Keaukaha Canoe Club - Hilo Hawaii Paddling Club on the Big Island

The overall results from the 2022 HIPA races for the final standings for the season based on points is out. They also published some photos from the Yamagata Race and I’ve put a few of our paddler’s photos on here.

It was a great season with lots of races, and when it comes to accumulating points you’ve got to get out on the race course as much as possible. To qualify you have to do at least 4 races in the same course length and division. Let’s get more club members out on the course. It’s a great leaning experience and excellent training – not to mention fun.

LONG COURSE PADDLERS

M-OPEN: Tyler placed 1st and managed to nudge out Jose (2nd) for the top OC1 Open spot with a mere 1 point separation between them. And right behind them was Kama in 3rd who was unable to make as many races.

M-40’s: Kyle racked up a 4th overall even though he and Keola only made it to about 1/2 the season’s races. Keola ranked 10th and saw great time gains throughout his first long course season.

M-50’s: Eric was 2nd

SHORT COURSE PADDLERS

W-40’s: Kawai crushed it in 1st

M-50’s: Grant took 1st followed by Rodrigo in 2nd

M-60’s: Jeff took 3rd followed by Garry in 5th and Warren in 6th. (Unfortunately either there was an error or Greg didn’t do enough races to qualify).

M-Novice: Loren took 2nd which is a great way to start OC1 racing!

Mix-OC2: Tyron & Crystal hammered to 2nd

YAMAGATA PHOTOS

You can see more on the HIPA Results page: https://hipa.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=39669&module_id=506368

Overcast skies and a light south wind had Hilo paddlers glad they weren’t going to face Kona temperatures for this end of season race. Due to the smaller turn out the race committee decided to move the 14 mile paddlers to the 10 mile course (which was actually about 9 Hilo miles).

There was a 6 mile short course from the Kona pier and everyone else started at Honokohau Harbor and went south to Keauhou. Unwary paddlers starting on the outside were met with strong current off the start line while those on the inside slipped away quickly.

The first 5 miles had a strong current but it slowly ebbed and became more neutral. Jose hammered out a solid lead and finished first overall in 1:20.22 averaging about 6.5mph. Since it’s the last OC1 race of the year, it was good to see a strong Keaukaha showing among the 56 canoes out on this longer race.

Long: Jose, Tyler, Tyron & Crystal, Eric, Greg, Grant, Jeff, Lauren, Kawena, Kawai, Brandi

Short: Warren

Keep training. November OC1 races will be here before you realize it.

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!

Short Sleeve 2022 Jersey (Preorder)