Saturdays last pre-season race on Dec. 4th was a dreary Kona morning with no wind and cold rain. Hilo’s weather was the subject of plenty of jokes.
The course was changed to run south with some wind blown swell that was left over from the channel to the north. Only a light breeze filtered down the shore. The short course was a 5 mile run past Keahuolu Point and back followed by the long course was a 7 mile paddle which of course meant somewhere around 8.5 miles.
Keaukaha paddlers made a good showing of force with impressive top showings on the long course by Jose, Aaron and Tyler. Eha on the short course had his ama fail and had to abandon the race unfortunately. But it’s a reminder to all of us to keep a close eye on our gear as it takes a beating out there.
Special mention goes to Brandi who didn’t let a little thing like pregnancy slow her down from getting some exercise out on the water.
Long Course: Jose, Aaron, Tyler, Jordan “Kama”, Keahi, Kyle, Ryan “Kawika”, Eric, James, Rodrigo
The one and two man canoe race held on Nov. 27 as a charity for the Hayward Ohana was well attended. There was a large fleet of 13 OC2’s and even a 2-surfski on the water. Due to the small southerly swell crossing the reef, the race officials changed the buoy can race to an out and back course starting and finishing inside the hot harbor.
HIPA probably set a record for the most controlled start line because the previous race was a little out of control and had a 1/4 mile rolling start before they just gave up and blew the start horn. This race the large group of paddlers sat in a nice line and waited for the horn to blow. Some waited more patiently than others, but no one was pushing forward.
Both the short course (3 miles) and the long course (6 miles which magically grew to almost 8 miles) headed north out of the harbor with the short course paddlers turning at 1.5 miles around a buoy inside near the shore. The 2 man OC2’s established a dominate role at the front of the pack but we had two individual Keaukaha paddlers contending for the lead against them:
Tyler hammered out a 6th over all (3rd if you discount the 2 man canoes) placing 2nd in class to Keakua Nolan with less than 1 minute time gap on the long course.
Eha Kiyuna (Jr. V1) managed to fight off a lot of adult paddlers on the short course and true to his namesake got 4th overall (3rd ignoring the 2 man in 1st) with less than 20 seconds behind the first one man to finish making 1st in his division.
Congratulations to all the Keaukaha paddlers out there on the pre-season races. Remember there’s another race Dec. 4th. So you still have a chance to burn off all those holiday calories! Registration for that race is open now:
It was a calm day with two out and back courses of 3 and 5 miles with the proceeds going to the Hawai’i Food Bank. These pre-2022 season races are a great way to get motivated for the upcoming race season. Congratulations to Kyle and Rodrigo for placing on the long course!
There will be another race the Beanie Heen Memorial at Kawaihae on November 27th and if you miss that there’s a race planned on Dec. 4th, the Pa’akai Paddles race at Honokohau Harbor.
There will be a benefit race for the Hawaii Food Bank in Keauhou with both a long course (5 miles) and a short course (3 miles). It’s on the 13th of this month. There will also be a second race on the 27th, but no details are published yet.
This is a fun race to help you start thinking about the 2022 paddling season and a way to get yourself motivated and out of the Covid slump.
With Covid shutting down our six man season and one man season starting in a few months, some paddlers started to up their fishing game during the between seasons.
Powerhouse Paddler or Powerhouse Fisherman?
Jeff was out in his V1 fishing for a bite and got more than he expected. While he was paddling along some of the known active spots he turned from Honoli’i towards the light on the breakwall. The swell was slapping the ama and the current was flooding out. The combination made for a pretty easy trolling speed around 4.5 mph.
While nearing the center channel Jeff had a huge hit on his line and it started taking up line. Just as he started to deal with the fish he noticed the tug and tow exiting the bay and heading in his direction. So he started to paddle to clear the channel but the fish had other plans.
Stopping to fight it and reel it in gave the tug plenty of time to get to ramming speed. Jeff waved his paddle in the air with one hand and the rod in his other as the tug kept moving in his general direction. The current was also causing him to drift and the combination of waves and current made it feel like the tug was coming for his fish.
Fortunately the tug captain must have seen the situation and had set his course to slightly to the side Jeff was drifting away from so as he came about 50 feet they passed without incident and Jeff got his first glimpse of a yellow fin through the water!
After some more struggling, he managed to get it under the ‘iako and then barehanded the fish by the tail and pulled it into the V1 where it proceeded to pound out a Tahitian style drum solo on the hull.
Using some rubber straps he managed to tie up the tail and secure it to a ‘iako for the paddle back and used pliers to pry out the hook. But the ahi wanted back in the water and let everyone within earshot of Jeff’s V1 know it.
The hammering continued causing other paddlers on shore came over to see why his V1 was making so much noise.
The final stats: 38″ and 23 pounds.
Everyone is invited to stop by the Hālau on Sunday to wish Jeff a Happy Birthday, go for a paddle and pick up some fish around 12:00 noon.This is not a club event and don’t forget to practice safe distancing and take all the necessary covid precautions.
Denis is selling sold his Scorpius XM. Great shape. No repairs. No leaks. New cables. New leash. Maui built. $3k or make offer.
If you would like his contact information, just contact the club and we will help you get in touch with him. Please mention Scorpius XM or Denis in the message.
Everyone has to register their own crew and pay on-line for this race.
Registration For Kamehameha Canoe Club Hilo’s OC6 long distance race on August 7th is now open. To register your crew please click on the following link:
Scroll down to Personal Information and enter your first and last name. Choose next and then choose the division(s) you are registering crews for. Payment will be collected via the online registration.
The Jr. paddling program will be temporarily suspended for at least 2 weeks starting next week, June 28th, because Keahi will be traveling until approximately mid July. If you were planning on helping or practicing with them just know there will be hiatus next week and we’ll announce when the program will restart.
Da Hui Paddle Race
Da Hui race normally held on north shore of Oahu is coming to Big Island July 4th. Open to just about every type of watercraft from SUP to OC6. If you’re ready to paddle, pick the 5 mile or 10 mile course and go hammer. They usually have great prizes and it should be a fun event. Register and get the details here: http://dahuipaddlerace.dahui.com/news/
Kai ‘Opua Scrimmage
The July 3 OC6 scrimmage is open for registration too. It’s fun, it’s free (they accept donations naturally) and a great build up to Queen Liliuokalani Race. https://www.kaiopua.org/race-series-info.asp
Moku has now officially opened long distance racing and this is the current race schedule (this is in addition to the Kai ‘Opua scrimmages and Aloha Unlimited Relays discussed in the previous post).
Still unknown is 9/11 Pailolo Challenge Race, but Molokai Hoe and Na Wahine O Ke Kai are officially cancelled.
OC1 Practice and help with keiki
Keahi is inviting anyone who wants to do some beginning to intermediate level paddling to join the kids group Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the water. They will start at Palekai (aka. Radio Bay) at 4pm so you can meet them outside of Palekai along the wall around 4, or you can catch up with them when they pass the bayfront halau. While you’re out there, you can help keep an eye on the kids and make sure everyone stays safe, yourself included.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4pm on the water outside Palekai or 5pm on the water outside the main Halau.
