Click on the cover to see the digitized edition

Na Wahine O Ke Kai
Molokai Hoe
Harrison 'Beanie' Lono Heen
What is tradition?
Paddling Scholarship
SoCal Ocean Racing
Another Dam Race
Canadian National Sprint Champs
Keeping your muscles limber
Canoe surfing challenge

"It was really rough and sloppy, just a lot of stuff coming left-to-right, right-to-left. Lucky the current and wind was pushing us the whole way."
- Molokai Hoe

On the cover Harrison 'Beanie' Lono Heen

2012 IVF World Outrigger Sprint Due Dates
The 2012 IVF World Outrigger Sprint Championships is August 11 thru 15, 2012 in Calgary, Canada. An intent to participate is due October 31, 2011. Information submitted will be used to help in the planning and organization of the Hawaii trials, which will be held on Sunday, January 15 at Keehi Lagoon. The intent to participate fee is $100.00 per Club/Team and $10.00 for each V1 paddler. Trial registration deadline is November 30 with a fee of $30.00 per paddler/person. Late trial registration fee $50.00 per paddler/person.
After the Hawaii Trails, the Hawaii area coordinator will notify each club/team or individual of the results and final payment. The final registration fee is due January 31. Only those who qualify for Hawaii's allotted lanes will be notified. It is mandatory that all Hawaii clubs, teams and paddlers wear the Hawaii Racing Jersey. Hawaii Delegation T-shirts are recommended.
Final registration fee is $60.00 per paddler plus Hawaii Racing Jersey and delegation tee shirt for $45.00.
All forms and payments should be sent to: Luana Froiseth
791 Sunset Ave
Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
Email: LuanaFroiseth@AOL.com
or phone 808-732-2639(H) or 808-330-4774.
Make all payments to: HCRA – World Sprints. All payments are non- refundable.

Na Wahine O Ke Kai

>>See this story along with photos in the digitized edition of Pacific Paddler >>

On September 23rd, 72 crews raced across the Kaiwi Channel in the 33rd Annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai. Paddlers from Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, California and throughout Hawaii converged on Molokai for this annual 'Rite of Passage'. Defending champion Team Bradley were there to defend their title and edge closer to matching the success of Offshore from California who had dominated the race in years past with nine Na Wahine channel wins including six in a row. Team Bradley who had also won six-in-a-row were hoping to make this year seven, but the Waikiki Beach Boys who had been hot on their tails the last three 'Na Wahine' races and who had also won all the races leading up to this race were poised to make this race their own.

Race day morning was perfect. The weather was ideal and the mood was upbeat. One team spontaneously broke out into dance as race organizers pumped out the tunes over the PA system. After the pule and group hug, the canoes were launched and crews paddled out to the staging ground and lined up for the start of the race. As the line of canoes approached the starting line, officials confirmed no one was over the line and the horn signaling the start of the race blasted while the starter raised the green flag. Suddenly 432 paddles stared digging into the water as the crews raced off towards their first change just outside of Laau Point.

After the first change, Waikiki Beach Boys took a slightly northerly track and Team Bradley more southerly. The Beach Boys took the lead and Team Bradley moved to cover them. Team Hui Nalu, the Canadian Sprint Team, and a 40s Master crew, Island Connection, were all in hot pursuit. As the leaders approached Oahu, it was clear the Waikiki Beach Boys were in the lead, and at Maunalua Bay they moved inside while team Bradley stayed out. As the Beach Boys approached Diamond Head Buoy, they were in a perfect spot to keep their lead as Team Bradley had to cover extra ground to work back north to the finish at Duke Kahanamoku Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The 'Beach Girls' finished in 5:25:02, slightly shy of the record set by Team Bradley of 5:22:05 in 2008. Team Bradley took second with 5:26:58 followed by Hui Nalu in 5:38:47. The Canadian Sprint Team, who included some novice paddlers was 4th with 5:41:50. Taking first place in the Masters 40 was Island Connection who were made up of paddlers from New Zealand and Hawaii; they finished 5th overall in 5:46:10. Oceans Ten, paddlers from Canada and California finished in the 'Top 10' and 2nd in the Masters 40 to cross the finish in 5:54:55. Kailua Canoe Club placed third in the 40+ with 6:07:31 and also took first in the Masters 50+ with a time of 6:12:16. Outrigger placed second in the 50's, 6:17:47 and Keauhou 3rd in 6:21:53. Hui Lanakila won the Koa Division, 6:06:11, Lanikai Canoe Club second, 6:20:16 and Outrigger 3rd, 6:25:25.