HIPA for over the line early paddlers might have helped.

It was a good race for those skilled at working the waves coming at odd angles as the lead paddlers broke loose from the pack at the turns. Short course ran 7 miles and long course ran for 10.

Congrats to all the OC1 paddlers out there!

Long Course: Tyler (1st OC1 to finish), Eric

Short Course: Kyle, Grant, Greg, Gary, Loren, Jeff, Rodrigo, Kewena, Kawai, Brandi

About 65 canoes set off south Saturday morning with a light breeze, some mixed bumps and plenty of current. The race committed decided to prank the short course paddlers by telling them to stay inside and their turn would be in the bay near the shore. Their turning boat followed the fleet on the inside then took an abrupt 90° turn to cross both the short course and long course paddlers to set their mark outside. Naturally this caused some confusion and a lot of canoes crossing each other. But their 7 mile course and the long course 9.7 mile course didn’t overlap after that due to the currents. The long course had some surprisingly strong currents past that point and no one seemed to escape the struggle easily. Almost all the short course paddlers finished before the long course caught up.

Our open mens paddlers had their #1 seasonal streak broken as no one could make it to this race to represent. In fact, the turn out was pretty low for this race possibly due to spring break vacations. Good work to the paddlers who came out and battled their way though the current streams and heat. Lots of paddlers placing on this race.

Long Course: Kyle, Keola, Eric

Short Course: Grant, Rodrigo, Loren, Gary, Kawai

The Four Seasons Resort held their 1st regatta for OC1/OC2 canoes on an early Saturday morning. There was a high surf warning and most paddlers were unfamiliar with this section of coast line. There was some early speculation about how to get across the shallow rocks during the lulls. But this well staffed and organized event came prepared to offer valet canoe launches.

About 12 people formed a fire-bucket-brigade style line to pass canoes over the shallow rocks. Paddlers would just carry their canoe to the start of the line, then proceed around the shore to a entry path that was lined with sandbags to protect your feet. At the end of the path you waded out and your canoe was served to you ready to paddle.

The start line was about 1 a mile warm up to the north, then south about 5 miles and another 4.5 back to the finish.

With this prize list, paddlers brought their A-Game:

• 1st Place, OC1 Menʻs and Womenʻs Overall – each will receive a two night stay at the Resort (including room, taxes, parking & $250 per day for expenses) plus $500 cash
• 2nd Place, OC1 Menʻs and Womenʻs Overall – each will receive a dinner for 4 at Ulu Ocean Grill
• 3rd Place, OC1 Menʻs and Womenʻs Overall – each will receive a dinner for 4 at Beach Tree
• 1st Place, OC2 Menʻs (or Mixed) and Womenʻs Overall – each will receive a dinner for 4 at Hualālai Grill

Registration was capped at 100 and filled up within a few hours. Lots of Keaukaha Paddlers came out for this race with some short course paddlers trying the longer distance for the first time.

Congrats to both Jose (1st) and Kama (3rd) who put in some wicked fast times along with Tyler (4th). It was almost a Keaukaha shut out. And excellent paddling to everyone who came out for a challenging race including one of our Jr.’s Eha who took 1st V1 and was the 4th Jr. overall. For several paddlers it was their first time doing a long course.

Racers: Jose, Kama, Tyler, Kyle, Keola, Eha, Eric, Grant, Loren, Rodrigo, Gary, Kawai, Kwai-Chang, Warren

There was a lot of video and photography at this event, so we’ll post a follow up with some of that.

Also don’t forget to order your 2022 Jersey!

Saturday’s sunrise reviled a clear day in Honaunau with a light NW breeze and some NW swell rolling into the shore. To the dismay of some, the close out sets over the rocky reef exit wasn’t something they wanted to test their expensive carbon fiber canoes on. A few paddlers awed by the larger sets decided not to race. Others grit their teeth and tried their best to time their exits and entrances. Out of about 60 or so canoes about 5 found rocks. The start was slightly delayed as the jet ski assisted bringing a canoe or two back inside the channel.

There was a single start horn and the paddlers sprinted north riding some reflected bumps and looking for current pushes as the ocean tides created a variety of confusing surface streams.

Tyler was the first OC1 to finish on the long course and Kyle being the 3rd OC1 overall and we had many KCC paddlers placing. Great paddling!

Long: Tyler (1st OC1 overall), Kyle, Eric

Short: Grant, Jeff, Loren, Gary, Kawai (1st in Division), Warren

Light NW winds and little bumps were running for the race on Saturday. Long course was about 9 miles running from Honokohau Marina north and back and the short course was about 5 miles long.

Jose, Tyler and Kama were among the top 4 individual finishers on the long course and on the short course we had Eha as the 2nd individual finisher but the first Junior. Great paddling! And good job to all those out there on the course!

Long Course: Jose (1st OC1 overall), Tyler, Kama (1st V1), Kyle, Keola

Short Course: Eha (1st Jr., ), Grant (Div. 1st), Gary, Kawai, Warren

Don’t miss the Keōua Kupuna Memorial this coming weekend! Check out the schedule and sign up here.

A calm day with a light northerly swell met a packed field of paddlers on Saturday the 12th. This race has a few options, you can do half the course and tag a partner to do the second half, you can iron it and still tag a partner to do a leg or you can just power the full race solo.

Long course was 10 miles and the short course was 8 miles. You could either do half or iron the full course. We had an impressive top showings from our open men and a relay on the long course and division dominance on the short course. Congrats! Everyone managed top placings.

Long Course: Jose (1st OC1), Tyler (2nd OC1), Kama (1st V1), Kyle (and partners, 1st mix OC2)

Short Course: Grant (division 1st), Kawai (division 1st)